Paul Mcdowell is a cybersecurity-minded software and IT leader with 11 years of professional experience who runs Cyber Blacksmith, a customer-focused MSSP that blends software engineering with hands-on network and on-call support. He has led IT transformations across manufacturing and broadband environments—virtualizing infrastructure, modernizing legacy VB6 systems to C#/.NET Core, and building resilient disaster recovery plans—while mentoring other IT professionals. His background spans red team engagements for the DoD, senior software roles building LMS and hybrid ASP.NET systems, and deep Linux network administration. Paul pairs practical, boots-on-the-ground troubleshooting with strategic architecture and training, and he continues to mentor rising engineers while shipping secure, maintainable solutions. An early C# developer and lifelong learner, he holds advanced cybersecurity credentials and brings an unusual mix of offensive security experience and production software delivery.
11 years of coding experience
14 years of employment as a software developer
Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.S.), Network and System Administration/Administrator, Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.S.), Network and System Administration/Administrator at University of Phoenix
Full Stack Web Development Certification, Computer Software Engineering, Full Stack Web Development Certification, Computer Software Engineering at freeCodeCamp
Certificate of Completion, Cisco Network Academy, Certificate of Completion, Cisco Network Academy at Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Master of Science, Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, Cybersecurity, Master of Science, Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, Cybersecurity at Western Governors University
Dedicated to the preservation of the game and modernization of a classic mud codebase.
Contributions:83 reviews, 178 commits, 174 PRs in 4 years 4 months
mud-servercppgamemodernizationrpg
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