About
I am a devoted husband, father, and now, grandfather (gasp! I know, right?!), classic car fan, and sucker for just about anything 80's! I spent most of the mid and late 90's playing with computers. It wasn't long before I was building them by scratch, helping my father out in his computer store, and repairing or upgrading computers for just about everyone in the county. Since then, I've had a wide variety of professional experiences that have expanded my skill set and understanding of both the physical, and business worlds. I have knowledge from food service, residential construction, commercial maintenance, real estate appraisal, manufacturing, mold making, tool and die, and precision (CNC) machining. Throughout these experiences, I never stopped learning. I've learned a lot about how business works, from the literal nuts and bolts, to the financial aspects. With that expertise, quite a bit of customer service, and quality was drilled into me. And, of course, my time spent as a tool and die maker, mold maker, and precision machinist taught me to always pay particular attention to the smallest details, putting customer needs and safety as priority number one.
Over the last few years though, I've had an increasing desire to return to my first love, technology. During the pandemic, I was laid off, and decided to take advantage of that free time, and work on expanding my computer knowledge. I have studied and learned HTML, CSS, and a large part of Javascript (although that’s not finished yet). Now that doesn't make me a web developer, as I do not use those skills frequently enough for that, but they serve my needs. I have also successfully gained multiple certifications from CompTIA, Axelos, and (ISC)2, and am actively studying for the (ISC)2 CC, CCSP, and SSCP certs while attending WEstern governors University to acquire my Bachelors in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. I have also gained hands on experience with virtualization, and have spun up servers on both Azure and AWS cloud services. I am familiar now, with remote desktops, Active Directory, several Linux distributions, SSH, command line, and have even set up several single board computers (Raspberry Pis) for various applications, including web servers, 3D printer remote management, and a few other fascinating applications.
All in all, I've learned a lot in just the last couple of years, and cant wait to see what I'm gonna learn over the next few years. I do hope that I'll find my way in with a company that will foster that learning, and challenge my skills and knowledge every single day.
CNC Machinist turning Cybersecurity Professional
After a decade in the precision machining industry, It's time to move into a field that I should have been in all along, Cybersecurity. Although machining has been a blast, and I've learned a boat load over the years, I feel it's time to move on to greener pastures. Cybersecurity has been an interest of mine since the mid 90s, even though it seemed like such a large mountain to climb. I have begun that journey of a thousand steps. I am loving what I'm learning and cant wait to see what I can learn next!
- Birthday: 10 April 1973
- Website: www.danahaycox.tech
- Phone: 419 967 0784
- City: Fremont, OH USA
- Age: 51
- Degree: MS Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
- Email: dana@danahaycox.net
- Freelance: Available
In addition to the above mentioned Associates degree, I also have a certificate of competency in 2D/3D CAD. Recently, I acquired my CompTIA Project+ certification, and am currently working towards my (ISC)2 CC, CCSP, and SSCP, certs as well the CompTIA CySA+, and Pentest+. After that, I'll dive head first into Cloud certs from Azure and AWS. And then... and then...!
Resume
This resume shows the last decade of my work experience. Unfortunately, it stops short of showing my time in customer relations related fields. Prior background experiences include real estate appraisal, food service, construction, private resort maintenance, manufacturing, computer repair, shipping and receiving, and more.
Education
Bachelor's of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
10/2022- 10/2025 (projected)
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Project+
- CompTIA Pentest+
- CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst)
- CompTIA CSIS (Certified Secure Infrastructure Specialist)
- CompTIA CIOS (Certified IT Operations Specialist)
- CompTIA NVAP (Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional)
- CompTIA NSP (Network Security Professional)
- CompTIA SAP (Security Analytics Professional)
- Axelos ITIL Foundation
- (ISC)2 SSCP Associate (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)
- (ISC)2 CCSP Associate (Certified Cloud Security Professional)
- Linux Professional Institute LPI Linux Essentials
Western Governors University, Millcreek, UT
WGU’s online B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program was designed with input from cybersecurity experts and leading IT employers to meet the most recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and National Security Agency (NSA) guidelines. This program has also helped WGU receive the designation of a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2026. This degree includes the following third party certifications:
Associates of Arts in Welding Technologies
2008 - 2009
Terra Community College, Fremont, OH
I also acquired a certificate of competency in 2D/3D CAD at the same time.
Professional Experience
Industrial Maintenance Technician
2024 - present
Fuel Total Systems, Lebanon, Kentucky
- Service production machinery as needed to maintain continuous production
- Perform preventative maintenance to ensure proper function of machines
- Troubleshoot PLCs, electrical panels, infrared detectors, and fiber optic sensors
- Maintain blow mold machines and supporting infrastructure to ensure functionality and high quality
Cloud Support Technician Level 1
2023
Right Networks, Hudson, New Hampshire
- Provide first level technical support for our clients and their clients
- Troubleshoot local and cloud issues for hundreds of accounting firms and thousands of clients using hundreds of applications locally, in the Cloud, and on the web
- Resolve customer issues on RN servers, customer’s local networks, workstations, laptops, and mobile devices
- Regularly RDP into various servers and workstations
- Maintain a professional demeanor at all times and uphold all security policies
- Averaging a ticket closing rate of 27 tickets per week
Machinist
2022 - 2023
Komatsu Mining, Lebanon, KY
- Set up, maintain, troubleshoot, and operate manual lathe
- Prepare and maintain cutting tools to maintain required tolerances
- Measure and document parts to ensure parts are within designated specification
- Comply with all OSHA, and company policies, including safety and NDAs
Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems
2014 - 2018
Century Die Co., Fremont, OH
- Set up, maintain, troubleshoot, and operate various CNC Milling machines (VMC, HMC)
- Prepare and maintain cutting tools to maintain required tolerances
- Measure and document parts to ensure parts are within designated specification
- Comply with all FAA, OSHA, and company policies, including safety and NDAs
CNC Machinist and Mold Maker
2014 - 2018
Century Die Co., Fremont, OH
- Set up, maintain, troubleshoot, and operate various CNC Milling machines (VMC, HMC)
- Prepare and maintain cutting tools to maintain required tolerances
- Measure and document parts to ensure parts are within designated specification
- Comply with all FAA, OSHA, and company policies, including safety and NDAs
