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Joshua Michael Hall
Joshua Michael Hall

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AWS SAA to Security Clearance: My Path to Federal Cloud Engineering

#cloudsecurity #aws #federalcontractor #career

Just passed AWS Solutions Architect Associate on my first attempt! But this isn't another "I passed!" post - it's about leveraging cloud security expertise for federal defense contracting roles in Huntsville where security professionals protect national security infrastructure.

Why AWS SAA Matters for Federal Work

Federal contractors aren't just looking for cloud engineers - they need professionals who understand:

  • Compliance frameworks (FedRAMP, NIST 800-53, RMF)
  • Security-first architecture
  • Cost optimization for government contracts
  • Multi-account strategies for classified/unclassified separation

The AWS SAA provides the foundation, but it's just the beginning for federal work.

My Unique Path: MSP → Cloud Security → Defense

After founding and scaling an MSP to $160K+ revenue with zero security breaches across 30+ business clients, I learned that production security isn't theoretical - it's operational excellence under pressure. I managed 100+ endpoints and prevented $300K+ in estimated ransomware damages by inheriting and stabilizing environments others couldn't handle.

That experience translates directly to federal requirements:

  • HIPAA compliance → FedRAMP understanding
  • MSP infrastructure → Multi-tenant security
  • 24/7 operations → Mission-critical mindset

The Federal Cloud Engineer Stack I'm Building

✅ Completed:

  • AWS Solutions Architect Associate (Nov 8, 2025)

🎯 Next 60 Days:

  • CompTIA Security+ (Nov 22) - DoD 8570 IAT Level II requirement
  • AWS Security Specialty (Jan 2026) - Deep cloud security expertise
  • Federal Cloud Resume (Dec 2025) - With RMF control mapping

Here's what makes the Federal Cloud Resume different:

Standard Cloud Resume:
  - S3 static website ✓
  - CloudFront CDN ✓
  - Lambda visitor counter ✓

Federal Cloud Resume adds:
  - RMF control mapping (AC-17, SC-8, AU-2)
  - CloudTrail logging with integrity validation
  - WAF rules for OWASP Top 10
  - Least privilege IAM documented
  - Compliance automation demos
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Why Cloud Security Engineering

Cloud security engineers are in high demand in the defense sector, especially those with proven operational experience.

My approach:

  1. Leverage proven security track record (30+ business organizations, zero breaches)
  2. Build on existing AWS and security certifications
  3. Apply MSP operational experience to federal requirements
  4. Focus on mission-critical infrastructure protection

It's about applying real security operations experience where it matters most - protecting national security infrastructure.

The Federal Security Focus

Federal cloud security work requires understanding both technical implementation and compliance frameworks. Security clearances are typically sponsored by employers for qualified candidates.

Key qualifications:

  • Proven security operations experience
  • Understanding of compliance frameworks
  • Clean background for clearance eligibility
  • Commitment to mission-critical work

Connecting at AWS re:Invent

I'll be at re:Invent (Dec 1-6) specifically targeting defense contractors:

  • Lockheed Martin
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Raytheon
  • Booz Allen Hamilton
  • SAIC/Leidos
  • General Dynamics

If you're in defense contracting or know someone who is, let's connect! I'm committed to:

  • Huntsville, AL defense ecosystem (Redstone Arsenal)
  • Cloud security engineering roles
  • Mission-critical infrastructure protection

Next Steps

While others chase FAANG, I'm focused on protecting national security infrastructure.

The foundation:

  1. Security+ for DoD compliance ✅ (Nov 22)
  2. AWS Security Specialty for cloud expertise ✅ (Jan 2026)
  3. Federal Cloud Resume for demonstration ✅ (Dec 2025)
  4. Commitment to Huntsville defense community
  5. Land cloud security engineer role 🎯

Let's Connect

Are you in defense contracting? Looking for cloud security engineers with proven operational track records? Building security teams that need someone who's maintained zero breaches under pressure? Let's connect on LinkedIn.

The federal cloud sector needs security professionals who understand both operational excellence and mission criticality. With proven experience securing 30+ business organizations and preventing $300K+ in damages, I bring real-world security operations to federal requirements.

AWS SAA certified, Security+ current, building Federal Cloud Resume with RMF controls. Committed to Huntsville's defense community.

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