IT Support Specialist &
U.S Army
Veteran
Bringing military discipline and cybersecurity expertise to protect your systems and solve complex IT challenges with precision and excellence.
About Me
Hi There!
I'm Kaleb Mekonnen, a dynamic IT professional and proud U.S. Army Veteran with seven years of leadership experience. Currently serving as a Helpdesk professional at DLA/Stellar Innovation & Solutions, I bring a disciplined and methodical approach to solving complex technical challenges.
My journey in technology began with my military service, where I developed exceptional leadership skills, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure. These qualities have translated seamlessly into my IT career, allowing me to excel in high-pressure environments and deliver reliable solutions.
Cybersecurity Projects
Showcasing my technical expertise through real-world projects and solutions.
DDoS Simulation
Network Defense
Designed and executed controlled DDoS attack simulations to test network resilience and mitigation strategies, identifying vulnerabilities and implementing effective countermeasures.
Honeypot Setup
Threat Intelligence
Deployed and configured sophisticated honeypot systems to attract and analyze attacker behavior, gathering valuable threat intelligence and enhancing overall security posture.
Phishing Campaign
Security Awareness
Conducted ethical phishing campaigns to assess organizational vulnerability to social engineering attacks, followed by targeted security awareness training to strengthen human firewall.
Home Lab Setup
Practical Learning
Built a comprehensive cybersecurity home lab environment with virtualized networks, security tools, and attack platforms for hands-on skill development and testing of security configurations.
IT Certifications and Security Clearance
CompTIA Security+ CE
Active
Industry-standard certification validating baseline skills needed to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
In Progress
Comprehensive certification covering networking fundamentals, IP services, security, automation and programmability.
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
In Progress
Validates expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring an organization's Microsoft Azure environment.
Security Clearance
Active
Active DoD National Security Clearance — Secret. Enables access to classified information and secure facilities requiring security credentials.
Skills and Expertise
Cybersecurity
Expertise in network security, threat detection, and security auditing
- Network Security
- Threat Detection & Analysis
- Security Auditing
- Incident Response
- Vulnerability Assessment
Network Administration
Advanced knowledge of network infrastructure, protocols, and administration
- Network Architecture
- TCP/IP Protocol Suite
- Routing & Switching
- VPN Implementation
- Network Monitoring
Cloud Computing
Proficient in cloud platforms, architecture, and infrastructure management
- AWS Services
- Azure Platform
- Cloud Security
- Infrastructure as Code
IT Support & Service Management
Dedicated to providing exceptional technical support and enterprise IT solutions
- Technical Support
- Incident Management
- Problem Resolution
- Service Desk Operations
- ITIL Framework
Professional Experience
IT Specialist
CurrentDefense Logistics Agency
Providing comprehensive technical support, hardware repairs, system upgrades, and IT solutions for clients. Specializing in troubleshooting complex system issues and implementing effective solutions.
National Guard Reserve Member
8 YearsU.S. Pennsylvania National Guard
Serving with distinction in the Pennsylvania National Guard for 8 years, developing leadership, discipline, and teamwork skills while supporting both state and federal missions.