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Darnell Keith 1b60edd26a Update README.md		2025-07-10 17:27:36 +00:00
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README.md	Update README.md	2025-07-10 17:27:36 +00:00

README.md

Hi, I'm Darnell!

Security Engineer

About Me

My name is Darnell Keith, and I am an aspiring security professional and Navy veteran with a strong background in IT, sales, and e-commerce. What drew me to cybersecurity was the same curiosity I had as a kid—taking things apart to see how they worked, then putting them back together. That habit evolved into a passion for understanding and securing systems.

I believe security professionals shouldn't be confined to a single discipline—true understanding comes from a holistic view of how systems interact. I learn, build, and operate with that mindset every day.

📖 Background

Things started early as a teen in the mid-90s—taking things apart to see how they worked, spending hours on IRC and Microsoft ILS servers, and yes... sharing Back Orifice files (if you know, you know). That curiosity never left.

Serving aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, a steam-powered aircraft carrier, taught me discipline, structure, and how complex systems operate under pressure. After the Navy, I explored IT, sales, and eventually built and ran my own e-commerce businesses, incorporating two things I'm passionate about: fitness and tech.

Those experiences shaped how I think about security: layered, resilient, and people-centered. I eventually shifted toward cybersecurity, with strong interests in network security and identity and access management. These days, I've developed an appreciation for all areas of cybersecurity, but I find the most enjoyment in building and configuring systems.

I'm committed to learning constantly and building secure systems.

🧭 Why This Portfolio Exists

In most careers, you earn your degree, get certified, and find a job to grow your skills. In cybersecurity, job hunting itself has become the job—you're expected to build a brand, showcase work, post content, and market yourself online. That is close to running a business.

This portfolio is dual purposed—it's a space to document my progression, share labs and projects (some inspired by real questions from Discord), and lay the groundwork for something bigger.