Brian McHugh

Background

About Brian McHugh

Not uncommon today, but perhaps in my generation, my interests in computing were started when I was gifted a personal computer (Atari 1200XL) for my 15th birthday. When an opportunity arose to follow in the footsteps of my father and siblings I joined the Air Force. I was given a simple choice at the MEPS due to my level of color blindness,"Cook or comm?" Having experience as both, I flipped a coin and chose the latter. From those humble beginnings, I spent a short life time using many various GOTS platforms until Windows become the mainstay of Air Force support systems. Since then I have been lucky to get my hands on various server/workstation operating systems, firewalls, switches, various physical and virtual appliances, handheld cellular/wireless devices. Rarely having an install team within my reach, I have been part of running miles and miles of copper and fiber and hours upon hours in loud and cold server room installing and de-installing system after system, rack after rack. In my later years I have had the experience of managing DOD/company dollars, the purchase of IT equipment and services as well as personnel very rewarding. Having made the transition from AF to Army cyber, I have found the DOD services and three/four letter agencies pretty similar in their approach to overall IT management, rather the difference being in the culture. I think I now have found my niche in cyber security and information assurance and now shifting my focus towards that avenue.