Documenting my path from 0 to IT Security Professional
Timeline: 2023 - 2028
Goal: Fachinformatiker Systemintegration → Security Engineer / SOC Analyst
Status: In Training (Starting January 19, 2026)
- About This Repository
- My Background
- Learning Path
- Projects
- Certifications & Training
- Home Lab Setup
- Documentation
- Resources
This repository documents my journey into IT Security and System Administration. I'm sharing everything I learn - successes, failures, troubleshooting steps, and lessons learned.
Why public?
- Accountability for my learning
- Help others on a similar path
- Build a portfolio for job applications
- Connect with the IT security community
Previous Experience:
- 20+ years in various industries (metalworking, security, automotive, facility management)
- Self-taught IT enthusiast since 2006
- Strong interest in Bitcoin, cloud security, and system administration
Current Focus:
- Retraining: Fachinformatiker Systemintegration (Jan 2026 - Dec 2027)
- Specialization: Cloud Security & IT Security
- Side Project: NodeWatch21 - Bitcoin Node Monitoring Platform
- Home lab setup (VirtualBox, VMware)
- Linux basics (Ubuntu, Linux Mint)
- Windows Server fundamentals
- Networking basics
- PowerShell introduction
- Bitcoin node operation
- Fachinformatiker Systemintegration program
- Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification
- Linux Essentials certification
- Windows Server 2022 administration
- PowerShell advanced
- ITIL v4 Foundation
- Security certifications (CompTIA Security+, etc.)
- Penetration testing basics
- SOC operations
- Incident response
- Security automation
- First security role (SOC Analyst / Security Engineer)
- Advanced certifications
- Continuous learning
- Status: ✅ Complete
- Description: Bootable Kali Purple installation on 128GB USB drive for portable pentesting
- Documentation: Coming soon
- Key Learnings: UEFI/CSM troubleshooting, USB installation, dual-boot setup
- Status: 🔨 In Development (Launch 2028)
- Description: SaaS platform for Bitcoin & Lightning node monitoring with security focus
- Tech Stack: Python, FastAPI, Next.js, PostgreSQL
- Website: nodewatch21.io
- GitHub: Private (for now)
- Status: ✅ Active
- Hardware: MiniPC (2TB SSD, 32GB RAM)
- Virtualization: VirtualBox, VMware
- Purpose: Testing, learning, experimentation
- Bitcoin Full Node + Lightning setup (April 2026)
- Azure home lab environment
- Security monitoring dashboard
- Automated backup solutions
- Microsoft Sentinel Ninja Training (November 2024)
- Self-study: Linux basics, PowerShell fundamentals, networking
- Azure Administrator (AZ-104) - Preparation phase
- Fachinformatiker Systemintegration - Starts January 19, 2026
- Linux Essentials (LPI)
- Windows Server 2022
- ITIL v4 Foundation
- CompTIA Security+
- Additional security certifications (TBD based on career path)
MiniPC (Main Lab Server)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
- RAM: 32GB DDR4
- Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD
- OS: Ubuntu Server / Windows Server (dual-boot)
- Purpose: VMs, Docker containers, testing environments
Main Workstation
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- OS: Windows 11 Pro
- GPU: Integrated (for now)
Portable Security Lab
- Device: SanDisk Extreme Go 128GB USB 3.2
- OS: Kali Purple (Xfce)
- Purpose: Portable pentesting, security assessments, learning
Virtualization:
- VirtualBox
- VMware Workstation
Operating Systems (VMs):
- Ubuntu Server
- Ubuntu Desktop
- Linux Mint
- Kali Purple
- Windows Server 2022
Security Tools:
- Kali Purple tool suite (defensive security)
- Wireshark
- Nmap
- Metasploit Framework
- Burp Suite
Development:
- VS Code
- Git / GitHub
- Python
- PowerShell
Cloud:
- Azure (learning environment)
- Cloudflare (hosting, DNS)
Password Management:
- Bitwarden (self-hosted goal)
Coming soon - documentation will be added as projects are completed:
- Kali Purple Installation - Complete walkthrough with troubleshooting
- Home Lab Setup - Hardware decisions and configuration
- Azure Training Notes - AZ-104 preparation notes
- PowerShell Learning - Scripts and exercises
- Networking Basics - Notes and labs
Will be added as I build my knowledge base:
- Common Commands Cheatsheet
- Troubleshooting Guide
- Tool Configurations
- Microsoft Learn (Azure training)
- TryHackMe (security labs)
- HackTheBox (pentesting practice)
- YouTube channels (NetworkChuck, John Hammond, etc.)
- Bitcoin/Lightning community (Nostr, Twitter/X)
- r/homelab, r/sysadmin, r/netsec
- Local IT meetups
- (To be added as I progress)
This Month:
- ✅ Kali Purple portable setup complete
- ✅ Home lab infrastructure ready
- Azure AZ-104 preparation
- Start Fachinformatiker program (Jan 19)
Next 3 Months:
- Complete Azure AZ-104 certification
- Bitcoin full node setup
- Document initial training experiences
- Build foundational security skills
"Learning by doing, documenting by teaching"
I believe in:
- Hands-on practice over theory alone
- Open source and knowledge sharing
- Building in public for accountability
- Continuous learning as a lifestyle
- Security first mindset in everything
- Twitter/X: @NodeWatch21 (Professional projects)
- GitHub: github.com/nodewatch21
- Lightning: ⚡
nodewatch21@blink.sv(Value4Value)
This documentation is shared under CC BY 4.0 - feel free to learn from it, share it, and build upon it. Attribution appreciated!
- The open source community for amazing tools and resources
- Everyone sharing their knowledge freely online
- My family for supporting this career transition
Last Updated: January 1, 2026
Status: Active Learning 🚀
From zero to security professional - one commit at a time 💪🛡️