Michael Khalaf Email & Phone Number

I have graduated with a BS in Information Sciences + ITI Certificate in Cybersecurity from the School of Information Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I'm a graduate student enrolled in the Master of Science in Information Management program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I’m currently a recipient of the NSF Federal CyberCorps SFS Cybersecurity Scholarship, also known as an ICSSP at Illinois. I am pursuing a MS in Information Management from the School of Information Sciences with a combined computer security engineering curriculum in Grainger College of Engineering. Upon graduation, I will further explore preferred security domains of interest in cyber defense & targeting through network security, forensics, and penetration testing.My current involvements are as follows: -> Helper & Purple Team Cyber Defense Lead, SIGPwny (ACM), a special interest group and organization from within ACM. SIGPwny is a cybersecurity organization that develops, participates, hosts CTFs, competes within cyber competitions, and facilitates research & collaboration. My roles in information technology serve as a foundational overture to a career in security. I have hands-on experience in network and database infrastructure. I excelled at installation, analysis, implementation, documentation, troubleshooting & maintenance, triage & ticketing, and live client consults through my roles in maintaining a broad technology infrastructure as a help desk consultant and IT consultant at University of Illinois Technology Services. As an IT intern at a law firm, I coordinated engaging infrastructure support and troubleshooting under the external guidance of K2 managed IT services. Now, specific certifications and niche security experiences are the next set of objectives that prepare me for careers in this space. I’ve familiarized myself with security frameworks and networking protocols across numerous critical infrastructure applications. I have completed relevant IT and security coursework while seeking more experience in enterprise security stack software, applications, and frameworks. I am currently pursuing baseline security certifications for Google Cybersecurity & CompTIA Security+, OSCP, and Amazon AWS CP.Today, much of my work and involvement falls under penetration testing, network security, & forensics. Currently working with Linux tools and learning fundamentals behind critical operating system infrastructure. I invite you to follow me on my journey in this space.

Listed skills include Information Technology, Silhouette Cameo, Consulting, Information Security, and 46 others.