James Johnson

Cybersecurity · Platform Engineering · Walt Disney Imagineering

I build secure software and break things in labs. Recent IST graduate specializing in cybersecurity — enterprise IT infrastructure, penetration testing, and secure application development.

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01 / About

I'm a recent Information Systems & Technology graduate from California State University, San Bernardino, with a Cybersecurity Concentration. I approach every project with a security-first mindset, whether I'm designing authentication systems, running penetration tests, or building enterprise IT infrastructure from the ground up.

For my senior capstone, I inherited a deliberately compromised enterprise network, fully remediated it across 9 VMs and 4 subnets — hardening firewalls, rebuilding Active Directory, and patching a broken full-stack web app — then defended it against a live AI-driven red team penetration test (OpenClaw). I also authored a System Security Plan covering risk assessment, control implementation, and compliance documentation.

Currently working as a Platform Engineering Intern at Walt Disney Imagineering, contributing to infrastructure and engineering systems that power world-class theme park experiences.

3.85 GPA · Dean's List · Top 2.5% of class · Departmental Honors · JHBC Outstanding Undergraduate Nominee · B.S. Information Systems & Technology, Cybersecurity Concentration · CSUSB, Class of 2026

02 / Skills

Security & Pen Testing Nmap · Metasploit · Burp Suite · Nessus · Wireshark · Kali Linux · threat modeling · vulnerability assessment
Programming Python · SQL · R · HTML/CSS · Java
Operating Systems Windows Server · Red Hat Linux · Kali Linux · macOS
Infrastructure Active Directory · VMware · Proxmox · Docker · Ollama
Networking TCP/IP · OSI Model · DNS · Layer 2/3 routing and switching
Tools & Platforms GitHub · Google Cloud · Tableau · Adobe Suite · DaVinci Resolve · Q-Lab

03 / Projects

01

Enterprise IT Infrastructure Capstone

Senior capstone project: inherited a deliberately compromised enterprise network simulating a malicious insider scenario. Identified and remediated vulnerabilities across 9 VMs and 4 subnets — hardened an OPNsense firewall and Vyatta routing layer, rebuilt Active Directory with GPO lockdowns and cross-platform authentication, and resolved auth flaws in a full-stack web application (IIS, PHP, MySQL). Prepared and defended the environment against a live AI-driven red team penetration test (OpenClaw).

Windows Server Red Hat Linux Active Directory OPNsense SSP
02

Penetration Testing Lab

Conducted controlled security assessments using a full Kali Linux toolkit. Performed network reconnaissance, vulnerability identification, and exploitation in isolated lab environments. Documented findings with structured security reports.

Kali Linux Nmap Metasploit Burp Suite Nessus Wireshark
03

Secure SQL Database + Web Frontend

Designed and implemented a secure SQL database with encrypted password storage and authentication controls, paired with a web-based registration interface. Focused on access control, session management, and secure-by-default design.

Python SQL HTML/CSS Encryption Authentication
04

Docker + Ollama Local AI Environment

Configured and maintained a local AI development environment using Docker containers and Ollama for private, self-hosted model inference. Built for personal development and experimentation without relying on external APIs.

Docker Ollama Linux Containerization
05

Data Visualization in R

Developed 3D data visualizations in R and Tableau to analyze and communicate sales trend changes. Demonstrated the ability to transform complex datasets into clear, actionable insights.

R Tableau 3D Visualization Data Analysis

04 / Experience

Platform Engineering Intern — Walt Disney Imagineering

Glendale, CA · Jun 2026–Present

Member of the Tech Studio Platform Engineering team within WDI's IT Infrastructure Department, supporting the operational reliability of systems used by VFX, R&D, and associated departments. Work spans cloud and on-premises environments across the Glendale and Anaheim campuses.

