About Austin Thornton

Info About Me

My name is Austin Thornton. I grew up in West Virginia in the Charleston area. I grew up a West Virginia University sports fan and still am. I enjoy technology, traveling, the outdoors, cars, video games, and working on my home lab. This website and my other services are all running on home lab.

Current Education

I am currently an full-time IT professional and full-time online cybersecurity student pursuing a B.S Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Western Governors University. I have 48 CUs (essentially credit hours) left until I graduate and am currently enrolled at 19 CUs this semester while working full time. I was previously studying Management Information Systems at West Virginia University John Chambers of Business and Economics when I realized that I was not receiving the technical depth that I was craving. With growing up a son of police officer the value of wanting to help protect people were instilled in me, thus pushing me into cybersecurity.

Current Certifications

My currently completed certifications are:

CompTIA A+

CompTIA Network+

CompTIA IT Operations Specialist

Certifications Currently Pursuing

ITIL 4 Foundation

CompTIA Data+

CompTIA Security+

Relevant Employment History

Current Employment

Company: Carolwoods Retirement Community

Job Title: IT Intern

Responsibilities:

I currently handle most if not all system deployments for our staff. This includes imaging, drivers, application installs, VPN setup, adding printers, adding machine to the domain. I work with our residents assisting with anything technology related. I also go on work orders to residents residences troubleshooting provided services such as internet, cable, VOIP phones and personal technology requests. I assist with staff issues such as password resets, network connectivity, printer problems, application troubleshooting, Microsoft Office troubleshooting, peripheral troubleshooting, audio-visual setup for resident activities and meetings, and definitely some more things that I am forgetting.

Projects:

  • 100+ Windows 10 updates to Windows 11.
  • 20+ Windows 11 23H2 updates to Windows 11 25H2.
  • Creation of a Print Server for printer management, security, and automatic printer mapping.
  • Switching residents from traditional landline phones to VOIP phones via ATAs and gateways.
  • Wiping decommissioned systems to comply with HIPAA laws and requirements
  • Scripted local admin account setup using Powershell.

Technologies and Skills Used

  • Networking:
    • TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, VLANS, DHCP, DNS, VPNs, wireless access points, layer 2 and layer 3 switches.
  • Devices:
    • Laptops, Desktops, Switches, Routers, Access Points, Printers
  • Operating Systems
    • Windows, MacOS, Linux

Company: Encova Insurance

Job Title: IT Helpdesk Intern

Responsibilities:

I worked with end users via desk-side support and remotely via call queue, remoted into users computers using RDP. I documented the call and changes via ServiceNow, troubleshooted users VDI desktop, reset user passwords and two-factor authentication via Okta and Active Directory. Setup in-person users workspaces.

  • Devices:
    • Laptops, Desktops, Printers, Laptop Docks, Monitors

Early Life Employment

I started working for the first time when I was 14. I was mowing lawns to save up for my first computer. Funny looking back at where that has gotten me. I then moved onto pressure washing. I ended up doing about 10 houses that next summer between my neighborhood and a couple of my dads friends.

The summer after first getting my pressure washer around 2020 I was finally 16 and was able to drive and work a real job. I got my first job at Jersey Mikes making subs. This job taught me a lot about customer service and attention to detail. The owner of this franchise and his other franchise prided himself on how clean his store were. The store I worked at was so clean that the health inspectors would come and eat there when they had the chance.

I ended up working at Jersey Mikes until I graduated in 2022. I still worked there in the summer when I was home from college until 2024. I really enjoyed all my coworkers and the life long friendships that were made.

High School Academics

I graduated with honors with 4.1 GPA. In high school there were not many technology courses. The most advance course available at the time was business computer applications. These classes focused on Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access and the respective beginner certifications of which I earned all except Access due to COVID.