Edition #12: The Next Chapter

Author

Dominic Alegrete
February 03, 2026

Twelve editions later, the work continues with the same focus and intention.

🚀 Milestones & Moments: One Year In

This month marks one full year of me putting out this newsletter. It still feels unreal to say that out loud. 

What started as a simple way to share updates, lessons, and things I am learning has grown into something I genuinely enjoy creating. I appreciate everyone who has been supporting me along the way.

I also had the opportunity to be on my first webinar this month, Cyber Talks, hosted by Nate Butler. Thank you to Nate for having me on. It was a great experience being able to speak to his network about what it is really like working as a SOC Analyst and what it takes to break into the role.

I am also getting ready for the BEYA Conference happening February 12 through 14. I will be teaching high school students how to start a career in cybersecurity. 

I am super excited to be able to give back to the next generation and be someone they can look to for inspiration. 

It is my first time doing something like this for students, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that BEYA has provided me.

On a personal note, I also ran my first 5K this month and hit a personal best time of 24 minutes. I definitely look forward to running more of them, along with a half-marathon, by the end of the year. 

Looking ahead to the new year, I have a lot of goals I want to hit within my cybersecurity career, and continuing to learn is a big focus for me. 

I plan to get multiple certifications by the end of the year (SecurityX, Azure AI 900, and BTL1). I truly believe these certifications will help me level up even more as I continue to grow as a SOC analyst.

Writing this 12th edition has reminded me that nothing is an overnight success, and progress comes from doing the little things consistently every day. I cannot wait to see what this year has in store.

🌍 The Youngest in Charge Playbook

I am proud to share that The Youngest In Charge Playbook will be released this month.

I want to apologize for the delay. Part of that came from the process of finding a new designer and transitioning from one I had. That said, the quality and attention behind this project have never changed, and I will have this out this month.

This playbook is a guide to help you level up in your career, improve your health and wellness, and move toward financial freedom. It’s been in the works for months, and I’m excited to finally bring it to life.

Inside, you’ll find the same tools, strategies, and mindset that have helped me along my path.

🛡️Cybersecurity Update: ShinyHunters Phishing Campaign

A recent phishing campaign linked to a popular cybercrime group known as ShinyHunters has targeted over 100 companies (Okta, HubSpot, GameStop, and more), using voice phishing and fake domains to trick employees into giving up credentials and sensitive data.

For more details, read the full article on SecurityWeek.

🔒Breach One, Teach One

This month, I broke down a multitude of data breaches within the industry, from GrubHub and Under Armour to even a regional branch of the Department of Health Services. And it goes to show that breaches can happen at any level. 

If you want to keep up with my latest videos, Subscribe to My YouTube.

💪Your Health is Your Greatest Asset

One thing that often gets overlooked in our day-to-day household routines is what we wash our clothing with. Name-brand laundry detergents like Tide and Gain contain chemicals that not only damage our clothes over time but can also impact our bodies as well. 

Many of these products are filled with artificial dyes, fragrances, and chemicals that can irritate the skin, affect hormones, and break down the fabric of our clothing.

Luckily, there are cleaner alternatives that use simpler ingredients, and if you cannot afford these alternatives, distilled white vinegar works just as well. Just add about half a cup of distilled vinegar to your wash cycle, and you're good to go.

Here are two options worth considering:

❓Question of the Month

What is one technical skill or tool you learned that had the biggest impact on your career, and how did you apply it?

🗓️Upcoming Events

BEYA Conference:

The BEYA STEM Conference takes place February 12th-14th in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a great opportunity for high school and college students, along with early career professionals, to connect with each other and top professionals in the STEM industry.

I will also be hosting a cybersecurity pre-college workshop.

For those attending the conference and interested in checking it out, my workshop will be on February 13, in Room 302, starting at 10:00 AM EST.

📚What I’m Reading This Month

This month, I am reading Turning Pro. The book is about shifting your mindset from being an amateur to turning pro and the sacrifices that come with it.

If you have any book or article recommendations, reply to this email and send them my way. I’m always open to new insights!

🔹Resource Spotlight: Udemy

Being in cybersecurity, self learning is part of the journey. Outside of hands-on projects, courses help with that as well, and Udemy has been one of the most useful platforms for me. I have used it for every certification I have passed, and I like that they run monthly deals that make their courses affordable for everyone.

💭 A Thought to Keep in Mind

“It's not all about talent. It's about dependability, consistency, and being able to improve. If you work hard and you're coachable, and you understand what you need to do, you can improve.”

- Bill Belichick

📩 Let’s Stay Connected

I appreciate you being part of my journey and taking the time to read this update.

If you ever no longer wish to receive my emails, please reply "remove", and I’ll take you off my list.

Thank you kindly.

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