Caleb D. Ferguson
Florida Panhandle
Summary
Cybersecurity Specialist with extensive experience at RapidAscent, specializing in threat detection and incident response. Demonstrated success in reducing attack surfaces and enhancing security protocols through advanced vulnerability management. Proficient in Python scripting and risk assessment, leading to significant improvements in operational efficiency and security posture.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Cybersecurity Specialist
RapidAscent
04.2025 - Current
- 800+ Hours of Intensive Training: Completed a full-time, hands-on cybersecurity program covering SOC operations, threat intelligence, penetration testing, and cloud security across aerospace, finance, energy, and defense sectors.
- Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC): Created and enforced a wide range of security policies, risk assessments, and incident response protocols, totaling over a dozen, ensuring alignment with NIST 800-53, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, FedRAMP, and FISMA standards.
- Network & Systems Security: Fortified dozens of Windows and Linux systems by securing Active Directory environments, firewalls, and Zero Trust frameworks, resulting in a 40 percent reduction in attack surface during enterprise simulations.
- Threat Hunting & Incident Response: Led threat investigations using MITRE ATT&CK, PCAPs, and SIEM correlation, reducing Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) by 40% and improving first-response playbook execution.
- Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Management: Executed vulnerability scans with Nmap and Nessus across diverse environments, identifying critical CVEs and enabling a 90% remediation success rate within four weeks.
- Secure Coding & Automation: Developed more than 10 custom Python and Bash scripts to streamline log analysis, automate incident workflows, and harden configurations, improving response time by over 60 percent.
- SOC Engineering & Threat Response: Monitored, triaged, and responded to over 5,000 simulated threat events in a live SOC cyber range, optimizing detection workflows and reducing threat dwell time to under 3 hours.
- Red & Blue Team Operations: Simulated real-world cyberattacks such as ransomware, phishing, and privilege escalation, reducing average threat dwell time from over 24 hours to under 3 hours during SOC drills.
Applied Cybersecurity Lab-Based Training
TryHackMe
04.2025 - Current
- 100+ Hours of Practical Cybersecurity Training: Completed structured, hands-on labs covering penetration testing, incident response, SOC operations, and cloud security.
- Network and Web Application Penetration Testing: Performed penetration tests across a range of environments, uncovering high-impact vulnerabilities and achieving an estimated nine out of ten remediation success rate.
- Threat Detection and Incident Response: Analyzed more than 25 simulated attacks by examining over 5,000 logs, SIEM alerts, and PCAPs to identify Indicators of Compromise and orchestrate effective responses.
- Security Monitoring and SIEM Optimization: Built and refined Splunk dashboards to correlate threat events and reduce false positives by roughly one-third, while boosting detection speed by 40 percent.
- Red and Blue Team Simulations: Led over 15 cyber warfare scenarios, including privilege escalation, lateral movement, and reverse shell attacks, decreasing average threat dwell time to less than 3 hours.
- Cloud Security and Zero Trust Architecture: Hardened AWS environments by refining IAM policies, enforcing least-privilege access, and deploying automated security checks to strengthen Zero Trust architecture.
- Security Automation and Scripting: Developed Python and Bash scripts to automate intrusion detection, log parsing, and provisioning, improving response time by over 60% and eliminating repetitive analyst tasks.
- Digital Forensics and Malware Analysis: Leveraged the MITRE ATT&CK framework to investigate advanced threat actor behaviors, dissect ransomware payloads, and reverse engineer malicious binaries.
Budget and Resource Analyst
US Air Force, 436th Security Forces Squadron, Dover AFB, DE
Dover AFB
07.2017 - 07.2019
- Developed and implemented resource management strategies with cross-functional teams, optimizing allocation aligned with organizational goals.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations during resource acquisition, minimizing legal and operational risks.
- Monitored resource usage trends to identify process improvement opportunities and cost-saving measures.
- Conducted risk assessments for changes in resource availability, proactively mitigating financial impacts.
- Oversaw budget planning for security operations, maintaining fiscal accountability and optimal fund utilization.
- Managed procurement of equipment and supplies, ensuring mission readiness through effective inventory control.
Anti-Terrorism Program Manager
US Air Force, 90th Security Forces Group, F. E. Warren AFB, WY
F. E. Warren AFB
07.2021 - 06.2023
- Led the development and implementation of a base-wide anti-terrorism program by collaborating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which enhanced response efficiency by 40% and prevented security breaches during heightened threat periods.
- Conducted comprehensive vulnerability assessments of base facilities and operations, developing and presenting mitigation strategies that reduced high-risk threat vectors by 60%, strengthening overall security posture.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams and external agencies to define scope, objectives, and timelines for high-security projects, successfully delivering all milestones on time and under budget in alignment with mission-critical requirements.
Security Operations Controller
US Air Force, 90th Security Forces Squadron, F. E. Warren AFB, WY
F. E. Warren AFB
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Monitored and directed real-time security operations within a high-security missile complex, ensuring continuous protection of critical assets through rapid response coordination and threat assessment.
- Maintained situational awareness and operational control over mobile response forces and ground assets, enabling swift, effective deployment during security incidents and maintaining mission readiness.
