About
The guy behind the keyboard
On this page
The Short Version
I’m Jerrad Dahlager. Cloud Security Architect, US Marine Corps veteran, Adjunct Instructor, and firm believer that the best security is the kind that survives contact with reality.
I spend my days helping organizations implement Zero Trust architectures across Azure and AWS. I’ve seen systems fail in creative ways, watched “foolproof” configs get fooled, and learned that resilience isn’t about preventing every fall. It’s about always landing on your feet.
Why “Nine Lives, Zero Trust”?
Because security systems get knocked off the ledge constantly:
- Misconfigurations happen
- Credentials get compromised
- Vendors have bad days
- Humans click things they shouldn’t
The question isn’t if your system will take a hit. It’s whether you’ve built it to survive the fall.
Nine Lives = Design for resilience and recovery, not perfection. Zero Trust = Verify everything, trust nothing, log it all. Curiosity Verified = Question assumptions, test theories, show your work.
What I Do
I’m a Cloud Security Architect at Crayon US, where I help organizations build secure, resilient cloud environments. I spend my days designing Zero Trust architectures, breaking down security problems, and making sure the systems I build can take a hit and keep running.
I also teach as an Adjunct Instructor for the University of Louisville’s cybersecurity program. Watching students go from overwhelmed to confident is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Many are career changers or veterans, and I get it, because I’ve been there.
Giving back matters to me. I’m currently volunteering on the ISC2 Code of Professional Conduct Task Force, helping shape ethical guidelines for the cybersecurity profession.
Background
I served in the United States Marine Corps, which taught me attention to detail, planning for things to go wrong, and the value of a good checklist. After the Marines, I built my IT foundation through system administration, network operations, and infrastructure work before making the deliberate move into cybersecurity.
Certifications
7 Professional Certifications (click to expand)
Off the Clock
Married with two kids and three cats. Yes, three cats. That’s where the “Nine Lives” theme comes from. They basically run the house.
Die-hard Minnesota sports fan. If you know Minnesota sports, you know pain, but we keep showing up every season. Maybe that’s why I ended up in security. I’m used to things going wrong and still showing up the next day ready to try again. Resilience isn’t just a professional skill; it’s a lifestyle.
Let’s Connect
Find me on LinkedIn or check out my work on GitHub. If something I write here saves you time or helps you avoid a mistake I already made, that’s a win. You can also follow me on the other socials below or subscribe to stay in the loop.