Liviu Munteanu

Liviu Munteanu Cybersecurity Professional Helping Businesses Secure Their Digital Environments

19/12/2024

The Stickler makes it perfect.
But for what cost?
Here's the thing:

Your perfectionism isn't a badge of honor.
It's a roadblock.

I see this every day in tech teams:
- Engineers who won't ship solutions until it's "perfect"
- Managers who review every detail 20 times
- Leaders who delay launches chasing an impossible standard

The truth?
Your perfectionism is costing you:
- Time you'll never get back
- Opportunities that pass you by
- Mental energy that drains your creativity

Here's what I learned after over 12 years in tech:
- The best code isn't perfect - it solves problems
- The best products aren't flawless - they help users
- The best leaders aren't infallible - they move fast and adapt

Want to break free?

Start here:
- Set clear "good enough" criteria
- Ship early, improve often (yeah...Agile mantra)
- Learn from real feedback, not imagined flaws

Remember this:
While you're polishing that presentation for the tenth time, your competitor is already in the market, learning from real customers.

Feel free to read more about this by accessing the resources available in the first comment.

What's one project you need to stop perfecting and start shipping?

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Follow me for more personal development content that you can actually use.

A hard truth about goals:Some need to die for better ones to live.Here's what nobody tells you about career and goals:Th...
15/12/2024

A hard truth about goals:
Some need to die for better ones to live.
Here's what nobody tells you about career and goals:

The most important career question isn't about success.
It's about fulfillment.

We chase success like it's a fixed target.
- A title.
- A salary.
- A position that looked perfect from far away.

But here's the truth about goals:
- They change as you change.
- They shift as you learn.
- They transform as we grow.

What looks like the perfect path can start feeling wrong.
Not because you failed.
But because you grew.

Holding onto outdated goals drains your energy.
It steals your joy.
It keeps you climbing toward a summit you no longer want to reach.

The real power that you hold TODAY lies in asking:
- "What would excite me now?"
- "What would bring meaning to my work?"
- "What path would make me proud to walk?"

You may think..."OK...but this would make me a quitter!"

Changing direction isn't quitting.
It's choosing growth over comfort and picking fulfillment over expectations.

It's not about abandoning success but about redefining it.

What goals should you change today?

Your values are not for sale.Neither is your work.Many people feel trapped in work that no longer fits who they are.They...
14/12/2024

Your values are not for sale.

Neither is your work.

Many people feel trapped in work that no longer fits who they are.
They crave tasks that honor who they want to be, not just what they can do.

Feeling uneasy is normal, but you can change your course.

Start with a list.

Write down the values that matter most.
Are you seeking honesty, balance, or purpose?

When your daily work matches these roots, you stand on solid ground.

Take small steps.

- Talk with a friend who found a better path.
- Experiment with a side project that feels true to your heart.

These small moves build your new direction.

Ignore old labels that box you in.

You are not just a title.
You are a person who wants to spend each day doing work that rings true.

Name what you need, and walk away from what no longer suits you.

Share your idea with someone you trust.

Their quiet support keeps you steady.
Step by step, you shape a life that feels right.

Do not wait for a magic sign.

Act now.

Your next career will not arrive overnight, but each step brings you closer to work that fits your beliefs.

Keep moving forward.

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

Cybersecurity and InfoSec aren’t the same.  Here's how I would explain the difference to mom:  Think of your house.InfoS...
11/12/2024

Cybersecurity and InfoSec aren’t the same.

Here's how I would explain the difference to mom:

Think of your house.

InfoSec is like protecting everything inside:
- your belongings
- your documents
- your family photos
- your door locks
It covers all your information.

Cybersecurity?
That's about:
- your passwords
- your antivirus
- your wifi network
It's focused on protecting against online threats.

InfoSec is the bigger picture.
It includes your file cabinet, paper documents, and even what your employees say at the coffee shop.

Cybersecurity is just one part of InfoSec.
Important, but not the whole story.

