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Jacob Hernandez

IT Support · Helpdesk · Junior Sysadmin

jacobhsecurity@gmail.com · United States — open to remote


Objective

Self-taught IT professional with hands-on homelab experience in Windows Server, Active Directory, networking, and security fundamentals. CompTIA A+ Core 1 complete, Core 2 in progress. Targeting entry-level IT support and junior sysadmin roles where I can troubleshoot real problems alongside experienced engineers from day one.


Certifications

CompTIA A+220-1201 / 220-1202In Progress — Core 1 complete, Core 2 scheduled
CompTIA Network+N10-009Planned
CompTIA Security+SY0-701Planned

Technical Skills

Operating SystemsWindows 10/11 · Windows Server 2022 · Ubuntu · Kali Linux
NetworkingTCP/IP · DNS · DHCP · VLANs · pfSense · Subnetting
ToolsWireshark · VirtualBox · Active Directory · PowerShell · Bash
SecurityVulnerability Assessment · Incident Response · Nmap · Basic Pentesting

Lab Projects

Home LabActive — 8+ months continuous operation

VirtualBox · Windows Server 2022 · Ubuntu · pfSense

Local virtualization environment hosting an AD domain, a pfSense router, and multiple Linux servers. Survived hardware failures, a VMDK corruption event, and two power outages. Learned RAM allocation and snapshot hygiene through real failures, not tutorials.

Active Directory EnvironmentComplete

Windows Server 2022 · PowerShell

Deployed a domain controller with OUs, GPOs, and a PowerShell script that bulk-provisioned 50 test users with enforced password policies and folder redirection. Spent an afternoon debugging a GPO scope cascade that was applying settings to the wrong OU — documented every GPO with a description field as a result.

Network Monitoring & VLAN SegmentationActive

pfSense · Wireshark

Segmented lab into 3 VLANs (management, servers, IoT/guest) with firewall rules enforcing zone isolation. Ran Wireshark captures to verify no traffic crossed boundaries — found one rule gap. Also discovered two IoT devices making unauthorized outbound calls to vendor servers and blocked them.


Learning Timeline

Early 2025Rebuilt a donated desktop — diagnosed failed PSU with a multimeter
Mid 2025Stood up first homelab on VirtualBox + Ubuntu Server
Late 2025Deployed Active Directory environment with PowerShell automation
Early 2026Implemented pfSense + 3-VLAN segmentation with Wireshark verification
NowCompTIA A+ Core 2 in progress — exam scheduled, Network+ queued

Jacob Hernandez · jacobhsecurity@gmail.com · 2026