My name is Rob, and I am a cyber security, resilience, and operations professional based out of the Treasure Valley in Southern Idaho

I have years of hands-on-keyboard experience in securing computer systems and networks ranging in size all the way from small offices to Fortune-100 companies. Let me bring that experience to work for you!

I am experienced with all major operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. I am familiar with most enterprise, commercial, and home-use computing and networking technologies. I am well versed in the latest cyber security guidelines published by the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP).

My “day job” is as a cyber security engineer, so I keep current with the latest trends in both cyber security theory and practice, as well as an ear to the ground on the latest emerging cyber threats.

I hold a Master of Science degree in Cyber Operations and Resilience. Relevant coursework includes:

• Deep Learning for Cybersecurity Applications
• AI & Machine Learning for Cybersecurity
• Digital and Signals Intelligence
• Digital Forensics and eDiscovery
• Cyber Warfare and Conflicts
• Cyber Project Design
• Applied Cybersecurity Programming
• Cyber Risk Management
• Incident Response
• Cyber Systems Thinking
• Internet of Things Architecture
• Computer Networking, and Network Security

So what is with the name!?

I am glad that you ask!

The name “OrangeGremlins” is inspired by two real-life orange gremlins, my two orange cats Peach and Clementine!
They are a pair of bonded sisters that I adopted in late 2024.

They embody the attitude that I endeavor to bring to my efforts as a cyber security professional:

• They know when to “zoom” and when to get up high and observe what is going on
• They curiously investigate unfamiliar objects, much like I examine suspicious files, links, and system behavior
• They are alert and notice small movements and unusual sounds, just like I detect anomalous network activity
• They move quietly and stealthily, which mirrors the importance of monitoring systems without revealing the defensive measures I implement
• They are self-reliant creatures, just like how the security tools must be in able for them to quickly without constant supervision
• Like all cats, they protects their territory (in their case, the battlefield of my kitchen window), much like firewalls, access controls, and endpoint security protect digital environments
• Metaphorically, cats have “9 lives.” Your data should also be just as resilient with backups, incident response, and the ability to recover after an attack