My Journey in Cybersecurity

I was born and raised in Fresno, California, where my fascination with computers began at the age of 6. What started as childhood curiosity evolved into a lifelong passion that would eventually define my career path.

My journey into what we now call cybersecurity began in the early 1990s—around 1991 or 1992—during the pioneering days of AOL and IRC. These were the formative years of the internet, and I was captivated by the technical possibilities and vulnerabilities that existed in these early digital communities. During high school, I experimented with understanding the security mechanisms of online video games, learning how systems could be broken and, more importantly, how they could be better protected.

After high school, I worked various jobs that, while not aligned with my passion, taught me the value of a strong work ethic and persistence. Life took me to Southern California, and in 2012, I moved to Michigan to care for my sick father—a decision that would reshape my perspective on what truly matters.

While in Michigan, I owned and operated a small business for several years. During this time, I reconnected with my roots in technology, diving deeper into coding, computer security, hacking methodologies, OSINT, and information security than ever before. The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges, and in 2023, I returned home to Fresno, California, ready to pursue my true calling.

Today, I hold multiple IT and cybersecurity certifications and continue expanding my knowledge through ongoing education. I volunteer IT support for a local nonprofit organization, giving back to the community that shaped me. My background is entirely self-taught—built on over 10 years of hands-on experience, relentless curiosity, and a genuine passion for protecting organizations from digital threats.

JagwireLabs was founded on a simple belief: enterprise-grade security should be accessible to everyone, not just large corporations with unlimited budgets. We're here to democratize cybersecurity and help organizations of all sizes protect what matters most.

Jason Gianakopulos

Core Expertise

• Red Team ("Adversary Emulation") / Penetration Testing

• Social Engineering (phishing/vishing)

• Vulnerability discovery and exploit development

• Tool development (mostly in Python or bash shell)

• Web Development

Certifications & Credentials

Certifications:

• Junior Cybersecurity Analyst

• Ethical Hacker

• Cyber Threat Management

• Network Defense

• Endpoint Security

Experience:

• Self-Taught

• Cisco Networking Academy

• 10+ Years Hands-On Experience

• Continuous Professional Development

Why JagwireLabs?

Our mission is to make enterprise-grade security accessible to everyone

Curiosity-Driven

Over 10 years of genuine passion for computer security, not just a career—it's what I love.

People First

We believe people are important. Our commitment to customer service guides everything we do.

Accessible Security

Good security should be within everyone's reach—from small businesses to enterprises.