From Heavy Machines to Secure Networks: Bringing a Hands-On Approach to Cybersecurity

From machinery to security, engineering resilient digital solutions.

About Me

Overview

I’m Zachary Nicholas, a multidisciplinary problem solver blending mechanical expertise, cybersecurity operations, and backend development into secure, scalable solutions. My journey spans Marine Corps service, academic rigor, technical certifications, and hands-on experimentation — all driven by curiosity and precision.

Military Experience

  • Troubleshooting mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems
  • Overhauling engines, powertrains, and hydraulic pumps
  • Managing inventory and parts records via GCSS-MC and Excel
  • Supervising junior mechanics and documenting equipment conditions
  • Utilizing technical manuals for accurate task execution

Key Achievements: Streamlined inventory workflows and minimized equipment downtime by resolving critical failures promptly. This experience grounded me in technical precision and team leadership — traits I now apply across cybersecurity and systems engineering.

Academic Projects & Technical Evolution

  • Hosted a full-stack web application on AWS to explore cloud deployment
  • Applied NIST SP 800-53 and OWASP best practices in secure development
  • Built embedded systems with TI microcontrollers for calibration tasks
  • Tuned Linux and Windows environments for performance and resilience
  • Created workflows and documentation reflecting real-world operations

These efforts shaped my backend development mindset while reinforcing system protection principles.

Certifications & Professional Development

  • CompTIA: A+, Network+, Security+, CySA+
  • (ISC)²: Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)

Together, they reflect my dedication to structured learning and operational excellence across hardware, networks, and security disciplines.

Current Focus & Lifelong Curiosity

  • Security Management — Network segmentation, monitoring, and hardening
  • System Administration — Diagnosing and securing Linux/Windows systems
  • PowerShell & Bash Scripting — Automating system diagnostics and response
  • Reverse Engineering — Using Ghidra to analyze binaries and assembly behavior
  • Virtualization — Leveraging Docker and VirtualBox in my personal homelab

My homelab fuels practical experimentation with cloud tools, SIEM setups, endpoint protections, and scalable infrastructure design.

Ongoing Exploration

  • Languages: PowerShell, Python, C++, Rust, Go, Assembly, Bash, HTML/CSS
  • Cyber-physical systems, embedded logic, and secure infrastructure architecture
  • Workflow automation from systems to enterprise tooling

Creative Passions

Beyond cybersecurity, I’m fascinated by aeronautics — exploring flight mechanics and aircraft systems. I also practice 3D modeling and printing, crafting custom parts and functional prototypes that merge digital design with hands-on engineering.

Let’s Connect

If you’re passionate about secure systems, backend development, reverse engineering, or creative technical hobbies, I’d love to connect. I value collaboration and always enjoy sharing insights, tools, and new discoveries.

My Resumes

Select the resume that best aligns with your goals or the role you're hiring for.

Cybersecurity Resume

Focused on threat detection, SIEM workflows, automation scripting, and secure infrastructure.

View PDF

Mechanical Resume

Demonstrates leadership and troubleshooting expertise in military environments with heavy machinery.

View PDF

Software Development Resume

Highlights backend development with Python, PowerShell, and Flask; CI/CD, cloud-native tooling, and documentation workflows.

View PDF

Featured Projects

Explore hands-on tools, automation scripts, and security environments I've built to solve real-world problems.

SysAdmin Toolkit

A versatile toolkit of PowerShell scripts for disk monitoring, system diagnostics, and service management across Windows environments.

View on GitHub

LiveFlightMap

A live aviation map application powered by real-time data feeds. Combines web development and flight tracking into a visual experience.

View on GitHub

SecOpsLab

A modular homelab environment for testing SIEM configurations, reverse engineering workflows, and automation scripts.

View on GitHub

SecureStack Toolkit

A modular cybersecurity tool for vulnerability scanning and network analysis.

View on GitHub

SSH Log Analyzer

Parses and analyzes SSH logs to surface threat patterns and improve system visibility.

View on GitHub

Password Security Toolkit

Evaluates password strength, enforces policies, and identifies credential risks in local environments.

View on GitHub

Learn to Code

I’m constantly growing my programming skills and sharing beginner-friendly projects to help others get started. Explore languages, tools, and workflows below.

PowerShell Playground

System diagnostics and automation projects that demonstrate practical IT workflows.

Explore PowerShell

Python Playground

From scripting fundamentals to backend logic — beginner automation and security utilities.

Explore Python

C++ Playground

Projects focused on object-oriented programming, memory management, and embedded logic.

Explore C++

Rust Playground

Practices around ownership, safety, and systems programming in a low-level environment.

Explore Rust

Go Playground

Concurrency-focused projects using Go routines and channel-based communication models.

Explore Go

Bash Playground

Shell scripting projects that automate Linux-based tasks and simplify CLI operations.

Explore Bash

Contact Me

I love connecting with engineers, security professionals, and fellow builders. Feel free to reach out through any platform below or send me a message directly!

LinkedIn

LinkedIn Profile

Discord

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