Here's what matters:
A good security strategy needs both.
Like having a safe house needs both locks on your doors and a plan for keeping your valuables secure.

Simple as that.
No complex jargon needed.

What's been your experience with these terms?

Has the distinction always been clear to you?

If this made sense, follow me for more.

10/12/2024

The cyber skills gap isn't about talent.

It's about access. 👇

The cybersecurity learning curve can feel steep.

But here's something many people don't know:

You can get world-class training without spending a dime.

1. Start with the Basics:

- Google's Cybersecurity Professional Certificate walks you through:
* cyber foundations
* risk management
* essential coding skills.
You'll master Linux, SQL, and Python basics in under 6 months.

- The ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity program is a gem.
The training and certification exam are free - you only pay a $50 annual fee after passing.

2. Level Up with Technical Skills (hands-on practice):

- Security Blue Team offers 6 beginner-friendly courses with real demonstrations.
It's like having a mentor guide you through your first steps.

- TryHackMe and Hack The Box offer hands-on practice in real environments.
You'll learn by doing, not just watching.

3. Build Specialized Knowledge

- The Python Institute is there will elevate your scripting skills.

- The CompTIA Security+ prep materials cover core principles you'll need for entry-level positions.

- SANS teaches you practical basic security concepts.

4. Master Advanced Topics:

- Dive into defensive security and cyber risk management.

- Learn the NIST CSF framework and practical strategies.

- Learn OSINT for smart ways to gather and use public data for defense.

Ready to take your first step?

Check the links in the first comment, pick one course, and start today.

Remember:

The best security professionals started exactly where you are now.

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

Missing half the job requirements? Apply anyway.Here's why:Most cyber security job posts (or from any other fields) look...
09/12/2024

Missing half the job requirements? Apply anyway.
Here's why:

Most cyber security job posts (or from any other fields) look impossible:
- 5 years of experience
- 100 certifications
- skills you've never heard of.

Talented people give up every day because of this.

Here's what nobody tells you about getting into any domain:

The minimum requirements aren't set in stone.
They're a wish list, not a rule book.

I've been hired when having half the listed requirements
Why?
Because I showed real passion and drive.

Experience comes in many forms:
- your home lab counts
- your projects count
- your self-study counts.

Do you think employers have any use of paper credentials?
No.
They want problem solvers.

Imposter syndrome hits everyone.

In Cyber, the top experts I know still Google basic commands.
They still use Stack Overflow and forums to solve problems.

The industry changes so fast; we're all learning every day.
We have to.

The real secret?

Build things.
Break things.
Fix things.
Talk to people.
Join communities.
Apply anyway.

Every expert started as a beginner.
Every CISO was once confused by basic concepts.
Every security engineer once wondered if they were good enough.

You won't get every job you apply for.

But trust me:
You only need one YES to start a fulfilling career.

Ready to take the first step?
If not...so what?

Look at that job post again.
But this time, focus on what you can do, not what you can't.

What's stopping you from applying today?

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

You don’t need to dread Mondays.     If it’s not fun, it’s not worth it.   Think about it:  You spend more time working ...
08/12/2024

You don’t need to dread Mondays.

If it’s not fun, it’s not worth it.

Think about it:

You spend more time working than anything else.

If you’re in a job you hate or one that doesn’t excite you, it’s not just wasting your time.
It’s wasting your potential.

The problem?
Most of us were taught:
- Work is serious business.
- Fun belongs after 5 PM.
- Success comes from grinding hard.

But here’s the thing:
Fun isn’t about foosball tables or free snacks. (sounds familiar?)

It’s about:
- Doing work that challenges you in the right way.
- Solving problems that matter to you.
- Being surrounded by people who make you laugh, think, and grow.

When work stops being fun, it’s a signal.
Time to ask:
- Is it the work?
- The environment?
- Or is it time to move on?

Because here’s the truth:
Fun isn’t a luxury.
It’s the fuel that keeps us going.

