From Custodian to Cybersecurity
I'm Miles Randall — cybersecurity engineer, content creator, and proof that your starting point doesn't define your destination. My journey into technology wasn't paved with computer science degrees; it was forged through resilience and a refusal to stay stagnant.
My transition into Information Technology didn't happen overnight. In 2016, I was nearly six years into my career as a custodian. It was a role that taught me the value of a relentless work ethic, but it was a specific incident at a police station that changed my trajectory.
One night, while I was mopping, a police dispatcher watched me work and then intentionally spilled coffee on the floor I had just finished cleaning. That moment was a catalyst. The disrespect I felt transformed into a powerful ambition to pivot my life toward a field where I could solve complex problems and build a legacy.
Between 2010 and 2018, I stopped just thinking about IT and started pursuing it. While still maintaining my custodial duties, I dedicated my off-hours to intense study. I successfully challenged myself to earn a trifecta of industry-standard certifications:
- CompTIA A+ — Mastering the hardware and software fundamentals.
- CompTIA Network+ — Understanding the infrastructure that connects our world.
- CompTIA Security+ — My first deep dive into the world of digital defense.
In February 2018, my hard work paid off when I secured my first dedicated IT role as a Technical Support Specialist. I specialized in the design and installation of smart fire panel systems — a role that required precision and a high degree of technical troubleshooting.
I quickly moved up the ranks, eventually finding opportunities to advance as a Professional Fire Alarm Training Specialist. While the fire alarm industry was stable and rewarding, I felt a pull toward a more evolving, intellectually demanding challenge. I didn't want to just maintain systems; I wanted to protect them.
This drive for growth led me to take a calculated risk in 2019. I stepped away from the familiar path of fire safety to take a contract role in Cybersecurity. It was the official launch of my career in the cyber domain and the culmination of a decade of grinding.
Today, I look back at that night in the police station with a different perspective. I'm grateful for my own perseverance, but I'm also thankful for that spilled cup of coffee. It was the mess I needed to finally clear a path to my future.
