Doug's Blog
including "Doug was Built not Born"
The Negativity Bias: We Only Hear When Things Break
I recently debated upgrading my MacBook from Sequoia to Tahoe. Like many IT professionals, my standard operating procedure is to wait out the initial release (26.0) and hold off until the first major patch (26.1) ensures stability. When I looked for community...
Sending a Fax isn’t Secure
It's totally amazing. I needed to forward a somewhat sensitive document electroncially the other day. It's amazing we, as a culture, still think faxing is secure. Well, I could say, all things equal, faxing "may" be more secure than email. Maybe. Years ago, fax...
Verdin/ISABPS – The Pivoting Point to my Career
🚀 How I Became one of the Navy's Top SME My Navy career began with specialized training in electronics and cryptographic equipment, leading to my first assignment at a critical communications station in Scotland. I was assigned to Technical Control, the hub for the...
My Journey in Amateur (Ham) Radio
I earned my Amateur (Ham) Radio license when I was stationed in Maine. Cell phones weren't really a thing back then, and it was rural country out there. The local community was great there and belonging to the local club offered a means to meet others. In the course...
Passed the CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA) Exam
Took and passed the exam. It was tough, but it was what I expected. I submitted my resume and certs since to the CyberAB. Pending the issuer to review my package and issue my certification. How did I study? I used the training material I received from Edwards via...
Don’t be afraid to change your mind
I spent my military career specializing in communications, and you’d think that would be the natural path to follow once I retired. But it wasn’t. By the time I transitioned out of active duty, I was ready for something completely different. I earned an MBA in Finance...
My Path Into Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
How did I learn and get experience in Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC)? I supported US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for many years. Inside and outside the Headquarters. The security on the communications systems is very secure and undergoe routine risk...
From Shortwave Radios to Cybersecurity Signals: A Lesson in Global Awareness
I’m going to date myself here — but stay with me. It’s a good one. My first duty station was in northern Scotland, toward the end of the Cold War. The U.S. Naval Communications Station there served as a strategic post near what was then the Soviet Union. This was an...
Moving On to New Opportunities
Nine years ago (Halloween 2016) I submitted my two-week notice to an organization I worked at for nine years. The new job paid more, but that wasn’t the reason. I moved on for a new opportunity. More specifically – professional growth. I left a hybrid job (before that...
Sticking Your Neck Out – In This Case CMMC
When I was off work earlier this year due to DOGE contract reductions, I searched for W2 work as many like me do/did. I also sought new opportunities, figuring now might be a good time to pivot to something new, or more in demand compared to project management....