Your path to success should make you want to jump out of bed each morning.
If it doesn't, you're on someone else's path.

How do you bring more fun into your work?
Or better yet - how do you make the work fun?

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

Your mind treats change like a tiger in the jungle:   A threat to run from. 👉   This worked great 10,000 years ago.Today...
07/12/2024

Your mind treats change like a tiger in the jungle:

A threat to run from. 👉

This worked great 10,000 years ago.
Today, it's costing you opportunities.

The truth is, change doesn’t ask for permission.

It shows up, ready or not.

And how you respond makes all the difference.

Here’s how you can make change your ally:

1. Stay curious.
Every shift brings new tools, ideas, and opportunities to grow.

2. Embrace the discomfort.
Change stretches you, but that’s where the growth happens.

3. Find the advantage.
Even the toughest transitions can open doors you didn’t see before.

Thriving in today’s world isn’t about avoiding change
It’s about adapting to it, leading it, and using it to your advantage.

What’s one change you can lean into today?

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

Your Need for Approval Is Killing Your Career (And What to Do About It).  Here's a story you might relate to:  I spent y...
05/12/2024

Your Need for Approval Is Killing Your Career (And What to Do About It).

Here's a story you might relate to:

I spent years of my career trying to please everyone:

- my parents
- my boss
- my colleagues
- even people I barely worked with.

Every decision I made came with the same nagging question:
"What will they think?"

Looking back, I see how much this mindset prevented me from reaching my potential.

Here’s what I learned through experience:

The harder you try to get everyone’s approval, the more you look unsure of yourself.
It’s a vicious cycle:
- I’d second-guess my decisions
- run every idea by too many people
- dilute my boldest proposals just to keep the peace

But think about the leaders you respect most.
Did they get to where they are by playing it safe?
By following the crowd?

Steve Jobs didn’t create the iPhone by asking everyone what they wanted.

The turning point for me came when I started trusting my own judgment.
Instead of chasing consensus, I asked myself:
“What do I think is the right move here?”

That doesn’t mean I stopped listening to feedback.
I still value different perspectives.
But I stopped letting them drown out my own voice.

And here’s the unexpected part:
When I stopped chasing approval, people began to respect me more.
Authentic confidence – not a version of me I thought others wanted to see – was what attracted opportunities and trust.

So here’s what I’ve learned:

Make decisions because you believe in them, not because you’re trying to keep everyone happy.
Your perspective matters because it’s yours.
The moment you embrace that is the moment you’ll unlock your real potential.

The goal isn’t to please everyone.
It’s to build a life and career that make you proud.

And if that means standing on your own sometimes, so be it.

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

90,000 hours.   That’s how much of your life you’ll spend working.   Yet, only a small fraction of people design their c...
04/12/2024

90,000 hours.

That’s how much of your life you’ll spend working.

Yet, only a small fraction of people design their careers intentionally.

Most leave it to chance.

It's not about the big moments.
Those take care of themselves.

It's about the small, daily choices that shape your destiny:
- The habits you'll form
- The thoughts you'll entertain
- The actions you'll take...or not...

But you don’t have to follow the default path.
You can define success on your terms.

Living intentionally means understanding this simple truth:
Your life moves toward your strongest thoughts and most consistent actions.

That stuff about manifestation?
It's not all made up.

You'll become your thoughts.
And your thoughts will shape:
- the health of your body
- the emotions in your heart
- the work you'll do
- the career you'll craft

Think about where you’ll be in 10 years.

Will you look back with pride?...knowing you made intentional choices?

Or will you wonder what could have been if you had taken control?

Success doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens when you choose to act with purpose.

That might mean:
- Setting clear goals and mapping out your next steps
- Saying no to opportunities that don’t align with your values
- Regularly reassessing whether your work is moving you closer to your vision

Whichever path you choose, remember this:

YOU ARE in control of your story.

Share this message with your peers.