  • Evaluate and test emerging products and technologies for production deployment across WDI departments
  • Develop automation scripts to streamline operational workflows and address infrastructure challenges
  • Assist with infrastructure audits, technology refresh cycles, and system configuration and deployment
  • Perform performance testing, benchmarking, and system monitoring; document findings and present recommendations
  • Contribute to storage, server, and services administration in both cloud and on-premises environments

Waiter & IT Support — Mu Restaurant

Redlands, CA · Jun 2023–Oct 2025

Dual role covering front-of-house service and in-house technical support for POS systems and digital tools. Diagnosed and resolved software and hardware issues, implemented visual interface improvements, and maintained system uptime in a high-volume environment.

  • Provided technical support for POS systems — diagnosed and resolved software/hardware issues
  • Designed and implemented visual interface improvements using digital design tools
  • Delivered customer service and interpersonal support in a fast-paced setting

IT Support — Berry College Elementary & Middle School

Rome, GA · Sep 2017–May 2018

Managed care, maintenance, and upgrades of Apple suite devices in an educational environment. Provided hands-on IT support for faculty and students and trained students on tablet applications.

  • Managed Apple device fleet including maintenance, upgrades, and inventory
  • Trained students on tablet applications and supported classroom technology

Cybersecurity Projects & Practice

Technical Development

Developed and maintained security-focused projects including a full enterprise IT environment, secure web applications, and penetration testing labs. Applied cybersecurity principles to real-world scenarios.

  • Built enterprise environment from a compromised state
  • Authored System Security Plan with risk assessment documentation
  • Conducted ethical hacking using Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nessus
  • Built secure web applications with encrypted storage and authentication controls

Volunteer Work

Community Service

American Red Cross — Fundraiser Organizer

Organize annual live-streamed charity fundraisers reaching international audiences across 10+ countries, with year-over-year growth in funds raised and four-digit totals per event.

Mansion Memories — Set Builder

Build and maintain sets for a nonprofit creating immersive experiences for children facing serious medical challenges, hosted at the Burrage Mansion in Redlands alongside an Emmy Award–winning team.

05 / Recognition

HACU National Conference Award Recipient San Bernardino, CA · Oct 2024
Adobe MAX Conference — Invited Attendee Los Angeles, CA · Oct 2025
JHBC Outstanding Undergraduate Award Nominee CSUSB · 2026
Departmental Honors — School of Cyber & Decision Sciences Jack H. Brown College of Business · CSUSB · Spring 2026
Dean's List · Top 2.5% of Class CSUSB

06 / Contact

Currently a Platform Engineering Intern at Walt Disney Imagineering. Open to full-time cybersecurity and software engineering opportunities. Based in Southern California.

jameswalkerjohnson@gmail.com LinkedIn GitHub

James Johnson

Creative Technologist & Multimedia Producer

I work across film production, post-production, and live AV — delivering reliable results in time-sensitive environments. Experienced managing complex technical workflows from pre-production through final delivery.

See the Work Let's Talk

01 / About

I'm a creative technologist who bridges technical precision and artistic expression. My work spans film production, post-production, live events, and multimedia design — from pre-production planning through final delivery.

I've worked directly with Emmy Award–winning professionals, co-founded a multi-award-winning film club, and was invited to attend Adobe MAX 2025. I focus on understanding project requirements and delivering reliable technical solutions in fast-paced environments.

Currently a Platform Engineering Intern at Walt Disney Imagineering — contributing to infrastructure that powers world-class creative experiences.

Principles I work by

  • I reverse engineer things I love to understand how they work
  • I believe technology and creativity are stronger together than apart
  • The best experiences make people feel something they didn't expect
  • Details nobody notices are often the ones that matter most
  • I'd rather understand something deeply than do it quickly

Film Production · Post-Production · Live AV · UI/UX Design · Adobe MAX 2025 Attendee · Yotie Film Club Co-Founder

02 / Skills

Production & Filmmaking Production Assistant · Assistant Director · Art Department · Set Building · Cinematography · Camera Operations
Post-Production Adobe Premiere Pro · DaVinci Resolve · Color Grading · Audio Post · Editing Pipelines
Design & Multimedia UI/UX Design · Adobe Photoshop · Adobe Audition · HTML/CSS · Visual Design
Audiovisual Live Event AV · Audio Systems · Visual Systems · Q-Lab · Equipment Setup & Troubleshooting
Collaboration Team Coordination · Mentorship · Project Management · Client Communication · Creative Problem-Solving

03 / Projects

Work spanning film production, post-production, live events, and multimedia. Process-driven and story-focused across diverse creative environments.