Physical Security Manager
US Air Force, 436th Security Forces Squadron, Dover AFB, DE
Dover AFB
03.2015 - 07.2017
- Designed and maintained access control systems, alarm networks, and surveillance protocols, ensuring secure facility operations and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
- Conducted comprehensive physical security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and implementing targeted corrective actions that strengthened security posture and reduced risk exposure.
Security Operations Supervisor
US Air Force, Security Forces, Various locations
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Led law enforcement and base security operations in high-threat environments, supervising teams of up to 60 personnel to maintain security readiness and mission effectiveness.
- Evaluated security personnel performance through formal reviews and on-the-job assessments, delivering timely, constructive feedback to enhance team capabilities and professionalism.
- Conducted in-depth investigations of theft, vandalism, and security breaches, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Authored comprehensive reports detailing security incidents and operational activities, enabling leadership to make informed decisions on security posture and resource allocation.
- Directed rapid response to alarms and emergency situations, ensuring swift containment and resolution of incidents to safeguard personnel and assets.
Criminal Investigator
US Air Force, 48th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
RAF Lakenheath
06.2009 - 10.2010
- Conducted thorough background checks on individuals involved in investigations, gathering critical information to support case development and risk assessments.
- Tracked and monitored subjects under investigation, maintaining detailed records to support ongoing inquiries and ensure operational integrity.
- Analyzed investigative data to identify trends, patterns, and potential threats, providing actionable insights to leadership and enforcement teams.
- Utilized advanced technology tools, including surveillance equipment and computer databases, to enhance investigative capabilities and streamline evidence collection.
Law Enforcement Officer/Patrol Supervisor
US Air Force, 82nd Security Forces Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas
Sheppard AFB
10.2005 - 05.2009
- Gathered evidence, documented observations, and prepared detailed case reports to support legal proceedings and successful prosecutions.
- Led investigations and emergency responses in high-pressure situations, applying sound judgment and leadership to resolve incidents effectively.
- Enforced laws and monitored traffic activities, proactively deterring criminal acts and ensuring public safety.
- Responded to diverse domestic altercation calls, leveraging conflict resolution training to de-escalate situations and protect all parties involved.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science, Cybersecurity
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05.2026
Undergraduate Certificate - Cybersecurity Fundamentals
City University of Seattle, RapidAscent
Seattle, WA08.2025
Associates of Science - Criminal Justice
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL05.2015
Skills
- Programming languages: Python, Bash, PowerShell
- Cloud platforms: Google Cloud, AWS
- Data visualization: Power BI, Tableau
- Virtual machines: Oracle VirtualBox
- Operating systems: Windows, Ubuntu, Kali Linux
- Cybersecurity tools: Bloodhound, Burp Suite, Gobuster, Hydra, John the Ripper, Metasploit, Mimikatz, Nikto, Nmap, OWASP ZAP, SQLmap, Wireshark
- SIEM systems: Splunk, Elastic
- Intrusion detection: Snort, Suricata
- Endpoint detection and response: Wazuh
- Vulnerability scanners: OpenVAS, Nessus
- Forensic tools: Autopsy, EnCase, FTK Imager
- Security frameworks: NIST CSF, NIST SP 800-53, CIS Controls
- Compliance tools: STIG Viewer, SCAP
- Incident response and management
- Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing
- Risk assessment and log analysis
- Network administration and firewalls
- Security protocols and data loss prevention
Certification
- Security + CompTIA Aug 2025
- Dynamics of International Terrorism Air Force Special Operations Command May 2023
- Security Engineering Course Army Corps of Engineers Dec 2022
- Anti-Terrorism Officer Level 2 Air Force Special Operations Command Feb 2022
- DTRA Security Operations Defense Threat Reduction Agency Sep 2015
Work Type
Full TimeContract WorkGig WorkWork Location
On-SiteRemoteHybridTimeline
Cybersecurity Specialist
RapidAscent
04.2025 - Current
Applied Cybersecurity Lab-Based Training
TryHackMe
04.2025 - Current
Anti-Terrorism Program Manager
US Air Force, 90th Security Forces Group, F. E. Warren AFB, WY
07.2021 - 06.2023
Security Operations Controller
US Air Force, 90th Security Forces Squadron, F. E. Warren AFB, WY
08.2019 - 06.2020
Budget and Resource Analyst
US Air Force, 436th Security Forces Squadron, Dover AFB, DE
07.2017 - 07.2019
Physical Security Manager
US Air Force, 436th Security Forces Squadron, Dover AFB, DE
03.2015 - 07.2017
Security Operations Supervisor
US Air Force, Security Forces, Various locations
01.2013 - 01.2015
Criminal Investigator
US Air Force, 48th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
06.2009 - 10.2010
Law Enforcement Officer/Patrol Supervisor
US Air Force, 82nd Security Forces Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas
10.2005 - 05.2009
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science, Cybersecurity
Liberty University
Undergraduate Certificate - Cybersecurity Fundamentals
City University of Seattle, RapidAscent
Associates of Science - Criminal Justice
Community College of The Air Force
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