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

Research shows that 70% of what professionals learn comes from real-life experience.  Yet, many of us still rely heavily...
03/12/2024

Research shows that 70% of what professionals learn comes from real-life experience.

Yet, many of us still rely heavily on theory as the backbone of our development.

The problem?
Theory without practice can leave us unprepared to navigate real-world challenges where adaptability and action are key.
This explains why we can better master skills and solve problems when we learn by doing.

But because our systems often prioritize abstract learning over practical application, knowledge gaps persist.

These gaps can lead to missed opportunities, slower growth, and frustration when it’s time to apply what we know.

So, how do we resolve this issue?

By making learning experiential.

Experiential learning turns abstract concepts into actionable skills, helping us retain knowledge and use it effectively in real situations.

Here are 6 steps to help get you started:

- Get Fully Involved: Immerse yourself in hands-on activities, projects, and real-world applications.
- Think It Through: Reflect after each experience to understand what worked, what didn’t, and why.
- Tell Real Stories: Frame what you’re learning as a narrative to make it memorable and engaging.
- Make It Yours: Adapt what you’re learning to your unique goals, challenges, and learning style.
- Use Your Talents: Leverage your strengths to reinforce new concepts and build confidence.
- Find New Angles: Explore how lessons from one area can apply creatively to another.
- Shape Your Space: Create a focused, distraction-free environment to maximize engagement.

Take just one month to focus on these steps, and you’ll see a noticeable boost in how confidently and effectively you apply your knowledge.

The key to growth?
Stop just learning about it.
Start learning through it.

Feeling lost, confused or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.
___

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

What dream have you been postponing?  Here's the brutal truth about time:  It's Running Out.  You start dying the day yo...
02/12/2024

What dream have you been postponing?

Here's the brutal truth about time:

It's Running Out.

You start dying the day you are born.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Every second that passes is one you'll never get back.

Time is our most precious currency, yet most people spend their days dreaming about what they want instead of pursuing it.

Here's the reality:

We all know people who talk about their dreams.
Who plan to start tomorrow.
Who wait for the perfect moment.

I've learned something watching both successful and unsuccessful people:
Success has little to do with circumstances.
It has everything to do with what you do in the time you have.

Not that I'm judging, but look around you.
Someone is scrolling mindlessly through social media right now.
Someone else is taking one small step toward their biggest dream.

Both have the same 24 hours.

I used to believe success was about having special talents.
Or knowing the right people.
Or getting lucky breaks.

I was wrong.

Dreamers separate themselves from achievers by what they do with their time.
Every.
Single.
Day.

Small actions compound.
Tiny steps add up.
Consistent effort creates unstoppable momentum.

Your future self is being shaped by how you spend your time today.
Not tomorrow.
Not next week.
Today.

What would happen if you dedicated just one hour each day to pursuing that dream?

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

There's a 100% proven way to never get your dream job:    You don't apply.    Think about that for a moment.You're not j...
01/12/2024

There's a 100% proven way to never get your dream job:

You don't apply.

Think about that for a moment.
You're not just missing opportunities.
You're giving them away to people who dared to click "apply."

Here is a fact you're missing about job requirements:
They're wish lists, not must-haves.

Most successful candidates only match 60-70% of the criteria.

The best hiring managers value potential over perfection.
Your unique perspective might be exactly what they need.

I learned this the hard way:
I wasted almost 5 years because I wasn't the perfect match for the JD.

Remember this:
- Experience can be gained.
- Skills can be learned.

But drive and determination?
That's all you.

The next time you see that perfect job posting:
Don't count yourself out.
Don't wait until you're "ready."
Don't let fear decide for you.

What's the best job you almost didn't apply for?

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

Nature vs. NurtureAre you aware of the origins of your beliefs?When you look at a newborn child, what beliefs lie within...
30/11/2024

Nature vs. Nurture

Are you aware of the origins of your beliefs?

When you look at a newborn child, what beliefs lie within their mind?

