C.Ellyson-tech career blueprint
@techwithellyson.bsky.social
AWS Cloud Sec Engineer | purple teamer||stake holder ||documenting || helping beginners start cloud sec https://techellyson.gumroad.com/l/jrrwqq
Why Most Cloud Security Learners Stay Invisible
Skills alone don’t create opportunities.
Visibility does.
If no one knows what you know,
the market can’t reward you.
Skills alone don’t create opportunities.
Visibility does.
If no one knows what you know,
the market can’t reward you.
December 18, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Why Most Cloud Security Learners Stay Invisible
Skills alone don’t create opportunities.
Visibility does.
If no one knows what you know,
the market can’t reward you.
Skills alone don’t create opportunities.
Visibility does.
If no one knows what you know,
the market can’t reward you.
Simple Cloud Threat Model (Beginner-Friendly)
1️⃣ Identify critical assets
2️⃣ Map identities that access them
3️⃣ Trace access paths
4️⃣ Identify misconfig risks
5️⃣ Add detection + prevention
This alone improves security maturity.
1️⃣ Identify critical assets
2️⃣ Map identities that access them
3️⃣ Trace access paths
4️⃣ Identify misconfig risks
5️⃣ Add detection + prevention
This alone improves security maturity.
December 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Simple Cloud Threat Model (Beginner-Friendly)
1️⃣ Identify critical assets
2️⃣ Map identities that access them
3️⃣ Trace access paths
4️⃣ Identify misconfig risks
5️⃣ Add detection + prevention
This alone improves security maturity.
1️⃣ Identify critical assets
2️⃣ Map identities that access them
3️⃣ Trace access paths
4️⃣ Identify misconfig risks
5️⃣ Add detection + prevention
This alone improves security maturity.
7 Cloud Detection Signals to Track
– Privilege escalation attempts
– IAM policy changes
– Public S3 bucket changes
– Security group changes
– Unauthorized API calls
– KMS key misuse
– GuardDuty high-severity alerts
If you monitor these, you’re ahead of 90% of teams.
– Privilege escalation attempts
– IAM policy changes
– Public S3 bucket changes
– Security group changes
– Unauthorized API calls
– KMS key misuse
– GuardDuty high-severity alerts
If you monitor these, you’re ahead of 90% of teams.
December 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
7 Cloud Detection Signals to Track
– Privilege escalation attempts
– IAM policy changes
– Public S3 bucket changes
– Security group changes
– Unauthorized API calls
– KMS key misuse
– GuardDuty high-severity alerts
If you monitor these, you’re ahead of 90% of teams.
– Privilege escalation attempts
– IAM policy changes
– Public S3 bucket changes
– Security group changes
– Unauthorized API calls
– KMS key misuse
– GuardDuty high-severity alerts
If you monitor these, you’re ahead of 90% of teams.
Cloud Security Isn’t About Stopping Attacks
It’s about detecting them early.
Detection > Prevention.
Why?
Because misconfigs, human mistakes, and new exploits will still exist.
Visibility saves you.
It’s about detecting them early.
Detection > Prevention.
Why?
Because misconfigs, human mistakes, and new exploits will still exist.
Visibility saves you.
December 17, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Cloud Security Isn’t About Stopping Attacks
It’s about detecting them early.
Detection > Prevention.
Why?
Because misconfigs, human mistakes, and new exploits will still exist.
Visibility saves you.
It’s about detecting them early.
Detection > Prevention.
Why?
Because misconfigs, human mistakes, and new exploits will still exist.
Visibility saves you.
Your First VPC Should Have This Layout
– Public subnet (load balancer only)
– Private subnet (app layer)
– Isolated subnet (databases)
– NAT gateway for controlled outbound
– Strict SG rules
This layout prevents careless exposure.
– Public subnet (load balancer only)
– Private subnet (app layer)
– Isolated subnet (databases)
– NAT gateway for controlled outbound
– Strict SG rules
This layout prevents careless exposure.
December 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Your First VPC Should Have This Layout
– Public subnet (load balancer only)
– Private subnet (app layer)
– Isolated subnet (databases)
– NAT gateway for controlled outbound
– Strict SG rules
This layout prevents careless exposure.
– Public subnet (load balancer only)
– Private subnet (app layer)
– Isolated subnet (databases)
– NAT gateway for controlled outbound
– Strict SG rules
This layout prevents careless exposure.
