Operations Professional | Aspiring Pentester

HI, I'M JOHAN
TRANSITIONING FROM
FARM OPERATIONS TO
TECH INFRASTRUCTURE

10+ years managing systems and solving problems. Now deploying infrastructure, learning Python and cybersecurity, with the goal of becoming a penetration tester and ethical hacker.

From Managing Operations to Building Technology

I bring a unique perspective: 10+ years of operations experience combined with growing cybersecurity expertise. My goal is to become a penetration tester and ethical hacker—securing systems by thinking like an attacker.

24
Docker Services Running
10+
Years Experience
99%
Homelab Uptime

About Me

For over 10 years, I managed agricultural operations—troubleshooting equipment, leading teams, and solving complex problems under pressure. Now I'm applying that same hands-on approach to technology.

I've deployed and maintain a complete homelab infrastructure with 24 Docker services. I'm learning Python through practical projects. I understand Linux, networking, and security fundamentals.

What makes me different: I don't just know theory—I've built real systems that run 24/7. I've recovered from failures, optimized performance, and maintained production infrastructure. That's hands-on experience you can count on.

Career Direction

🎯 Becoming a Penetration Tester & Ethical Hacker

My goal is to transition into cybersecurity, specifically penetration testing and ethical hacking. I'm building the foundation through hands-on practice, certifications, and real-world security implementations.

Current Focus:

Why I'm a Good Fit for Security:

My operations background gives me a unique advantage—I understand how systems actually work in production, how they fail, and how to think like both a defender and an attacker. I approach security with a problem-solver's mindset and hands-on experience maintaining real infrastructure.

Skills & Technologies

Infrastructure

  • Docker & Container Management
  • Linux System Administration
  • Raspberry Pi Deployment
  • Network Configuration
  • System Monitoring (24/7)

Programming

  • Python (Learning & Growing)
  • Bash Scripting
  • Git & Version Control
  • Command Line Tools
  • Automation Scripts

Security & Ethical Hacking

  • Studying for CompTIA Security+
  • Learning Penetration Testing
  • Ethical Hacking Fundamentals
  • Pi-hole DNS Filtering
  • WireGuard VPN Setup
  • UFW Firewall Config
  • Fail2Ban Protection
  • Network Security Basics

Operations

  • Problem Solving
  • Team Leadership (10+ years)
  • Systems Maintenance
  • Independent Work
  • Process Optimization

What I've Built

Cybersecurity Learning Lab

Vulnerable Applications & Security Practice | 2024-Present

Running intentionally vulnerable applications in isolated homelab environment for hands-on security testing and learning. Practicing penetration testing techniques, exploit development, and security assessments in a safe, controlled environment.

Applications: DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application), WebGoat, Juice Shop, and other intentionally vulnerable targets for ethical hacking practice.

Learning: Web application vulnerabilities, OWASP Top 10, SQL injection, XSS, authentication bypass, privilege escalation, and security tool usage (Kali Linux, Burp Suite, nmap).

Personal Homelab Infrastructure

24 Docker Services | Raspberry Pi 4 | Production Environment

Deployed and maintain complete homelab infrastructure running 24/7. Includes Pi-hole blocking 101,000+ malicious domains daily, WireGuard VPN for secure remote access, comprehensive monitoring with Uptime Kuma and Grafana, and 19 additional services for automation and self-hosting.

Technologies: Docker, Linux (Ubuntu), Raspberry Pi, Pi-hole, WireGuard, Grafana, Prometheus, Portainer, UFW, Fail2Ban

Key Achievement: Maintained 99%+ uptime while recovering from major system failures independently.

Python Learning & Automation

Ongoing Self-Study | 2024-Present

Learning Python through hands-on projects and practical application. Building automation scripts, working with APIs, file processing, and data manipulation. Focus on solving real problems with code.

Approach: Learn by doing—not just tutorials. Build things that solve actual problems, break them, fix them, and understand how they work.

Let's Work Together

Open to entry-level cybersecurity roles, penetration testing internships, security analyst positions, and infrastructure roles with security focus. Actively studying for Security+ certification. Let's connect!