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About Ethan Parrish

Hi! I’m Ethan Parrish—an Appalachian State CIS alumnus with a cybersecurity bend and a habit of turning messy problems into clear, reliable systems.

I like building things people actually use. Recent favorites: ASUPoolCue, a mobile reservation/queue app for a student game room; a Windows Server + AD + osTicket lab that mirrors real help-desk ops (SLAs, auto-routing, knowledge base, reporting); and a pfSense/Snort setup where I write and tune rules, then verify detections in Wireshark. Whether I’m analyzing a packet capture or shipping a small UI, I aim for secure, usable, and well-documented.

Before tech, I worked in professional kitchens. That service mindset stuck with me: stay calm, communicate clearly, move with purpose, and leave the station better than you found it. In IT terms—own the issue, fix it safely, and write the runbook so the next person wins faster.

This site is my home for projects I’m building, notes I’m learning from, and a few inspirations—from clean code to plated dishes.

B.S. in Computer Information Systems (Cybersecurity), Appalachian State University — Aug 2025

Currently

• Polishing ASUPoolCue’s admin workflows and display boards
• Expanding my Windows Server + osTicket lab with better reporting and a practical KB
• Tuning Snort rules and validating detections in Wireshark
• Exploring entry-level roles in IT support or security in North Carolina

What I’m Good At

• Troubleshooting without drama; steady under pressure
• Writing clear docs and repeatable steps
• Turning “we need this to work today” into “this is maintainable tomorrow”
• Keeping users first while making security practical

Tools I Use

Windows Server/AD • osTicket • pfSense • Snort • Wireshark • Linux • SQL • Git • Firebase • React/React Native • basic Python/PowerShell

Outside of Work

When I’m not building or fixing something, I’m probably cooking or making music. Cooking scratches the same itch as IT: clear prep, tight timing, and consistent outcomes. I keep a Food Album with tested recipes, gram-level conversions, and “what I’d change next time.”

Music is where I experiment. I put together small hardware setups—think drum machine, a couple of synths, and a sampler—and practice live sets focused on clean signal flow and quick problem-solving. It’s a fun way to stay calm under pressure and keep my ears trained for detail.

I also like simple, useful projects: labeling cables, cleaning up workflows, writing mini runbooks for future me, and helping friends set up home networks. A little organization goes a long way—at home and on the job.

Lets Connect

Based in North Carolina • Open to entry-level IT support or security roles