The Most Misunderstood AWS Concept
People think VPC is networking…
But it’s actually segmentation.
And segmentation is what keeps attackers from moving across your environment.
People think VPC is networking…
But it’s actually segmentation.
And segmentation is what keeps attackers from moving across your environment.
December 16, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The Most Misunderstood AWS Concept
People think VPC is networking…
But it’s actually segmentation.
And segmentation is what keeps attackers from moving across your environment.
People think VPC is networking…
But it’s actually segmentation.
And segmentation is what keeps attackers from moving across your environment.
Lambda Security Checklist
– Use least-privilege IAM roles
– Turn on function-level logging
– Enable X-Ray
– Store secrets in Secrets Manager
– Add concurrency limits
Your functions need boundaries too.
– Use least-privilege IAM roles
– Turn on function-level logging
– Enable X-Ray
– Store secrets in Secrets Manager
– Add concurrency limits
Your functions need boundaries too.
December 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Lambda Security Checklist
– Use least-privilege IAM roles
– Turn on function-level logging
– Enable X-Ray
– Store secrets in Secrets Manager
– Add concurrency limits
Your functions need boundaries too.
– Use least-privilege IAM roles
– Turn on function-level logging
– Enable X-Ray
– Store secrets in Secrets Manager
– Add concurrency limits
Your functions need boundaries too.
Why Serverless Doesn’t Mean Secure
People think serverless = no servers = no security.
Truth:
Serverless removes infrastructure BUT increases identity-based attack risks.
Your biggest threat is over-permissioned Lambda roles.
People think serverless = no servers = no security.
Truth:
Serverless removes infrastructure BUT increases identity-based attack risks.
Your biggest threat is over-permissioned Lambda roles.
December 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Why Serverless Doesn’t Mean Secure
People think serverless = no servers = no security.
Truth:
Serverless removes infrastructure BUT increases identity-based attack risks.
Your biggest threat is over-permissioned Lambda roles.
People think serverless = no servers = no security.
Truth:
Serverless removes infrastructure BUT increases identity-based attack risks.
Your biggest threat is over-permissioned Lambda roles.
5 S3 Hardening Steps Beginners Miss
– Block Public Access (GLOBAL)
– Enable default encryption (KMS if possible)
– Turn on Access Logs
– Use bucket policies only when required
– Enforce least privilege on IAM roles
Small changes → huge risk reduction.
– Block Public Access (GLOBAL)
– Enable default encryption (KMS if possible)
– Turn on Access Logs
– Use bucket policies only when required
– Enforce least privilege on IAM roles
Small changes → huge risk reduction.
December 15, 2025 at 8:01 PM
5 S3 Hardening Steps Beginners Miss
– Block Public Access (GLOBAL)
– Enable default encryption (KMS if possible)
– Turn on Access Logs
– Use bucket policies only when required
– Enforce least privilege on IAM roles
Small changes → huge risk reduction.
– Block Public Access (GLOBAL)
– Enable default encryption (KMS if possible)
– Turn on Access Logs
– Use bucket policies only when required
– Enforce least privilege on IAM roles
Small changes → huge risk reduction.
Action cures all
December 15, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Action cures all
S3 Is Not “Just Storage”
S3 is a full-blown access control challenge.
The real risk isn’t buckets…
…it’s misconfigurations:
– Public ACLs
– Unrestricted bucket policies
– No encryption
– No logging
Mastering S3 security is mandatory.
S3 is a full-blown access control challenge.
The real risk isn’t buckets…
…it’s misconfigurations:
– Public ACLs
– Unrestricted bucket policies
– No encryption
– No logging
Mastering S3 security is mandatory.
December 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
S3 Is Not “Just Storage”
S3 is a full-blown access control challenge.
The real risk isn’t buckets…
…it’s misconfigurations:
– Public ACLs
– Unrestricted bucket policies
– No encryption
– No logging
Mastering S3 security is mandatory.
S3 is a full-blown access control challenge.
The real risk isn’t buckets…
…it’s misconfigurations:
– Public ACLs
– Unrestricted bucket policies
– No encryption
– No logging
Mastering S3 security is mandatory.
