In steganography, the goal is to conceal the existence of a payload in such a manner that it is not evident upon initial inspection. Egganography encapsulates this concept within the familiar everyday object of an EGG. Imagine an egg that looks ordinary at first glance, indistinguishable from any other in a dozen. However, this is no ordinary egg. Depending on the circumstances of its creation, this egg could either hatch into a chicken or something else entirely. Wow! Maybe the domain name conceals something more profound and warrants further inspection.

Anyway, this is a cybersecurity blog! I’m a graduate student at UC Berkeley studying cybersecurity and this is a space for me to share my thoughts and reflections on the cybersecurity landscape. I will probably also share some other stuff pertaining to my interests as well.

More About Me

I started building computers as a kid, and was consumed by a desire to create online content with Macromedia (now Adobe) Flash. I would spend countless hours in Borders (R.I.P.) reading every book I could find on ActionScript (an outdated object-oriented programming language similar to JavaScript) and then going home and trying to implement what I had read. I had some minor successes in high school working on games and videos on platforms such as Newgrounds.com and Armorgames.com, and when I started getting my first paychecks in the mail I was hooked.

I started my actual career in 2007 as a cryptologic linguist, which opened doors to roles in intelligence analysis within the realm of national security, spanning over a decade. My foray into the digital world began with a shift towards cybersecurity, where I spent three fruitful years dissecting the digital footprints of cyber threats at NSA. My areas of interest are broad, yet I find myself particularly drawn to the enigmatic worlds of cryptography and machine learning, particularly artificial intelligence.

Some interesting facts about me: I’ve completed a 48-week immersion language program in Tagalog at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. I speak pretty good Tagalog for a non-native. I also attained a degree in Music at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I later attained a degree in International Politics with a focus on National Security Studies from Pennsylvania State University.

When I’m not decoding the complex language of cyber threats or strategizing security measures, I’m usually surfing, running, exploring new destinations, or getting lost in the world of music. These pursuits not only offer me a respite from the digital realm but also inspire creativity and innovation in my professional life.

My contributions to the joint NSA/FBI efforts in combating cyber adversaries have been a career highlight, shaping executive decisions and leading to tangible outcomes in the cybersecurity landscape. This experience has been a testament to my commitment to understanding and advancing cybersecurity principles and methods.

Through this blog, I aim to share insights, experiences, and reflections on the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, drawing from my diverse background and unique perspective. Join me as we navigate the complexities of digital security together, learning and growing in this fascinating field.