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

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

Nov 25, 2025

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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.

Cover image for Starla Condes appears smiling inside a blurred office setting. Text on the image reads “Security+ Certification Vlog,” “With Starla Condes, Portfolio Manager, Talent Acquisition,” and “Week 2: One Page at a Time.”

Workforce Development

Security+ Certification: Week 2 – One Page at a Time

Nov 7, 2025

Week 2 of Starla Condes’ Security+ Certification Series finds her deep in the grind — juggling work, family, and late-night study sessions while pushing through the first domains of the CompTIA Security+ exam. Her schedule is packed from the moment she wakes up until the lights go out, and yet she’s proving that progress in cybersecurity certification is possible for anyone willing to stay consistent.The Reality Behind the RoutineStarla’s day starts at six in the morning. Between getting her kids ready, commuting through traffic, working a full day, cooking dinner, helping with homework, and bedtime routines, her nights don’t truly start until 9:30 p.m. That’s when she opens her laptop, reviews her notes, and studies until around midnight.It’s exhausting, but her focus is clear: consistency. Even her commute has turned into part of her study plan. She listens to Professor Messer’s Security+ lessons during her 40-minute drive, reinforcing concepts she studied the night before.The way she sees it, it’s not about having long, perfect study blocks — it’s about showing up every single day. “You eat an elephant one bite at a time,” she says, quoting her husband. And that mindset perfectly sums up how she’s approaching one of the most widely recognized cybersecurity certifications in the world.Understanding the MaterialBy Week 2, Starla has started working through the second Security+ domain while reviewing the first. She’s learning core cybersecurity principles like the CIA Triad — confidentiality, integrity, and availability — which form the foundation for all security decisions.According to CompTIA, these pillars are among the first and most critical concepts tested on the Security+ exam because they represent the goals of every security control and policy. She’s also exploring the differences between authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) — concepts that govern how users access and interact with systems securely.For someone without a technical background, these topics can feel foreign at first. But with time and repetition, they start to click. As Starla puts it, “What I like about Professor Messer is that he explains it in layman’s terms — in a way that makes sense to somebody like myself who doesn’t have formal training or experience.”How the Work Adds UpStarla has 79 days left in her 90-day plan. Each week she’s tackling a new domain, building confidence as she goes. Her goal is to complete all five domains by the end of the month, setting her up for two weeks of focused exam prep and practice tests before sitting for the certification.Her approach mirrors what learning science supports: steady, distributed study over time is far more effective than cramming. Even short, consistent sessions strengthen recall and understanding — a method especially valuable for adult learners balancing multiple priorities.Takeaway for the Security+ CuriousStarla’s experience shows that earning the Security+ isn’t reserved for people with a technical background. It’s for anyone who wants to understand cybersecurity fundamentals and is willing to put in the time.Start with a plan. Break the material into manageable domains and schedule time daily.Use relatable resources. Professor Messer’s videos, CompTIA’s official guides, and free online communities make the material accessible.Stay consistent. Even 30–60 minutes a day builds momentum faster than you think.Embrace the process. The goal isn’t to memorize; it’s to understand and apply.As Starla says, the biggest key is consistency. “You attack Security+ one page at a time.”Watch Week 1 to see where it all started and stay tuned for Week 3!

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