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My name is Nasreen Belfon, a mum to two amazing kids, married to an incredibly supportive husband. I'm an avid reader (actual books; I like the smell), obsessed with Sip and Paints, mainly the sipping, cooking, and working out. Starting this blog is a full-circle experience. It's a way for me to share my knowledge and insights, including the mistakes I've made and how they've helped me grow. This field is vast, and I'm still on my cybersecurity journey, and I'm always eager to learn more.

My journey began in South Africa, where I initially pursued graphic design and fashion. While my dreams of conquering New York Fashion Week didn't pan out, I found my true calling in the world of technology. I moved to the United States, earned an Associate's degree in Cybersecurity, and dove headfirst into certifications. I then started working as a bright-eyed Cybersecurity Intern, leveled up to IT Analyst, Switched gears to Network Security Analyst and hung out in the SOC (Security Operations Centre) as an Analyst.In all these roles, I've gotten my hands dirty with all sorts of stuff. Keeping an eye on networks , diving into security investigations, teaching people how not to click on those phishy emails, playing around with cool security tools, making sure everything's patched up tight, writing playbooks (like recipes, but for cyber-stuff), helping out with audits (not as boring as it sounds, promise!), and poking around systems to find their weak spots.I've collected a bunch of certifications along the way - Comptia A+, Network+, Security+, CYSA+, Pentest, CEH, CRISC, CISM and CISSP. 

My background in fashion might not be the typical path to cybersecurity, but it proves that breaking into this industry is possible with the right skills and determination. I've worked my way up from Analyst to Senior Cybersecurity Engineer, gaining valuable experience in various roles. Some questions I've been asked along my journey :
What certifications should I pursue?
How do I start a career in cybersecurity?
Is coding or programming necessary?
What roles are available?
How can I gain hands-on experience?
What skills are essential to get a head start in this industry?

We can work on answering these and more together!​

I'll also debunk misconceptions and provide practical advice based on my own experiences, as well as posting articles that delve into both the fundamentals of networking(back to basics) to best practices for creating robust cybersecurity programs. Remember, don't let gatekeepers discourage you. Trust your gut, network, and ask questions!