shane@shanenichols.dev ~$

Shane Nichols

Systems · Self-Hosting · Security

shane@shanenichols.dev GitHub LinkedIn

About

I'm a second-year Computer Science student at UMGC with a minor in Cybersecurity, working toward a career in IT support, sysadmin, or security. Most of my hands-on experience comes from building and maintaining my homelab, where I self-host a stack of services across containerized infrastructure.

I also bring 10 years of operations and leadership experience, most recently as a shift lead and general manager. CompTIA Security+ exam scheduled May 29, 2026.

Skills & Tools

Systems

  • Linux (Arch, Ubuntu Server)
  • Docker & containerization
  • Bash / zsh scripting
  • Systemd

Networking

  • Nginx (reverse proxy)
  • Tailscale (VPN mesh)
  • DNS filtering via Pi-hole & Tailscale

Security

  • LUKS full disk encryption
  • YubiKey FIDO2/U2F
  • SSH hardening & fail2ban
  • Vaultwarden
  • CompTIA Security+ (exam May 29)

Monitoring

  • Grafana & Prometheus
  • Uptime Kuma
  • Restic backups

Homelab

A small but functional home infrastructure I built and maintain daily.

home server Ubuntu Server

Dell Wyse 5070, repurposed as a home server. Runs 10+ Docker containers.

  • Home Assistant & Zigbee2MQTT
  • Nextcloud
  • Frigate NVR
  • Pi-hole
  • Vaultwarden
  • Grafana & Prometheus
vps Edge Layer

Remote VPS acting as an edge proxy and public-facing entry point.

  • Nginx reverse proxy
  • Website hosting
  • Tailscale exit node

Contact

Open to entry-level roles in IT, sysadmin, or cybersecurity. Feel free to reach out.

shane@shanenichols.dev