Seeking Entry-Level Security Role

Phil Vilkama

Junior IT Security Professional

Eager to protect, detect, and respond. Phil is building a security career grounded in hands-on lab work, a genuine curiosity for how systems break, and the dependable work ethic that gets teams through incidents.

About Phil

An entry-level security professional with the curiosity to keep digging and the discipline to do it right.

Who I Am

Phil is a motivated IT security professional at the start of his career, actively building hands-on skills in threat detection, network defense, and security operations. He approaches every lab, course, and real-world problem the same way — methodically and with genuine curiosity about what's happening under the hood.

What I Bring

Phil brings a foundation in IT support and operations, which gives him practical context that pure security students often lack. He understands how networks are built, how systems are used day-to-day, and where the gaps tend to appear. That perspective translates directly into sharper threat awareness and better communication with non-security teams.

My Approach

Phil believes security is as much about mindset as it is about tooling. He takes a methodical approach to analysis, documents everything, and asks the right questions before jumping to conclusions. When something doesn't add up, he digs deeper rather than moving on.

What I'm Looking For

Phil is looking for an entry-level security role — SOC analyst, IT security support, or security operations — where he can contribute from day one, grow under experienced mentors, and build toward a long-term career in cybersecurity. He learns fast and stays committed.

Skills & Capabilities

A security-focused toolkit built through hands-on labs, coursework, and a background in IT operations.

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Security Operations

SIEM Monitoring Log Analysis Incident Triage Alert Investigation Threat Detection
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Networking & Infrastructure

TCP/IP Firewalls VPNs DNS / DHCP Wireshark Network Scanning
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Systems & Tools

Linux (CLI) Windows Server Active Directory Nmap Vulnerability Scanning IT Support
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Security Fundamentals

CIA Triad Access Controls Phishing Awareness Password Policies Security Documentation Risk Awareness

Experience

A foundation in IT operations, now focused and redirected toward a career in cybersecurity.

2023 – Present

Security Studies & Home Lab

Self-Directed Learning

Actively pursuing cybersecurity skills through structured coursework, TryHackMe / Hack The Box challenges, and a personal home lab running Kali Linux, pfSense, and a SIEM. Practice areas include network traffic analysis, log review, vulnerability scanning, and basic incident investigation. Working toward CompTIA Security+ certification.

2020 – 2023

IT Support & Operations

Previous Employer

Provided Tier 1/2 technical support in a Windows and Active Directory environment. Managed user account provisioning and access requests, enforced password policies, and escalated anomalous activity to the appropriate teams. Gained firsthand exposure to the types of misconfigurations and user behaviors that create security risk.

2017 – 2020

Technical & Operations Support

Earlier Role

Built a strong operational foundation supporting hardware, software, and network troubleshooting in a fast-paced environment. Developed habits of careful documentation, systematic root cause analysis, and clear communication — all of which translate directly to effective security work.

Why Hire Phil?

Security teams need people who are sharp, steady, and willing to put in the work. Phil checks all three.

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Naturally Curious

Phil doesn't accept "it's probably fine." He investigates, verifies, and understands what he's looking at before moving on.

Reliable Under Pressure

Incidents don't wait for convenient timing. Phil is the person you want on-call — calm, focused, and ready to work the problem.

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Documents Everything

Good security work leaves a paper trail. Phil writes clear, useful notes so the next analyst knows exactly what happened and why.

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Actively Learning

Between labs, courses, and CTF challenges, Phil is constantly sharpening his skills. He's not waiting for a job to start learning.

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IT Background = Context

Understanding how systems are used day-to-day makes Phil a sharper analyst. He knows what "normal" looks like — and spots what doesn't.

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Easy to Work With

Security is a team sport. Phil communicates clearly, asks good questions, and makes the people around him better at their jobs.

Let's Connect

If you're looking for a junior security analyst or IT security support professional who is genuinely passionate about the field, reach out. Phil is responsive, professional, and ready to have a real conversation about how he can contribute to your team.