The Tech Stack I’m building
Introduction
I am currently in the process of building my tech stack. I have both long term goals (to learn Linux for example) but I have shorter term goals for a tech stack which I am sharing here.
I can basically split the tech stack into three. The first part is the ‘Engineering Stack’, mainly what I use to create things. These are the programming languages and technologies I use, the core fundamentals. Next up is the ‘Service Stack’. This is the area where I provide the actual services to customers. These include things such as website builders and content management systems. Finally is my ‘Cyber Stack’. This is my cyber security layer, where I learn about security in the digital world.
Below I will list the areas I am learning and why I’m learning them.
Engineering Stack
C# and ASP.NET
The main programing language I use is C#. This is the language I feel most comfortable using and the one I enjoy the most. I haven’t yet started ASP.NET but it is something I am keen to learn and implement.
HTML, CSS and JavaScript
I offer to build websites for people. I wouldn’t be much of a web developer if I wasn’t familiar with these three technologies would I? Could I improve with them? Definitely, and I plan on pracitcing. But I will be working on improving these over time.
MySQL
I learnt MySQL during the second year of my Computer Science degree, so I have some familiarity with it. Again I need to revise it a little bit, but I was (and still am) fairly confident with using MySQL to connect and manipulate databases. This is a case of simple revision needed rather than learning a new technology.
Ubuntu
This is my chosen Linux distro for development. It will be last on my list to start learning (or revising in some cases) but it is on my list and deserves a mention. Also this is not set in stone yet, but I can’t envisage changing it.
Service Stack
I have two platforms I use to provide services to clients. These will be detailed below, starting with the one I currently use.
Squarespace
I currently use Squarespace to build simple, affordable websites, mainly focused on small local businesses. It is simple to use and maintain and can be powerful with the correct knowledge.
WordPress
I am currently in the process of learning how to properly use WordPress (.org). I have made websites with it before, but I want to learn how to utilise it to its full potential and make attractive and functional sites with it. I am well on my way to doing so, but still need practice and experience before offering it as a service.
Cyber Stack
This where I learn about one of my tech passions, cyber security. Though the field is vast I am focusing on three key areas.
Kali Linux
The quintessential (though not only) cyber security operating system I would be remiss not to learn at least the basics of using Kali, even if I decide to stick with a mix of Windows and Ubuntu.
Networking
Another module I covered in my second year, this is more revision. I have covered things such as the OSI model, TCP/IP and the three way handshake. But I need to cover this again, perhaps in more detail if I am to achieve a long term aim of working in cyber security at some point in my career.
Various Security Tools
I am grouping some of the tools found in Kali Linux here. These include tools such as WIreshark, Burpsuite and SIEMs. My long term aim is to work in blue teaming in cyber security (at the moment I am particularly interested in threat analysis) so knowing the tools is a must.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog post. If you have any questions feel free to use a contact form to send them in!