Brian Kiptalam

Master of Science in Cyber Security

2022 - Present

Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI

I garnered extensive knowledge in the cybersecurity field by developing skills to recognize, prepare for, defend against, and investigate current and future threats to the cyber space and network infrastructures. Some of the classes I've taken to improve on these skills include cryptography, data analysis, network security, security policy, threat modeling, cyber-forensics, legal and ethical issues, secure software development, and system security.

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

2015 - 2019

University of Eldoret, Kenya

I acquired the fundamental knowledge and skills required to develop, design, integrate, and administer secure computing technologies that enable users to achieve their personal, organizational, and societal goals. The core courses exposed me to networking and system administration, programming and application development, including database management systems and web applications.
I also took part in a number of innovation challenges aimed at addressing societal issues; my projects were primarily focused on the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile applications. 

Graduate Research Assistant

Aug 2022 - Present

Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI

Research on the Potential of Domain Name Server (DNS) amplification attacks

• Performed over 22 million DNS queries on 1,130 top-level domains (TLDs) to determine which responses have the highest amplification factor.
• Wrote python scripts to automate data cleaning and analysis of the DNS zone files.
• Performed debugging and optimization of our C++ code base that we use to simulate the amplification attack.

Programming Instructor

Summer 2022

Developer’s Den Coding Camp, Grand Rapids, MI

• Helped kids in elementary and high school around Grand Rapids understand the fundamentals of computer programming.
• We taught them the coding fundamental concepts by engaging them in projects such as building simple computer games using scratch programming language and also developing their own portfolio website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

ICT - Strategy Innovation and Project Management Division Intern

Feb 2021 - Nov 2021

Kenya Revenue Authority, Nairobi, Kenya

• Performed monitoring and evaluation of ICT divisional and business automation projects in the Authority.
• Assisted in the development and delivery of sensitization materials to ICT project managers.
• Performed Data visualization and analysis on project completion status using Microsoft Power BI.
• Assisted in the development of a 3-year ICT strategic plan and ensured its conformity with ISO and data security requirements.
• Helped in the maintenance of the repository of ICT project documents.
• Provided support for service-level agreement reviews.

Software Developer

2018 - 2021

Africa on Demand Safaris, Nairobi, Kenya

• Provided creative and innovative ideas for UI-UX design, development, and implementation on the website.
• Generated wire-frames and prototypes for user interface design and general outlook design.
• Conducted analysis of the traffic to the website and gave recommendations on how to improve it.
• Designed graphical elements for use on the website and social media platforms.
• Integrated and enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to improve the visibility online.

System Admin Intern

June 2018 - Aug 2018

The Noble Sacco Society, Eldoret, Kenya

• Maintained and serviced computers and printers and ensured that the network was also up and running.
• Provided customer service support to visitors by directing them where to get their needed service in the Back office.
• Assisted in user data migration from the previously used system to a newly developed ERP system.
• Ensured the server was up and alerted the system administrator if there were any issues.

Co- Founder

2018 - 2018

Rent Nyumba.KE, Eldoret, Kenya

• In collaboration with a few friends, we created a real estate listing platform to help students find off-campus housing.
• Partnered with landlords and real estate companies who had properties near the school so as to enable them to advertise their listings on our platform.