Since receiving my very first computer at the age of 12, I have been fascinated by computing. After my parents had decided to give me an old computer, I found myself on the internet - a vast plane of infinite knowledge; the world wide web taught me many things about hacking, computer security and programming. It was the urge to know how everything worked and why it worked that drove me to keep learning.

What pushed me to this conclusion was using a distribution of the GNU/Linux system, namely 'Arch Linux'. By using GNU/Linux, I was able to learn about Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) and how it is generally more secure than proprietary software. What Linux also provided me with are the necessary tools for Network and Security analysis. I learned to use the Metasploit framework in conjunction with the Nmap tool by attacking insecure virtual machines, which eventually led me to attempting to exploit computers on my local network. This in turn made me want to study security.



The subjects that I have chosen to study at Higher all play an essential role in Computing. Computing Science has helped me further develop my skills and knowledge with computers while Physics has taught me how computers work based on Scientific Principles. Computing and Mathematics have come hand-in-hand during my studies as they both supplement each other greatly; Computing has taught me to program, while Maths has allowed me to implement more advanced functions into my code. This has benefited me greatly as it allows me to design and write more complex algorithms. Physics has complemented these other two subjects as it explains the physical properties of computer components that allow it to function properly.



Outside of school most of my time is spent working on a variety of projects, mainly on managing my server which hosts a multitude of services, including a web-server and a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) server. Hosting a web service is fraught with risk from Denial of Service (DoS) or Cross Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, both of which have the capacity to cripple a server and render it useless. It is paramount that I know where all of these vulnerabilities lie in my system, so that I am able to find a fix for it and to do this I make use of different Penetration Testing (Pentesting) tools which are available for free. Through running a server, I have learned a variety of ways to make sure my data and network stay safe from harm. I have also gained a number of system administration skills, which I hope will aid me in future careers.



As much as I enjoy working, especially on my server, I recognise the seriousness of finding time for myself. In such time, I find myself either playing or listening to music. From around the age of 9 I have taught myself how to play the piano by ear and to this day, I still play occasionally. Playing the  piano, to me, is a creative way to express myself and is one of the most important things in my life. Since building a new computer, I have connected my musical keyboard to my PC to create music using a digital audio workstation (DAW). The music I experiment with tends to be influenced by my enjoyment of a fusion between Hip-Hop and Jazz, a technical combination that allows for a lot of unique sounds. Through online friends, I have also learned the skill of mastering audio. Using visual equalisers built into digital audio workstations, I tweak the channels of audio so that they sound as best they can, giving a pleasurable listening experience.



I believe that studying for a degree in computer security will allow me to develop into a mature, working adult and I look forward to facing the challenges that meet me on my journey.