Dan Hughes, Programmer At Large

About Me

Hello! With an extensive experience of 23 years in the IT sector, I've had the privilege to work across various domains. From the days of handling BlackBerry and Exchange servers, where the thrill of ensuring seamless connectivity was unparalleled, to managing technical help desks and providing instantaneous solutions, my journey has been truly enriching.

Current Role

Today, I proudly serve as the Security Officer for a leading MSP (managed service provider). My role primarily revolves around ensuring that our client data remains uncompromised, and that our digital infrastructure stands robust against any potential threats. Keeping the digital landscape safe and fostering trust with our clients is my utmost priority.

Personal Interests

Beyond my professional life, I am an ardent fan of video games. Be it the rush of a multiplayer match or the narrative of a single-player campaign, video games have always been my go-to escape. Additionally, I am a fervent player of Dungeons and Dragons. The thrill of crafting stories, encountering unexpected challenges, and diving into fantasy realms is an experience that I cherish immensely.

Thanks for taking the time to learn a bit about me. I look forward to contributing to and growing with this amazing team!

Contact Me

Contact Information

Social Media

If you have any further inquiries or would like to reach out for collaboration, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the provided contact details or through social media.

Professional Experience

2020-2023: TeamLogic IT of North Milwaukee - Security Officer

As the Security Officer at TeamLogic IT of North Milwaukee, I was responsible for overseeing the cybersecurity measures of the organization. This role involved conducting regular vulnerability assessments, ensuring that data protection measures were compliant with industry standards, and developing cybersecurity training programs for staff. My primary aim was to bolster the company's defense mechanisms against potential cyber threats and foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness.

2013-2018: CoreLogic - Help Desk Manager

At CoreLogic, I took on the pivotal role of Help Desk Manager. My responsibilities included overseeing the daily operations of the help desk team, ensuring timely resolution of IT issues, and implementing effective IT service management practices. I was also involved in recruiting, training, and mentoring new help desk staff, as well as devising strategies to enhance customer satisfaction. My leadership resulted in improved response times and a higher rate of first-call resolutions.

2006-2010: PC Helps Support - Help Desk Support and Training

During my tenure at PC Helps Support, I wore multiple hats, ranging from providing top-notch help desk support to designing and delivering training programs for new hires. My role primarily revolved around troubleshooting software and hardware issues, guiding users through step-by-step solutions, and continuously updating our knowledge base. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in onboarding and training new team members, ensuring that they were well-equipped to handle the diverse range of technical queries.

School Projects

INFOST110: Study of Social Issues surrounding Intellectual Property

This comprehensive study aimed to shed light on the societal implications related to intellectual property rights. By examining case studies and historical data, the project illustrated the balance between innovation, ownership, and the collective benefits of shared knowledge. The research underscored the importance of fair use, copyright infringement consequences, and the impact of intellectual property on economic growth.

INFOST120: An Analysis of the ISC2 Code of Ethics

This analytical project delved deep into the ISC2 Code of Ethics, dissecting its principles and its importance in shaping the behavior of IT professionals. By juxtaposing real-world scenarios against the code, the analysis highlighted how ethical decisions play a pivotal role in IT practices and the broader societal context.

INFOST240: A Functional WordPress database and site for Role-Playing Game history

This project involved the creation of a dynamic WordPress site dedicated to chronicling the history of role-playing games. Leveraging WordPress's CMS capabilities, the site featured interactive timelines, detailed game reviews, and user-generated content. The backend database ensured efficient data retrieval and storage, providing an immersive experience for visitors.

INFOST250: A whitepaper on facilitating proper authenticated access through security groups

This whitepaper addressed the critical aspect of authenticated access in IT systems. By examining various authentication protocols and methods, the research emphasized the importance of security groups in ensuring granular access control. The paper proposed best practices for group management and highlighted potential pitfalls in misconfigured access controls.

INFOST350: A functioning warehouse database system in Python

This hands-on project involved designing and implementing a robust warehouse database system using Python. The system was capable of handling inventory management, tracking shipments, and generating sales reports. By leveraging Python's powerful libraries, the database system ensured efficient data processing and a user-friendly interface for warehouse personnel.

INFOST440: A user management system for a website

This project focused on developing a comprehensive user management system for a website. The system facilitated user registration, profile management, access controls, and activity tracking. By prioritizing user experience and security, the system offered both intuitive interfaces for users and robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

These projects have equipped me with a profound understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of Information Studies. I am eager to leverage this knowledge in real-world scenarios and contribute to the field.