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Security+ Certification: Week 4 – Building Confidence Without Perfect Conditions

Security+ Certification: Week 4 – Building Confidence Without Perfect Conditions

Dec 18, 2025

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Cover image for Wide banner featuring Jason Merrell, Sr. Systems and Integration Engineer, smiling in a white dress shirt and red striped tie. The left side includes a red ‘Employee Spotlight’ banner above his name in bold white text. The background is a dark floral pattern with subtle circuitry elements.

Company News

Employee Spotlight: Jason Merrell, Sr. Systems & Integration Officer

Nov 25, 2025

Some people see systems as wires, code, and architecture. Jason Merrell sees all of that, but he also sees possibility. He is the kind of engineer who treats technology like a medium for expression. The work is technical, but the impact is always about the experience.The Choice to Build Something DifferentWhen Jason first learned about the role, he was drawn to one specific idea. He wanted a place that respected proven methods yet still allowed room for invention. Through the interview process, he realized he had found a culture that encouraged careful questioning rather than automatic acceptance.Jason says the part that stood out most was the freedom to choose his own approach. He is accountable for results, but the path is his to design. That freedom matters because many of the challenges he works on have no blueprint. The team is solving problems without direct examples to follow. Jason is energized by that kind of blank canvas.Technology as an ExperienceAt his core, Jason creates. He loves giving people something they can interact with, something that feels intentional. The internet, to him, is the ultimate place to build. It is where artistry and engineering meet.Jason’s curiosity fuels his skillset. He looks at a problem and asks how it should feel for the person on the other side of the solution. His technical decisions are shaped by this instinct. He thinks about the interaction, not just the function. That perspective turns complicated systems into something intuitive.Life Outside the KeyboardOutside of work, Jason’s life is full. Three kids keep him in constant motion with birthday parties, practices, and all the joyful chaos that comes with raising a busy family. When he gets time to breathe, he enjoys being with his wife and friends, watching the kids play, or simply enjoying a good drink and some good company.He also plays video games, although he approaches them like a designer. He studies how creators portray worlds, how they communicate ideas, and how they build atmosphere. It is both entertainment and inspiration.And no matter where he is, he stays the same person. What you see at work is what you will see out in the world. The only change might be whatever drink he is holding.A Creative Mind in a Technical RoleJason brings imagination to engineering. He brings clarity to the undefined. And he brings authenticity everywhere he goes. His story is one of curiosity, creativity, and a genuine love for the craft. He reminds people that great systems do more than function. They communicate. They shape experiences. They make life feel just a little smoother.

Cover image for Starla Condes appears on screen with a blurred background of handwritten study notes. Text reads “Security+ Certification Vlog,” “With Starla Condes, Portfolio Manager, Talent Acquisition,” and “Week 3: Persistence Matters More Than Comfort.”

Workforce Development

Security+ Certification: Week 3 – Persistence Matters More Than Comfort

Nov 21, 2025

Week 3 of Starla Condes’ Security+ Certification Series focuses on one of the most relatable parts of the certification process: the moment when the material stops feeling familiar and starts feeling genuinely challenging. This is the point where many learners question whether they belong in cybersecurity at all. Starla is right in the middle of that experience, and she’s showing what it looks like to push through confusion and build real understanding instead of memorizing terms.When the Concepts Start to Stretch YouThis week, Starla found herself wrestling with a topic that trips up a lot of beginners: the difference between virtualization and cloud computing. In her vlog, she admits she wasn’t fully grasping the distinction. Instead of guessing or moving on, she paused, researched, and broke the concepts down until they made sense.Her takeaway is exactly right:Virtualization is the underlying technology that lets you create virtual versions of hardware like servers, storage, and networks.Cloud computing is the delivery of those virtualized resources over the internet as a service.As defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), cloud computing depends on virtualization but adds characteristics like on-demand self-service, resource pooling, and broad network access. Understanding that relationship helps learners frame security risks at both the system level and the service level, which is foundational for the Security+ exam.Why This Matters for Non-Technical RolesStarla highlights something important: even in a non-technical position like Talent Acquisition, understanding these concepts has real value. She supports cybersecurity programs and staffing efforts, and deeper understanding helps her connect people, roles, and requirements more accurately.This is a perfect example of how cybersecurity knowledge extends beyond traditional IT roles. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) emphasizes that cyber awareness and foundational skills are increasingly expected across the entire digital workforce, not just engineers or analysts.Starla’s commitment reflects one of NTI’s core values: Be or Seek the Authoritative Source. She recognizes that guessing is not an option in environments where accuracy and trust matter.Representing Learners Who Feel Out of PlaceOne of the strongest parts of Starla’s Week 3 reflection is her acknowledgment that many people studying for Security+ feel like the field was never designed for them. Whether someone is raising kids, switching careers, coming from a non-technical job, or simply balancing too much at once, imposter syndrome is common.She speaks directly to those learners, saying:If you are studying while holding everything else together, you are not alone. Every page, every pause, and every question builds something new.This honesty matters. Research from the Aspen Institute and (ISC) shows that adults entering cybersecurity from non-traditional backgrounds often succeed when the learning environment acknowledges real-life constraints rather than glossing over them.The Value of Slow, Honest ProgressStarla’s Week 3 wasn’t about flawless studying, but instead sticking with difficult concepts until they make sense and recognizing that this process is what builds true competency.For anyone Security+ curious, Starla’s Week 3 message is clear:You do not need a technical background to understand this material.You do need patience and a willingness to slow down and ask the right questions.Confusion is normal. Working through it is where confidence comes from.Consistency matters more than perfect conditions.This week captures an essential truth: growth happens in the moments when the material gets uncomfortable.Stay tuned for Week 4 as Starla continues tackling the domains and shifting from early understanding into deeper application.

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