Hello world!
Welcome to my corner of the internet. For those who don't know me, my name is Nsovo Baloyi, a penetration tester with a knack for uncovering what's hidden beneath the surface to help build a more resilient digital world. And for those who do, you know that I spend a lot of my time navigating the crossroads of cybersecurity, discussing software development ideas, finding ways to break 90 on the golf course, and debating cricket. However, one thing has been missing: a dedicated space to document the journey.
Why now?
For a long time, I’ve been a consumer of great technical content. Whether it’s a deep dive into network security, a walkthrough of a complex security vulnerability from LiveOverflow, or a guide on streamlining a CI/CD pipeline. I’ve benefited immensely from others sharing their knowledge. But a major turning point for me was sitting in on Leon Jacobs' keynote at 0xCON 2023, titled "Your Contributions, Today".
In his talk, he spoke about the importance of giving back to the community. Not only through research and tools, but also through documentation, teaching, and active participation. He introduced the concept of the "infosec free-rider", the cycle where we use tools like Nmap or Netcat every day without ever stopping to understand how they work or even contributing back to the ecosystem that supports us.
The talk was a wake-up call for me, and this blog is my commitment to write more often. I want to move away from just "finishing" projects and toward reflecting on them by documenting my hurdles and breakthroughs with all of you.
Create and Collaborate
Beyond just writing, I want this platform to be a catalyst for creation and collaboration. In my attempt to break the silos that exist in the world of tech, I will use this space to:
- Share the tools and scripts I’m building.
- Discuss emerging trends in the industry.
- Invite feedback and start conversations with like-minded builders.
As Scott Hanselman said, what makes the community work is "YOU."
What’s Next?
Expect to see posts ranging from technical tutorials to "day-in-the-life" reflections. If you have ideas for collaboration or just want to chat about a specific topic, feel free to reach out to me on my social channels linked on this site.
Thank you for being here at the start. Let’s build something great together.