The 5-Step Least Privilege Blueprint
1️⃣ Identify required actions
2️⃣ Remove wildcard permissions
3️⃣ Use Access Advisor to trim unused actions
4️⃣ Apply permission boundaries
5️⃣ Review every 30 days
Least privilege is a living process.
1️⃣ Identify required actions
2️⃣ Remove wildcard permissions
3️⃣ Use Access Advisor to trim unused actions
4️⃣ Apply permission boundaries
5️⃣ Review every 30 days
Least privilege is a living process.
December 15, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The 5-Step Least Privilege Blueprint
1️⃣ Identify required actions
2️⃣ Remove wildcard permissions
3️⃣ Use Access Advisor to trim unused actions
4️⃣ Apply permission boundaries
5️⃣ Review every 30 days
Least privilege is a living process.
1️⃣ Identify required actions
2️⃣ Remove wildcard permissions
3️⃣ Use Access Advisor to trim unused actions
4️⃣ Apply permission boundaries
5️⃣ Review every 30 days
Least privilege is a living process.
Why Least Privilege Is Harder Than It Sounds
Least privilege isn’t ‘give fewer permissions.’
It’s:
– No unused permissions
– No privilege inheritance
– No wildcard roles
– No human admins
It requires continuous refinement, not a one-time setup.
Least privilege isn’t ‘give fewer permissions.’
It’s:
– No unused permissions
– No privilege inheritance
– No wildcard roles
– No human admins
It requires continuous refinement, not a one-time setup.
December 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Why Least Privilege Is Harder Than It Sounds
Least privilege isn’t ‘give fewer permissions.’
It’s:
– No unused permissions
– No privilege inheritance
– No wildcard roles
– No human admins
It requires continuous refinement, not a one-time setup.
Least privilege isn’t ‘give fewer permissions.’
It’s:
– No unused permissions
– No privilege inheritance
– No wildcard roles
– No human admins
It requires continuous refinement, not a one-time setup.
Authentication Testing Basics
Authentication testing evaluates how systems verify user identities. Key areas: credential handling, session management, MFA robustness, error feedback, and authorization overlaps. Use tools like Burp Suite ethically with permission. #CyberSecurity
Authentication testing evaluates how systems verify user identities. Key areas: credential handling, session management, MFA robustness, error feedback, and authorization overlaps. Use tools like Burp Suite ethically with permission. #CyberSecurity
December 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Authentication Testing Basics
Authentication testing evaluates how systems verify user identities. Key areas: credential handling, session management, MFA robustness, error feedback, and authorization overlaps. Use tools like Burp Suite ethically with permission. #CyberSecurity
Authentication testing evaluates how systems verify user identities. Key areas: credential handling, session management, MFA robustness, error feedback, and authorization overlaps. Use tools like Burp Suite ethically with permission. #CyberSecurity
Nobody tells beginners this:
Tech isn’t hard.
Direction is.
Most people fail not because they’re dumb,
but because they’re learning everything at once.
Pick ONE path.
Build proof.
Everything changes.
Tech isn’t hard.
Direction is.
Most people fail not because they’re dumb,
but because they’re learning everything at once.
Pick ONE path.
Build proof.
Everything changes.
December 14, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Nobody tells beginners this:
Tech isn’t hard.
Direction is.
Most people fail not because they’re dumb,
but because they’re learning everything at once.
Pick ONE path.
Build proof.
Everything changes.
Tech isn’t hard.
Direction is.
Most people fail not because they’re dumb,
but because they’re learning everything at once.
Pick ONE path.
Build proof.
Everything changes.
