BSIT380-T302 Week 1 Blog

Hello and welcome to my first entry in what I hope becomes a valuable space for sharing insights, experiences, and lessons learned in the world of cybersecurity, system hardening, and network risk management.

My name is Derek Talbott, and I am currently the Site IT Manager at Michelin in Junction City, Kansas. With over a decade of hands-on experience in IT, ranging from systems administration and Active Directory management to executing cybersecurity compliance rules across global infrastructures, I’ve learned just how critical strong security practices are in maintaining operational stability.

Before transitioning into the civilian IT world, I served in the U.S. Army as a 15N Avionics Mechanic, 15F Aircraft Electrician, and 25B Information Technology Specialist. Those years taught me how to stay calm under pressure, lead by example, and treat every piece of technology as mission-critical, skills that continue to guide my approach to IT security today.

I’m currently wrapping up my Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Bellevue University, and this course caught my attention because system hardening and risk management are not just about defending infrastructure, they’re about thinking ahead, minimizing attack surfaces, and making smart decisions with limited resources. In my current role, I manage patching schedules, enforce cybersecurity group policies, and ensure system uptime across a production environment, all while staying compliant with global security standards.

Through this blog, I plan to explore the practical side of hardening systems, implementing layered defenses, and balancing security with usability. I’ll also reflect on the tools, techniques, and frameworks that are shaping modern IT security, from firewalls and virtualization to VPN configurations and disaster recovery planning.

Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Stay secure,

Derek

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