Film & Production Work — The Avalanche

Production Assistant, 2nd Assistant Director, and Art Department for The Avalanche. Worked directly with Emmy Award–winner Danielle Lopez on set design. Managed radio communications, coordinated crew, handled data backups across multiple camera systems, and constructed sets under tight production timelines.

Lighting Cinematography Camera Operations Set Building 2nd AD

Studio & Post-Production Support

Production Lab Assistant at CSUSB — maintained professional studio equipment, guided students in Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, and kept production labs operational during active use. Organized media systems, managed equipment checkout, and provided ongoing technical support for student projects.

Adobe Premiere Pro DaVinci Resolve Studio Equipment Editing Pipelines

Audiovisual & Live Event Technology

AV Technician for live events at CSUSB — designed and built a full projection show from scratch using Q-Lab, configured and deployed audio/visual systems, and collaborated with the Theater department on studio filming and deployment. Developed proactive workflows to prevent technical issues during live productions.

Q-Lab Live Events Audio Systems Visual Systems Workflow Design

Design, UI/UX & Multimedia

UI/UX design, multimedia production, and visual interface development across multiple projects. Technologies include HTML/CSS, Java, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Audition. Served as joint editor of the Sand Canyon Review Art and Literary Magazine. Invited attendee at Adobe MAX 2025.

UI/UX Design Adobe Photoshop Adobe Audition HTML/CSS Adobe MAX 2025

Long-Term Creative & Volunteer Work

Founding Secretary of the multi-award-winning Yotie Film Club at CSUSB — helped build it from the ground up with monthly screenings and production workshops for student filmmakers. Long-term set builder for Mansion Memories, a nonprofit creating immersive experiences for children facing serious medical challenges. Annual Red Cross fundraiser organizer reaching audiences across 10+ countries.

Film Club Founder Mansion Memories American Red Cross Community Engagement

04 / Experience

Production Lab Assistant — CSUSB

Academic & Studio · Oct 2025–May 2026

Maintained and troubleshot professional studio production equipment for seamless operation. Guided students in video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, and supported equipment checkout and production workflows.

  • Maintained cameras, lighting systems, and editing workstations
  • Instructed students in post-production workflows and software
  • Organized and managed media systems and file structures

Film Production PA / 2nd AD & Art Department — The Avalanche

Film Production · Jan–Feb 2025

Worked directly with Emmy Award–winner Danielle Lopez on set design. Managed logistics and radio communications as 2nd Assistant Director, coordinating crew under tight production timelines.

  • Coordinated equipment logistics and managed data backups for multiple camera systems
  • Constructed, maintained, and dismantled props, practical effects, and sets
  • Assisted with lighting setups, cinematography, and camera operations

AV Technician — CSUSB

Live Events · Feb–Apr 2025

Designed and built a full projection show from scratch using Q-Lab. Configured and deployed audio/visual systems for live events, and collaborated with the Theater department on studio filming and deployment.

  • Built complete projection show from scratch using Q-Lab
  • Configured and troubleshot AV systems in real-time during live events
  • Developed workflows to improve system reliability and reduce failure risk

Founding Secretary — Yotie Film Club

CSUSB · Leadership & Creative Direction

Founding staff member (Secretary) of the multi-award-winning Yotie Film Club at CSUSB. Helped build the organization from the ground up, coordinating monthly screenings, production workshops, and mentorship for student filmmakers.

  • Founding Secretary of a multi-award-winning student film organization
  • Organized monthly screenings and hands-on production workshops
  • Mentored members in film production techniques and creative development

05 / Contact

Have a project in mind? Based in Southern California — open to in-person and remote collaboration.

jameswalkerjohnson@gmail.com LinkedIn GitHub