Welcome to The Sec Edit

I used to have a blog called Steph & Sec, back when I was just a cybersecurity enthusiast looking for an outlet to share my thoughts. At the time, it felt like the tech bros had overwhelmed my local community and I just...didn't relate. I definitely didn't fit in. So, I created a space to attract like-minds and man, did it work. I never could’ve imagined that little blog would grow into a brand that still follows me today. A brand associated with kindness, relatability, authenticity, and growth. That blog opened doors that would make a tech bro mad: speaking gigs, interviews, product reviews, conference recaps, you name it. A time was had.

Like anyone, I've undergone many changes since I created that blog in 2018. The most relevant change? I’m no longer just an enthusiast. I’m a full-on practitioner now. Mama, I made it! I've worked at companies big and small, on teams of one and on teams of many, in tech firms and industries far beyond it. My knowledge has deepened, but my desire to learn and grow? Stronger than ever.

But after 2020, I hit a crossroads. Steph & Sec didn’t feel like me anymore. I had a community I hadn’t intentionally built, and I didn’t know what to do with it. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to stay in security.

In 2023, I quit my job and took a much-needed break. I recalibrated. I reconnected with myself. I strengthened my resolve. And now, I’m back to work.

That story is one for another day, but here’s why it matters: eventually, I found myself needing an outlet again. A space to be honest. To speak freely about what I see, what I feel, and what it all means. A space for connection. For curiosity. For calling things what they are.

So here we are.

Welcome to The Sec Edit—a space I’m creating to explore the intersections of security, technology, and humanity.

This isn’t a place for gatekeeping or posturing. There are plenty of spaces for that already. Nah, this is for thoughtful questions, honest takes, and a lot of “I’m still figuring it out, too.” It’s giving Steph & Sec energy, but through a more seasoned lens. I want to do research for funsies again. I want to call out weird patterns my neurospicy brain can't unsee. I want to vent. I want to rejoice. And I want to do it out loud again.

So, I hope you’ll indulge me on this new chapter. I’ve got about a decade before I retire and become a fairy, so… wanna come along for the ride?

You can sign up below to get newsletters or updates when new posts drop. Eventually, I’ll be launching an exclusive (but paid) community where I’ll get even more candid. But for now? It just feels good to be back.

Thanks for reading. Catch you soon with more content.