🧭 Finding a Way: Humble Beginnings

I recently attended IntelliCon, a threat intelligence conference, where I was introduced to a speaker who perfectly personifies the “Finding a Way” spirit. His journey is a powerful reminder that while we can’t choose our starting point, we absolutely have a say in our destination.

The keynote was delivered by InfoSecPat, a man whose unassuming nature belies a massive influence in the cyber world (check out his YouTube channel, which boasts over 140k subscribers). His story is a masterclass in refusing to accept limitations.

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From Survival to Mastery

Raised by his grandmother in a tough neighborhood in New York City, Patrick’s early life was dominated by a “survival first” mentality. He found an escape from the streets through professional skateboarding and bowling, but his academic path was complicated by a significant reading disability.

When his grandmother passed away when he was 16, he moved to Florida to live with his uncle. This change in environment allowed him to finally look past survival and toward a future. His entry into cybersecurity wasn’t a grand plan; it was a reaction to having his PayPal account hacked.

Instead of giving up when faced with the dense, text-heavy requirements of IT certifications, he found a way. He utilized tools to “hear” his books and leaned into hands-on platforms like Hack The Box Academy. Today, he holds:

• 50+ Industry Certifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity

• A Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity

The Myth of the “Bootstrap”

While his story is inspiring, Patrick is the first to say it wasn’t a solo effort. He rejects the “bootstrap” narrative, openly giving thanks to his uncle and his fiancé for the support that kept him going.

His massive YouTube success even started as a collaborative effort. While in a study group, someone suggested recording video sections to share knowledge among the members. That simple act of community sharing blossomed into a career of educating thousands. Today, he runs his own penetration testing and consulting firm for small and medium businesses—ensuring that the labor of his team translates into fair rewards for everyone.

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A Legacy of “Data Programming”

Patrick’s story reminded me so much of my father’s journey. Coming from a small town in Texas, my father had no idea what “data programming” even was—it was a foreign concept in the pre-Vietnam era.

When he entered the military, he took their proficiency tests. His high scores qualified him for data programming, and despite only having a GED at the time, he took the leap. The military doesn’t give you years to learn; they give you months. Like Patrick, my father found a “way” through community. A fellow student, a Cuban immigrant with prior private-sector programming experience, stepped in to mentor him through the difficult curriculum.

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Inspired to Pay it Forward

Recognizing my own humble beginnings and the mentors who helped my family along the way, I am deeply committed to ensuring those same “ways” remain open for others. I am focusing my energy on two critical non-profit organizations:

• Cyversity: We are directly tackling the ‘great cyber divide’ through scholarships and diverse workforce development. Our programs are specifically designed to help veterans bridge the gap between their service and a thriving civilian career.

• Cloud Security Alliance (CSA): As the world’s leading non-profit for cloud security, we provide the awareness and credentialing needed for AI, Cloud, and Zero Trust—the tools of the future.

By building these local chapters, I hope to provide the same “uncle,” “fiancé,” or “fellow student” support systems that changed the lives of people like InfoSecPat and my father.