Today was a continuation of progress in multiple dimensions: automation, creative tools, and self-reflection. I focused on expanding my automation capabilities and delving deeper into SOAR tools, Python, and AWS Skill Builder courses. This is part of my broader goal to solidify my DevSecOps journey, a path that combines cybersecurity, automation, machine learning, and threat hunting, a path I believe prepares me for anything.

Automation and SOAR Playbooks

SOAR was my first real introduction to automation. For those unfamiliar, playbooks in SOAR are predefined workflows that automate security processes, enabling faster and more consistent incident response. At first, I found them overwhelming; juggling incidents and projects while trying to learn new tools left me feeling stretched thin. But as I revisit these tools, I’m reminded of how much potential they hold for optimizing workflows and amplifying the capabilities of security professionals.

An article I read today, SOAR Is Dead, Long Live SOAR, highlights how SOAR tools are evolving to meet the demands of modern cybersecurity. With the growing emphasis on automation, I feel a renewed sense of excitement to integrate these tools more effectively into my workflow.

The Transformative Role of AI in Cybersecurity

AI continues to be a central theme in my journey. While I’ve been using AI tools for some time, I’m now diving deeper into how they can complement cybersecurity efforts. An article, How Generative AI is Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity, emphasized how AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a transformative force reshaping how we think about threats and defenses.

I also tested tools that convert images into videos and explored MidJourney for image generation. While the results weren’t entirely what I’d hoped, it was a reminder of the creative potential these tools hold. I’m constantly looking for ways to merge creativity with practicality in my projects, and these experiments, though imperfect, fuel my imagination.

Future of Jobs and the Decline of Graphic Designers

A surprising insight from the Future of Jobs Report 2025 was the projected decline in graphic designers. This caught my attention because it underscores how automation and AI are reshaping industries I’ve dabbled in creatively. While tech roles like DevSecOps engineers remain in demand, the decline in creative fields challenges me to think about how I can innovate and adapt.

Navigating Whimsy and Reality

In reflecting on my journey, I’ve realized how often my imagination collides with the realities of the world. My mind is constantly creating, visualizing surreal spaces where physics, rules, and limitations fade away. It’s why I’m drawn to surrealism, games like Kingdom Hearts, and movies like Sucker Punch. These stories resonate deeply with me because they mirror my internal conflict between boundless creativity and external constraints.

This whimsy fuels my vision for future projects, like VR games that blend storytelling, exploration, and creativity into an immersive experience. I dream of creating a game that allows others to tell their own stories within a surreal and expressive world.

Grounding in Practicality

Despite my whimsical nature, I’ve taken tangible steps to ground myself in practicality:

• I’ve deployed my own SIEM.
• Purchased AWS certification vouchers.
• Enrolled in ISC2’s free program.
• Joined theHackTheBox student program.
• Maintained consistent blogging and live streams.
• Experimented with tools like SOAR, Adobe CC, Obsidian, Zapier and Notion.

These steps remind me that creativity and practicality aren’t opposites but partners. By balancing the two, I’m forging a path that’s uniquely mine.

A Call to Collaboration

As I continue this journey, I invite you to reflect on your own experiences. How do you balance creativity with the practical demands of your field? How do you see AI influencing the way we work and create?

Let’s explore these ideas together and build a future where innovation and imagination thrive side by side.