Future RoadMap

Alisia sat at her desk, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edges of her computer as she stared at the blank screen in front of her. It was late, and the world outside was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. After the whirlwind of emotions over the past few days—the party, her brief but strange connection with Ethan, the confrontation with Tiffany and her bullies, and the comfort of Maya and Jenny's friendship—she found herself yearning for something more concrete. Something that would give her life a clear sense of direction.

She had always been drawn to computers, to the structured world of programming, where things made sense in ways that human interactions often didn't. But now, she wanted more than just to excel academically. The sudden realization of how fragile life could be—something that had been driven home ever since David's death—pushed her to think bigger, broader.

She wanted to make a difference. She wanted to do something with her life that would actually help people and make the world a little less dark.

Cybersecurity.

The thought had been brewing in her mind for a while now, and the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Cybersecurity wasn't just about coding or hacking—it was about protecting people, about standing between the innocent and those who would exploit or harm them. In a way, it was like being a digital guardian, a modern knight. And in this increasingly connected world, she realized that criminals weren't just the ones who robbed stores or committed violent crimes. There were dangerous people behind screens, causing untold harm from the shadows of the internet.

Alisia took a deep breath and opened her browser. If she was serious about this, she needed a plan. A roadmap to guide her through what she needed to learn. She spent the next few hours researching, digging through various forums, blogs, and expert opinions to find a structured path to becoming a cybersecurity specialist.

The roadmap was comprehensive, and Alisia's heart raced a little as she reviewed it. It wasn't going to be easy, but then again, nothing worthwhile ever was. (Skip the following roadmap if your not that interested, they will hardly be discussed in majority of the chapters)

Alisia's Cybersecurity Roadmap:

Networking Fundamentals: Understanding how computer networks operate is crucial. Alisia needed to familiarize herself with concepts like TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, routers, firewalls, and proxies. If she was going to defend networks from cyberattacks, she needed to understand them inside and out.

Operating Systems (Windows/Linux): She had already dabbled in Linux, thanks to her programming background, but now she needed to get serious about it. Both Windows and Linux systems were common targets for hackers, and she needed to understand how to secure them properly. Learning about file systems, process management, and user permissions would be key.

Programming and Scripting: Alisia already knew several programming languages, but cybersecurity demanded more. Python and Bash scripting were highly recommended. Python, in particular, was a favorite among security professionals for writing tools and automating tasks.

Web Security: With the majority of cyberattacks targeting websites and web applications, learning about web security was essential. She would need to understand concepts like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing: Alisia was intrigued by this. Ethical hacking was the process of legally breaking into systems to find vulnerabilities before malicious actors could exploit them. Learning how to think like a hacker, but using that knowledge for good, was something that deeply appealed to her.

Cyber Laws and Ethics: She found this part fascinating. Cybersecurity wasn't just about skills—it was also about responsibility. There were strict laws governing what cybersecurity professionals could and couldn't do. She would need to be careful not to cross any lines.

Certifications: While skills were important, so were certifications. She saw that certifications like CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) were crucial for standing out in the field.

Alisia leaned back in her chair and sighed. The roadmap was clear, but it was long. There was so much to learn, so much to prepare for. But she wasn't intimidated—she was excited. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she had something to work toward, something that would fill the emptiness in her heart. And it wasn't just about proving something to herself. It was about making sure that no one else would have to suffer because of some faceless criminal hiding behind a screen.

She bookmarked the roadmap and jotted down a few notes in her planner. But before diving into anything on her own, she knew she needed some guidance. Tomorrow, she would talk to one of her teachers, Mr. Harrison, who had a background in computer science and was known for his expertise in cybersecurity. Maybe he could give her some pointers, or even suggest some adjustments to the roadmap.

The next day at school, Alisia headed straight for Mr. Harrison's office after her morning classes. She had her notes clutched in her hand, feeling both nervous and hopeful. Mr. Harrison had always been approachable, and she trusted him more than any other teacher.

When she knocked on his door, he looked up from his computer and smiled warmly. "Alisia, come in! What brings you here?"

She stepped inside and took a seat, quickly explaining her interest in cybersecurity and showing him the roadmap she had put together.

Mr. Harrison glanced over the notes she had made, nodding thoughtfully. "This is a good start, Alisia. You've clearly done your research, and this roadmap covers all the basics."

Alisia felt a small surge of pride at his approval.

"But," he continued, "there are a few adjustments I would suggest."

Alisia leaned forward, eager to hear his feedback.

"First," he said, pointing to the networking section, "I would recommend spending a bit more time on networking than you might expect. A deep understanding of how networks work is crucial, especially when it comes to defending against sophisticated attacks. You'll want to know how firewalls work, how packets move through networks, and how attackers might exploit those processes."

Alisia nodded, jotting down notes.

"Second, you're right to focus on operating systems, but don't just limit yourself to Windows and Linux. You'll want to have at least a basic understanding of macOS as well. While it's not as commonly targeted as Windows, it's becoming more relevant in corporate environments."

Mr. Harrison then moved down to the ethical hacking section and paused. "This," he said, tapping the paper, "is where ethics really come into play. You have to remember that with great power comes great responsibility. The skills you'll develop in cybersecurity could potentially cause a lot of harm if used incorrectly."

Alisia looked up, meeting his gaze. She knew what he was saying, but hearing it from him made it feel more real.

"You need to always operate with integrity," he said. "Cybersecurity is not just about defeating attackers—it's about protecting people. Never lose sight of that. The moment you let your personal motives override the ethical considerations of your profession, you risk becoming what you're supposed to be fighting against."

Alisia swallowed hard, nodding. "I understand."

"Good," Mr. Harrison said, smiling again. "That being said, I think you'll do great. You're a fast learner, and with your determination, I have no doubt you'll make an impact in the field. Just keep your moral compass strong."

As they wrapped up the meeting, Mr. Harrison gave her a few more tips on specific resources she could look into and even offered to mentor her as she progressed on her cybersecurity journey. Alisia left his office feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was challenging, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she was on the right track.

Over the next few weeks, Alisia threw herself into her studies with a passion she hadn't felt in years. She signed up for online courses in networking, downloaded tutorials on ethical hacking, and started tinkering with Linux systems to get a better understanding of operating system security.

She even started attending local cybersecurity meetups where she met other students and professionals in the field. They were a diverse group of people, all passionate about protecting systems and networks from the threats that lurked online. Alisia quickly realized that cybersecurity was not just about defending against faceless enemies—it was about being part of a community that cared about making the internet a safer place.

But despite all the progress she was making, there were still moments when her thoughts drifted back to David. She imagined how proud he would be of her, how he would have teased her for being such a "badass cyber vigilante." The memory of his playful smile was bittersweet, but instead of letting it weigh her down, Alisia used it to fuel her determination. She was going to make a difference, not just for herself, but for him too.

As the weeks passed, Alisia felt herself growing stronger—not just in terms of her skills, but emotionally as well. She was slowly healing, finding new meaning in her life, and building a future that felt worth fighting for.

And for the first time since David's death, she didn't feel quite so lost anymore.