Mario Kola

Azure • Cloud • Infrastructure • Security

📍 Based in Somerset

I'm a
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Building scalable Azure infrastructure, hybrid cloud labs, DevOps workflows and secure enterprise-style environments. Self-taught engineer with real-world IT and cybersecurity experience.

Contact Me View Skills
Azure DevOps Terraform Hybrid Cloud Cybersecurity
5+
Cloud Projects
AZ
Cert Path
UK
Somerset
Tech Setup
—
Visitors

Skills & Technologies

What I Work With

Covering cloud engineering, infrastructure, cybersecurity, hardware and IT support across real-world environments.

☁️

Azure & Cloud

Hybrid cloud deployments, Azure services, monitoring, networking and identity management.

Static Web AppsAzure FunctionsCosmos DBAzure ArcVPN GatewayEntra IDAzure MonitorKey Vault
🖥️

Infrastructure & Hardware

Hands-on experience with Windows Server, Linux, virtualisation, networking and hardware repair.

Windows ServerActive DirectoryLinux (Ubuntu)Hyper-VpfSensePC/Laptop RepairSolderingCCTV Systems
🔧

Automation & DevOps

CI/CD pipelines, scripting, infrastructure automation and cloud deployment workflows.

TerraformGitHub ActionsPowerShellDockerPythonBashGit
🔐

Cybersecurity

Offensive security mindset with hands-on CTF and bug bounty experience. Strong foundation in web vulnerabilities and reconnaissance.

HackerOneTryHackMeCTF ChallengesPen TestingWeb VulnerabilitiesReconnaissanceOSINT
🛠️

IT Support

Real-world customer-facing technical support and hardware troubleshooting from hands-on shop experience.

Hardware DiagnosticsWindows TroubleshootingComponent ReplacementCustomer SupportDevice RepairProblem Solving
💻

Web Development

Frontend fundamentals complementing cloud and security work — useful for secure coding and bug bounty hunting.

HTML/CSSJavaScriptPythonREST APIsAzure Static Web AppsServerless

Work Experience

Where I've Worked

IT Technician & Hardware Repair
Computer Solution
Real-world experience
  • Diagnosed and repaired PC, laptop and mobile hardware faults
  • Component replacement including motherboards, screens and storage
  • Customer-facing technical support and problem resolution
  • Soldering and low-level hardware repair work
  • Windows troubleshooting and software issue resolution
  • Working under pressure with real client devices and deadlines
CCTV Installation Engineer
Local Business Project
Project
  • Designed and installed full remote monitoring CCTV system
  • Network configuration for remote viewing and access
  • Cable management and physical hardware installation
  • Configured secure remote access for business owner
  • End-to-end project from planning to handover
Bug Bounty Hunter
HackerOne Platform
Active
  • Vulnerability research on real-world web applications
  • Web security testing and responsible disclosure
  • Reconnaissance and attack surface mapping
  • Report writing and vulnerability documentation
CTF & Security Research
TryHackMe · Self-directed
Active
  • Hands-on CTF challenges covering a range of attack types
  • Offensive security techniques and tools
  • Web vulnerabilities including XSS, SQLi, IDOR
  • Linux privilege escalation and enumeration

Portfolio

Recent Projects

Featured

Azure Functions · Cosmos DB · GitHub Actions

Cloud CV Website

Full-stack Azure-powered CV site with visitor analytics, private IP tracking, live world map, serverless APIs and CI/CD automation.

Home Lab

Azure Arc · VPN Gateway · Entra Connect

Hybrid Azure Home Lab

Connected local infrastructure to Azure using VPN Gateway, Azure Arc, Entra ID and hybrid cloud management — simulating enterprise environments.

Real World

CCTV · Networking · Remote Access

Business CCTV Installation

Designed and installed a full remote monitoring CCTV system for a local business including network setup and secure remote access configuration.

Professional Strengths

What Sets Me Apart

🧠
Self-learning Mindset
Everything I know is self-taught through hands-on labs, real projects and continuous practice — not just courses.
🔍
Curiosity & Persistence
I don't stop at "it doesn't work" — I debug, research and iterate until I find the solution.
🤝
Customer-facing Experience
Real experience communicating technical solutions to non-technical customers under pressure at Computer Shop.
⚡
Hands-on Confidence
From soldering components to configuring Azure VPN gateways — comfortable working at every layer of the stack.
🔄
Adaptability
Flexible across cloud, security, hardware and development — able to pick up new tools and technologies quickly.
🛡️
Security Mindset
Bug bounty and CTF experience means I think about how things can break — valuable in any infrastructure or cloud role.

About Me

Building Real-World Cloud Infrastructure

Current Focus

Azure Administration, Hybrid Cloud and Infrastructure Automation.

Learning Path

AZ-900 → AZ-104 → AZ-400, building real projects at every step.

Home Lab

Windows Server, Linux VMs, pfSense, Azure Arc and VPN Gateway integration.

Open To

Cloud Engineer, IT Engineer, SOC Analyst, Field Technician — remote or Somerset.

Education & Certifications

Learning Path

☁️
Self-taught Cloud Engineering
Microsoft Learn, Azure portal labs, home lab practice
2025 — Present
🔐
Cybersecurity — TryHackMe & HackerOne
CTF challenges, bug bounty, offensive security labs
2024 — Present
🏠
Home Lab — Hybrid Infrastructure
Windows Server, Linux, pfSense, Azure Arc integration
2025 — Present
🛠️
IT Technician — Computer Shop
Hardware repair, diagnostics, customer support
Real-world experience
☁️
AZ-900
Azure Fundamentals
Pursuing
⚙️
AZ-104
Azure Administrator
Planned
🔧
AZ-400
Azure DevOps
Planned
🔐
CompTIA Sec+
Security
Planned

GitHub Activity

Actively Building

Live commit activity pulled from GitHub API — updated automatically.

GitHub avatar
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Live Data

Who's been here

Real visitor data pulled from Azure Cosmos DB — updated on every visit.

Top Visitors

Get In Touch

Email Me GitHub

Direct Contact

Let's talk

Whether you're hiring, want to collaborate, or just want to connect — feel free to reach out.

✉️
mario@mariokola.co.uk
💻
github.com/nyxalb
🌐
mariokola.co.uk