Cybersecurity Researcher / IT Professional

Derek Nolt

I build and secure practical systems across endpoint monitoring, Microsoft 365 Defender, Wazuh, network infrastructure, automation, and hands-on incident response.

Contact Me View Resume

Bio

About Me

I am a cybersecurity researcher and IT professional with hands-on experience securing endpoints, email, networks, cameras, NAS systems, Windows and Mac machines, and nonprofit managed IT environments.

My recent work includes standing up Wazuh and Microsoft 365 Defender monitoring, leading security training, maintaining business infrastructure, and helping restore operations after a ransomware incident with minimal downtime.

Resume

Experience

April 2024 - Present Viztech360, Berlin OH

Web Dev Lead / IT Security Manager

Implemented security monitoring, internal IT administration, and employee security initiatives across company and managed IT environments.

  • Installed and configured Wazuh and Microsoft 365 Defender for endpoint and email monitoring.
  • Configured and maintained networking equipment, cameras, NAS systems, Windows machines, and Mac machines.
  • Helped stop a ransomware attack, identify the compromise path, remove the attack vector, and restore operations.
March 2023 - March 2024 Mission Thrift Store, Sarasota FL

IT Manager

Managed daily IT operations, security policies, user training, network devices, and firewall maintenance.

  • Installed, configured, and maintained network devices and firewalls.
  • Implemented security policies aligned with industry standards.
  • Trained personnel to use business software securely.
2016 - 2023 Technical Trades

Construction, Maintenance, and Automotive Repair

Built a practical troubleshooting background through construction work, industrial maintenance, and automotive diagnostics.

  • Maintained CNC machines and internally built machinery at Berlin Gardens.
  • Performed major automotive repair and electronics troubleshooting, specializing in German-built cars.
  • Worked across remodels, framing, electrical, roofing, windows, doors, decking, and drywall.

Selected Work

Projects

Hardware & Automation

Raspberry Pi QR Scanner

Built a Python-powered QR badge scanner on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W for event check-in. Combines camera capture, API integration, and LED and buzzer feedback, with a local SQLite queue that preserves scans during network outages.

Read project →

Security Research

Threat Detection & Research

Explore attack techniques and defensive monitoring through hands-on security research and lab work. Focus areas include endpoint and email threats, network security, and using Wazuh and Microsoft 365 Defender to investigate suspicious activity.

Read project →

Embedded Security

UART & IoT Pentesting

Explore IoT device security through UART serial interfaces, examining boot output and exposed debug consoles. Study how hardware access can reveal device behavior, insecure configurations, and opportunities to strengthen embedded systems.

Read project →

Embedded Systems

ESP32-S3 Bicycle Light

Developing a bicycle light and BLE handlebar remote with animated turn signals, estimated LED current limiting, and motion-sensor diagnostics. Explore the firmware, bench debugging, and custom enclosure design.

Read project →

Capabilities

Skills

  • Wazuh
  • Microsoft 365 Defender
  • Security Monitoring
  • Endpoint Security
  • Network Devices
  • Firewalls
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • PowerShell
  • Python Automation
  • JavaScript
  • PHP
  • Bash
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Security Training
  • Problem Solving

Development

Professional Development

CompTIA Security+

Obtained August 2023. Studied secure infrastructure, cyber threat identification, and mitigation concepts.

Hack The Box Academy

Ongoing learning in bug bounty methodology, Active Directory fundamentals, and network environment setup.

Home Lab

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Contact

Let's Connect

Reach out for cybersecurity, IT operations, web development, automation, or hands-on technical work.

groundedcyber@gmail.com Linkedin GitHub