Nicholas Vidal
Aspiring
Incident Response Consultant
(Ransomware Focus)

18+ years of experience in IT for the Department of Defense.
Ready to conquer the next Cyber frontier.

My Journey to Becoming a Incident Response Consultant

I wanted to share an exciting update on my career journey. While I initially set out to become a cloud solutions architect, I've recently found a new passion that has steered me in a different direction. My focus has now shifted towards the blue team side of cybersecurity, with a particular emphasis on Ransomware Incident Response and Digital Forensics.

As I've delved deeper into this field, I’ve discovered a strong drive to protect organizations from cyber threats, especially the ever-growing threat of ransomware. While I’ve enjoyed practicing my red teaming and ethical hacking skills, I believe that the real game-changer lies in defense—stopping threats before they can cause harm.

I'm currently building a specialized portfolio that documents my journey toward becoming a leading expert in Ransomware Incident Response and Forensics. On this platform, I’ll be sharing projects and insights as I enhance my skills in areas like incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics.

This shift in focus doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned my original goals entirely; rather, I’m adapting to where my true interests lie and where I feel I can make the most impact. My aim is to become a trusted advisor and leader in defending against ransomware and other cyber threats.

I hope my journey inspires and motivates others who are exploring their own paths in cybersecurity. Thank you for following along with me, and I’m excited to see where this specialized pathway will take me!

Work History

I am an experienced IT professional skilled in cybersecurity with 18+ years of experience managing and maintaining DoD IT systems. I have a proven track record in implementing changes, providing real-time IT support, and developing and integrating communications and cyber systems. With a TS/SCI clearance and IT project management experience, I am seeking a career transition to cybersecurity through the Skillbridge program to help organizations defend against cyber threats.

And let's not forget

My Future Goals

This area will be my space to document my journey toward becoming a specialized expert in blue team cybersecurity, with a strong focus on defensive strategies. My goal is to inspire others who are pursuing a career in cybersecurity by sharing my experiences and projects in areas like ransomware incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics. I also hope this site serves as a roadmap for others, offering motivation and guidance as they navigate their own paths in this dynamic field