Overlaps in Auth and Authz
Authentication confirms identity; authorization enforces access. Test both for comprehensive security. #SecurityBasics #DevSecOps
Authentication confirms identity; authorization enforces access. Test both for comprehensive security. #SecurityBasics #DevSecOps
December 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Overlaps in Auth and Authz
Authentication confirms identity; authorization enforces access. Test both for comprehensive security. #SecurityBasics #DevSecOps
Authentication confirms identity; authorization enforces access. Test both for comprehensive security. #SecurityBasics #DevSecOps
Template Injection (SSTI)
Probe with {{7*7}} for engines like Jinja. Escalate to RCE. Tools: tplmap. Sandbox templates. #SSTI #WebSecurity
Probe with {{7*7}} for engines like Jinja. Escalate to RCE. Tools: tplmap. Sandbox templates. #SSTI #WebSecurity
December 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Template Injection (SSTI)
Probe with {{7*7}} for engines like Jinja. Escalate to RCE. Tools: tplmap. Sandbox templates. #SSTI #WebSecurity
Probe with {{7*7}} for engines like Jinja. Escalate to RCE. Tools: tplmap. Sandbox templates. #SSTI #WebSecurity
☁️ Cloud newbie? Sign up AWS free tier, host a site in 1hr. Median $153K salary waiting. My blueprint makes it dummy-proof. FREE—DM "TECH" to deploy. No excuses. #CloudComputing
December 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
☁️ Cloud newbie? Sign up AWS free tier, host a site in 1hr. Median $153K salary waiting. My blueprint makes it dummy-proof. FREE—DM "TECH" to deploy. No excuses. #CloudComputing
📈 Sarah's glow-up: Retail manager to $95K UX in 4 months. How? 1 project + niche focus from my guide. Your story next? FREE 15pg roadmap. DM "TECH" to rewrite yours. #TechSuccess
December 13, 2025 at 8:01 AM
📈 Sarah's glow-up: Retail manager to $95K UX in 4 months. How? 1 project + niche focus from my guide. Your story next? FREE 15pg roadmap. DM "TECH" to rewrite yours. #TechSuccess
7 days free, then waitlist. My zero-to-6-figure tech guide—don't sleep on it. $120K pivots waiting. DM "TECH" NOW. Tomorrow's too late for today's hustle. #LimitedDrop
December 12, 2025 at 8:01 PM
7 days free, then waitlist. My zero-to-6-figure tech guide—don't sleep on it. $120K pivots waiting. DM "TECH" NOW. Tomorrow's too late for today's hustle. #LimitedDrop
Final flex: I went from ghosted to global gigs. You? Guide's got the map. Free till midnight—DM "TECH." Join the six-figure squad. What's your first move? #HustleCulture
December 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Final flex: I went from ghosted to global gigs. You? Guide's got the map. Free till midnight—DM "TECH." Join the six-figure squad. What's your first move? #HustleCulture
Accessing Resources Without Login
In authz testing, probe endpoints/APIs without auth tokens. Expect 401/403 errors. Direct URL access or client-side bypasses reveal flaws. Ethical testing only! #PenTest #BugBounty
In authz testing, probe endpoints/APIs without auth tokens. Expect 401/403 errors. Direct URL access or client-side bypasses reveal flaws. Ethical testing only! #PenTest #BugBounty
December 12, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Accessing Resources Without Login
In authz testing, probe endpoints/APIs without auth tokens. Expect 401/403 errors. Direct URL access or client-side bypasses reveal flaws. Ethical testing only! #PenTest #BugBounty
In authz testing, probe endpoints/APIs without auth tokens. Expect 401/403 errors. Direct URL access or client-side bypasses reveal flaws. Ethical testing only! #PenTest #BugBounty
⚠️ Shiny object syndrome killing your tech grind? Chased every trend, mastered none. Niche down FAST—guide shows how. Free download: Turn scatter to six figures. DM "TECH" today. #CareerPivot
December 11, 2025 at 8:03 PM
⚠️ Shiny object syndrome killing your tech grind? Chased every trend, mastered none. Niche down FAST—guide shows how. Free download: Turn scatter to six figures. DM "TECH" today. #CareerPivot
💪 Austin's arc: Self-taught code to $120K software gig in 9 months. Dodged my old mistakes (guide exposes 'em). Free for you—DM "TECH." From stuck to stacked. Who's next? #FromZeroToHero
December 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
💪 Austin's arc: Self-taught code to $120K software gig in 9 months. Dodged my old mistakes (guide exposes 'em). Free for you—DM "TECH." From stuck to stacked. Who's next? #FromZeroToHero
🎯 Niche picker: Cloud vs AI vs Data—which fits YOU? Guide's quiz + salaries. $130K+ paths unlocked. Free download: DM "TECH." Stop guessing, start getting paid. #HighIncomeSkills
December 11, 2025 at 8:01 AM
🎯 Niche picker: Cloud vs AI vs Data—which fits YOU? Guide's quiz + salaries. $130K+ paths unlocked. Free download: DM "TECH." Stop guessing, start getting paid. #HighIncomeSkills