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Whoami

Hello! My name is Barrett Busch and I am the full-time Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics instructor and program coordinator at Stark State College. I'm the primary subject matter expert for the CFS program, which means I teach across the full stack of our offerings — from introductory digital forensics and ethical hacking to mobile forensics, network forensics, incident response, and career preparation.

The Short Version

Before coming to Stark State, I worked in cybersecurity across multiple domains at organizations including MGM Studios (Cloud Security Engineer) and Amazon (GRC Analyst). My professional experience spans:

  • Security Operations — IAM, email security, security awareness training, incident response, SIEM log analysis
  • Cloud Security Engineering — deploying and integrating security tools, cloud compliance and auditing
  • Digital Forensics & eDiscovery — forensic imaging, evidence analysis, legal holds
  • Governance, Risk & Compliance — policy writing, documentation, third-party risk assessments

I brought all of that into the classroom — first as an adjunct instructor at Cypress College in Cypress, CA, then as a bootcamp instructor for CompTIA where I led intensive training programs for Security+ and CySA+ certification candidates. That combination of industry work and teaching experience is what I bring to Stark State.

CompTIA Certifications

CompTIA A+ Certified CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ Certified CompTIA Security+ Certified CompTIA CySA+ Certified CompTIA PenTest+ Certified CompTIA Project+ Certified

Why I Teach

I chose to teach at a community college on purpose. Community colleges are where people come to change their lives, and cybersecurity is a field where you can do exactly that; with or without a four-year degree, with or without a traditional tech background.

I also consider myself a "forever student", which is a necessity in the cybersecurity field. I genuinely enjoy the continuous process of learning new technologies, exploring new tools, and figuring out new and better ways to teach that knowledge back. That mindset is what keeps the content on this site current and, honestly, it's what makes this job fun for me.

That philosophy drives everything about how this program is built:

  • Open Educational Resources (OER). The eBooks and materials on this site are free, and they stay accessible to you even after you graduate. I don't believe in paywalling the knowledge you need to build a career.
  • Hands-on, workforce-aligned content. Every lab, every interactive activity, every practice exam is designed around what employers actually expect you to know on day one.
  • Industry-recognized certifications. Multiple courses in the program are aligned directly to CompTIA certification objectives, so your coursework prepares you for the credentials that get you hired.

Beyond the Classroom

  • Program Coordinator, CFS Program — I coordinate the overall cybersecurity and digital forensics curriculum, including alignment with NSA Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) requirements.
  • Regional Program Coordinator, Ohio Cyber Range Institute (OCRI) — I help coordinate a regional collaboration with OCRI that provides students with hands-on cyber range environments for realistic training scenarios and CTFs.
  • Faculty Advisor, HTCIA Student Club — I advise our student chapter of the High Technology Cyber Investigation Association, working with them on specialize workshops, CTFs, and industry networking opportunities.

Get in Touch

If you're a current student, you can reach me through the college or during posted office hours. If you're an industry professional, prospective student, or fellow educator, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.