My Journey
“The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will’. Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.”
~ Charles Dickens ~

Hi, I’m Kayla Hodge.
Here are some quick facts about me:
🎓 Cybersecurity Student
⭐4.0 GPA
🎯 Career Goal: Digital Forensics & Incident Response
📍 Virginia, USA
✍️ Writer
📖 Avid Reader (Horror • Thriller • Romantasy • Fantasy)
🔎 True Crime Enthusiast
🎌 Anime & Manga Fan
💻 WordPress Web Development
👨👩👧👧 Wife & Mother of Two
Driven by Curiosity
I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity while maintaining a 4.0 GPA, gaining hands-on experience through technical coursework, security projects, and website development. My goal is to build a career where I can combine analytical thinking, problem-solving, and continuous learning to create secure, effective solutions that support organizations and their users.
What excites me most about technology is that there’s always something new to learn. Whether I’m assessing security risks, investigating cyber threats, developing websites, or improving user experiences, every project presents an opportunity to expand my technical skills, strengthen my critical thinking, and continue growing as an IT professional.
Areas of Interest
🔍 Digital Forensics
Investigating security incidents and uncovering digital evidence.
🚨 Incident Response
Understanding attacks and helping organizations recover effectively.
🌐 Threat Intelligence
Researching emerging threats, attack techniques, and adversaries.
📋 Governance, Risk & Compliance
Applying security frameworks and industry best practices.
🔐 Network Security
Securing infrastructure and identifying vulnerabilities.
💻 Security Operations
Monitoring environments and improving organizational security.
What You’ll Find in My Portfolio
This portfolio highlights hands-on projects that demonstrate my technical knowledge and practical experience across multiple cybersecurity disciplines.
Featured Project Categories
- Website Development & WordPress Management
- Enterprise Network Security
- Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Investigations
- Enterprise Security Assessments & Risk Analysis
- Governance, Risk & Compliance (NIST, PCI DSS & CIS Controls)
- Cyber Threat Intelligence
- Technical Documentation & Security Reporting
Beyond Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is one of my greatest passions, but it’s far from the only thing that defines me.
Outside of technology, you’ll usually find me with a good book in hand. I love reading horror, thrillers, romantasy, and fantasy, and I’m always looking for stories that keep me guessing or transport me to another world. I’m also a fan of anime and manga, both of which have fueled my appreciation for creative storytelling and world-building.
I’ve always been fascinated by true crime and the investigative process behind solving complex cases. That curiosity naturally extends into my interest in digital forensics, where every artifact, log, and piece of evidence contributes to uncovering the bigger picture.
Creativity is another important part of who I am. I enjoy writing, learning new skills, and helping build and maintain websites through WordPress. Recently, I’ve been assisting with the development of the Darkling Press website, where I’ve gained hands-on experience with web design, content organization, and creating a polished user experience.
Above all, I’m a wife and the proud mother of two amazing daughters. My family inspires me to keep learning, embrace new challenges, and strive to be the best version of myself—both personally and professionally.
Let’s Connect!
Thank you for taking the time to visit my portfolio. Whether you’re a recruiter, hiring manager, fellow cybersecurity professional, or someone who simply shares an interest in technology, I appreciate you stopping by.
I’m always eager to learn, grow, and connect with others in the cybersecurity community.