Like blank canvases, you begin life ready to absorb the perspectives of your surroundings.
Parents whisper their values during bedtime stories.
Teachers shape our understanding of right and wrong.
Friends influence our views on everything from music to morality.

Consider how children raised in different cultures develop vastly different outlooks on life:
A child growing up in Tokyo will naturally form different beliefs than one raised in Toronto, Tehran, or Bucharest.

Yet these learned perspectives aren't set in stone.
Personal growth often involves questioning inherited beliefs when they clash with new experiences.
Moving to a new country, forming relationships with people from different backgrounds, or facing challenges can all prompt us to reconsider long-held views.

Knowing how your beliefs are formed gives you the power to change them.
By recognizing that your beliefs come from your experiences rather than your nature, you gain the power to examine and reshape them.
Through conscious reflection, you can evaluate whether inherited beliefs truly align with your observations and values.

This realization opens the door to personal growth.

What beliefs do you hold simply because they have been passed down to you?
Which ones have you thoughtfully chosen for yourself?

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

The most expensive interview mistake?Your silence.Here's why:Sitting on both sides of the interview table taught me some...
29/11/2024

The most expensive interview mistake?
Your silence.
Here's why:

Sitting on both sides of the interview table taught me something counterintuitive:
Asking questions isn't a weakness; it's power.

Most candidates stay quiet, thinking it shows respect.

In reality, it costs them the job.

Here's what successful candidates do differently:
- They ask for clarity when needed.
- They take notes openly.
- They probe deeper into company culture.
- They turn monologues into dialogues.

These seemingly small actions signal something profound to hiring managers:
- You're confident enough to engage.
- You value precision over assumptions.
- You take ownership of your career.

Think about the message your silence sends:
- Can you handle tough client meetings if you can't ask tough questions now?
- Will you speak up in critical situations?
- Can you lead complex projects?

The truth is, your interview is your first project at your dream company.

Top organizations aren't looking for silent performers.

They're searching for engaged leaders who bring their whole selves to every conversation.

Your questions aren't just questions but your first demonstration of leadership.

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

How To Get Hands-On Experience in Cybersecurity Without Breaking the LawWant to break into cybersecurity but don't know ...
28/11/2024

How To Get Hands-On Experience in Cybersecurity Without Breaking the Law
Want to break into cybersecurity but don't know where to start?

These 6 free online labs will give you practical experience without legal risks.
You can find links to them in the first comment.

1. TryHackMe is your first stop (paid subscription also available).
2. OverTheWire Wargames takes you deeper.
3. PicoCTF welcomes beginners with open arms.
4. HackTheBox is where professionals level up (paid subscription also available).
5. CyberDefenders focuses on defense(paid subscription also available)..
6. LetsDefend brings real SOC experience(paid subscription also available)..

Use these free online labs to gain practical cybersecurity skills safely and legally.
Start with beginner-friendly options and progress to more advanced platforms as you learn.
Once you have landed your first role, don't hesitate to invest in a paid subscription.

Need help getting started in Cybersecurity?
Drop me a DM.

Also, help others by sharing this with your network.

___

Feeling lost, confused, or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

27/11/2024

Life runs in patterns.

It moves fast, and most of us cruise through our days on autopilot.

We walk through life, half-asleep.
We rarely notice
- how our surroundings shape our thoughts
- how those thoughts create feelings
- how those feelings drive our actions and reactions.

It's a loop that keeps spinning.

But what if we hit pause on autopilot mode?
What if we realized we could take control of this cycle?

Sure, old habits die hard.
But you've got a shot at real change once you see how the pieces fit
- how your environment affects your thoughts
- your thoughts spark feelings
- your feelings drive your choices

The real question is:
what would it take for you to switch off autopilot today?

Video credit: Emile Jacques

___

Feeling lost, confused or frustrated in your career journey?
Stuck with no clear path forward?

Remember this:
You can MAKE IT BETTER.

🎯 Turn your daily grind into your daily groove.
Follow me for career insights that make Mondays feel like Fridays.

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