From Linux Novice to Cyber Security Pro: Christopher Pliatsikas

As part of our #LPI25 celebrations, we are recognizing the accomplishments of organizations and also the incredible individuals who have shaped the open-source and Linux landscape. Among these dedicated professionals is Christopher, a passionate advocate for cybersecurity and open-source technologies. Now a proud LPI Member and LPI Approved Trainer, Christopher has taken his Linux journey from curiosity in high school to becoming an expert Cyber Security Consultant. His story exemplifies the values LPI has championed for 25 years: learning, sharing knowledge, and empowering others through open-source solutions.

Read Christopher’s Story:

Hello, I’m Christopher, and I work as an Expert Cyber Security Consultant at Nviso, a leading European cyber security firm. My passion lies in open-source technologies, and I’m also an avid home-lab enthusiast. With a deep commitment to enhancing security measures through innovative solutions, I continuously explore and implement cutting-edge technologies in my professional and personal projects.

How It All Began

My journey with Linux began back in 2005 or 2006 with Ubuntu. At the time, I was still in high school and was captivated by the various desktop environments available. This fascination led me to “distro hop,” experimenting with different Linux distributions to explore their unique features and capabilities.

Fast forward to 2020, my career in IT had progressed significantly, but I realized I was missing out on numerous opportunities due to my lack of practical Linux knowledge. It became clear that to advance in roles requiring Linux expertise, I needed to master at least the basics.

As a Cisco Networking Academy student (I earned my CCNA in 2015), I had access to a free Linux Essentials course, which I eagerly enrolled in. The course was a revelation—I was instantly hooked. Within six months, I enrolled in the LPIC-1 course through the Cisco Networking Academy, further deepening my understanding. To fully immerse myself, I installed Linux on every computer I owned.

In 2022, my efforts paid off when I achieved my LPIC-1 certification. A year later, I earned the LPIC-2 certification. By 2024, I had not only become an LPI Approved Trainer through the LPI Membership program, but also achieved the LPIC-3 Security and BSD Specialist certifications. This journey has solidified my passion for open-source technologies and has significantly advanced my career in cyber security.

Cyber Security and Open Source

I am a firm believer that cybersecurity should be accessible to everyone, whether they are a small business, a large enterprise, or a home lab enthusiast. This belief drives me to promote open-source tools and create solutions for my clients based on these technologies whenever possible. By leveraging the power and flexibility of open-source software, it is possible to make robust cybersecurity measures attainable for all, regardless of their size or budget.

Spreading the Open Source “Gospel”

In the past couple of years, I have presented several seminars at local universities and schools about cybersecurity and Linux. My goal is to help students interested in this field to create an action plan, understand the knowledge they need to gain, and identify the certifications that will help them achieve their goals. In my view, using open-source technologies and maintaining security go hand in hand. This is why I always recommend starting with Linux Essentials and Security Essentials for any aspiring cybersecurity professional.

Linux Beyond Work, from Arch to UTL, via FreeBSD

For me, as for many, Linux is not just for work.

Since mid-2020, I have been using Linux daily on all my machines. Both my main desktop and laptop run Arch (by the way!) with Hyprland, and I have a second desktop running FreeBSD with Hyprland as well. All my servers operate on either Debian or FreeBSD, depending on their specific roles. I use Linux for gaming, scripting, video editing, and a variety of other tasks, including some VR gaming. The progress we have made is remarkable, and it only continues to improve: there has never been a better time to Upgrade To Linux!

Looking Ahead

As I continue to explore the vast world of Linux and open-source technologies, I am excited to see where this journey will take me next. My goal is to keep learning, sharing knowledge, and contributing to the community that has given me so much.

Where were you 25 years ago?

I was probably playing Final Fantasy 7 on my PC 🙂

How old were you when you started working with Linux?

I was 15 or 16 when I started “playing “ with it but I used it proffesionaly for the first time when I was 28.

Looking ahead, where do you think Linux will be in 5 and 25 more years?

As I continue to explore the vast world of Linux and open-source technologies, I am excited to see where this journey will take me next. My goal is to keep learning, sharing knowledge, and contributing to the community that has given me so much. In the next 5 to 25 years, I believe Linux will play an even greater role in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, becoming an indispensable part of the global technological landscape.

I would like to add that Linux will probably be on Mars as well by then but we achieved that in 2021 since NASA’s Perseverance’s Ingenuity helicopter drone runs on Linux. Well, if Linux is good enough for Nasa…

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