Network Security

Welcome! I am a network security student passionate about designing, documenting, and testing network security tools. My focus is on creating security policies and architectures to strengthen network defenses.

My Projects

Here is a small collage of the projects I have completed. This work has given me valuable insights that I can apply to future endeavors. I created network maps using Cisco Packet Tracer and conducted an in-depth analysis of a criminal desktop with FTK Imager and Autopsy. Additionally, I have begun my journey towards integrating renewable energy in my SIP Project, focusing on heat and cryptocurrency miners.

System Administration Final Project - Cisco Packet Tracer

The primary objective of this final project was to establish a Windows/Azure Active Directory and Domain Services environment by modeling the IT environment. The image included illustrates our network diagram for the Phoenix office location.

Student Innovation Project - ThermoPower

This is my Student Innovation Project, which aims to create renewable energy by harnessing the heat produced by cryptocurrency miners. The plan for this project is to use a Peltier thermoelectric generator to convert the emitted heat from the cryptocurrency miners into electricity. This approach utilizes the feedback effect to generate power from the heat.

Digital Forensics Project

In this project I was tasked as forensics investigator to take a file system and scan the drive to find evidence that would be used in a formal legal case. I then summarize it in a report to be given to lead investigator.
The main tool I used for this project was Autopsy and FTK imager to scan and find information on the suspect drive.

About me

My name is Nickolaus Grant

Hello, my name is Nickolaus Grant. I am a student at the University of Advancing Technology, majoring in Network Security. My passion for technology and helping people has led me to pursue a career in problem-solving, which I find both fun and engaging.

During my time at school, I have developed a variety of skills, including system administration, Cisco Packet Tracer, and creating security plans, among others. As a novice network security student at UAT, I am enthusiastic about network design, installing network devices, and securing networks. I am currently seeking an entry-level position where I can apply my skills in the industry.

Contact Me

Community Statement

Throughout my time at the University of Advancing Technology, going through my journey in Network Security, I have searched to expand my learning beyond the classroom to apply my skills in real-world scenarios. My goal is to use the skills that I learned throughout the countless projects that I have been a part of to give back to communities professionally and locally. Speaking of these communities, one key community is UAT. This includes the students, professors, and the faculty, are individuals that I can collaborate and create wonderful projects. During my time here at UAT, I have worked on projects that contribute to researching security strategies to prevent ransomware for a business and in recent times, have been able to work with groups of students in creating an incident response plan for our fake financial IT support business called Sentinel Shield. These lessons will prepare me for the professional projects that I will undertake within my industry.

Beyond my time at the University of Advancing Technology, I have been interning with a small business called IxTech, which is a small business that manufactures cases using 3D printing materials and produces Bitaxe devices, a small crypto miner that I have used in my SIP called Thermopower. I currently work as a researcher to help them provide information to integrate their displays as I work on troubleshooting small faulty Bitaxe devices. This internship alone provides me with hands-on experience with problem-solving and understanding the troubles of small technology manufacturers. At IxTech I can strengthen my technical skills and be active with a community of small businesses that at innovating crypto miners and 3D printing.

In recent times I am currently creating this website to showcase my portfolio projects, which includes projects that I worked on during my time at UAT. This website serves as a place that will hold my projects during my academic time at UAT with my journey with Network Security. These projects will include network infrastructure design documents, research and development of security standard practices, and documentation of legal and ethical practices within Network Security. I believe that making this knowledge more accessible can further contribute to the larger community of individuals who are curious about learning Network Security and there fundamentals.

With my academic and local communities being met, I want to expand further and be able to interact with professionals in my field. I want to integrate myself into an organization like the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA). This community provides constant continuous learning, networking, and professional development. I plan to contribute to this event by applying the skills I have learned and using them in their Capture the Flag competitions. I will be able to apply the skills I have learned and gained and still learn the perspective challenges I will be facing with in this industry.

In conclusion, my engagement with students at UAT, my internship with IxTech to promote small business, and the professional associates to give back to this community with my knowledge and skills given through my academic journey. To bridge the gap between thermotical systems, I apply security solutions to foster teamwork and practical business solutions. As I grow within this communities, I will dedicated my time to further enhance and strength the digital for generations to come to promote awareness and defense.

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