Brandon Warnock

Hello, I’m Brandon Warnock

This is still a work in progress, and will be updating the blog at least once per week.

I started my career as a mechanic working on aircraft, semi trucks, and industrial equipment. The job was always the same at its core: identify the issue, confirm the cause, and fix it correctly.

I carry that same approach into IT. I focus on networking and infrastructure and prefer understanding how systems actually work, not just how to click through them. I like knowing what is happening underneath.

Cloud platforms and information security especially hold my interest. The architecture, scale, and responsibility of securing modern systems make them worth studying in depth.

This site is simply a snapshot of my background, my interests, and what I am building next.

Career Growth

From hands-on roles in retail, aviation, and mechanical work to a focused career in IT and service desk support, I’ve built a foundation of practical experience and technical expertise. Continuous learning and certifications have allowed me to grow into increasingly complex IT and security-focused roles.

Retail Foundations

I began my professional journey at Sam’s Club, where I spent eight and a half years gaining hands-on experience in multiple roles, from cart operations to the meat department and ultimately in the tire shop. This period built a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to varied responsibilities.

Technical and Mechanical Roles

Following retail, I explored technical and mechanical work. After graduating from the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in 2013, I held roles in aircraft parts removal and repair. I then briefly worked in fiber installation for AT&T, followed by two and a half years as a semi-truck and forklift mechanic at XPO Logistics, and five and a half years at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. Short-term roles at Oregon Tool, fabricating ergonomic carts, and Owens Corning, further strengthened my mechanical and technical skills while helping me refocus on my true interest in IT.

IT and Service Desk Career

Recognizing my passion for technology, I transitioned back into IT through contract positions. I began with seasonal help desk support at TaxAct and progressed to a full-time service desk role at WellSky. During this phase, I enhanced my expertise through focused training and certifications, earning Microsoft MS-900 and AZ-900 in 2024, CompTIA Security+ in 2024, and CompTIA Network+ in 2025, and am currently pursuing the CompTIA CySA+. This path reflects a commitment to continuous learning, technical growth, and hands-on problem solving in IT.

Achieved the following certifications:

Projects

I maintain a dedicated home lab to deepen my hands on experience with infrastructure, systems design, and security. It provides a controlled environment where I can work with virtualization and container technologies similar to those used in modern enterprise settings.

I approach the lab with a production mindset, prioritizing security, stability, and thoughtful configuration. It allows me to test ideas, refine best practices, and strengthen my understanding of data protection and resilient system design without impacting live environments.

This ongoing work helps me stay current with evolving technologies while reinforcing a disciplined, security conscious approach to infrastructure management.

Replace image with Network Rack

My 42U home lab rack is designed for personal projects, experimentation, and learning. The hardware includes:
* Raspberry Pi running Pi-Hole
* Dell PowerEdge R340
* Dell PowerEdge R320
* Dell PowerEdge R240
* Dell OptiPlex (two units)
* Protectli Vault
* Cisco Catalyst 2960 Network Switch x3
* Cisco Catalyst 3650 switch
* Two wireless access points
* Separate Palo Alto firewall appliance for isolated testing

This setup allows me to explore different systems and network configurations in a controlled, secure environment.

Home lab work area will go here

General layout of the home lab