From Beginner to Security-First Cloud Engineer: Csaba's 13-Month Journey

Csaba went from DevOps newcomer to a Cloud Engineer with strong DevSecOps expertise through a strategic learning path that transformed his entire career. It shows what's possible when you never stop learning.

Meet Csaba 👋

Hi, I’m Csaba, from Slovakia. I began my career in IT as a support specialist, where I built a strong foundation in technology and customer-focused problem-solving.

Over time, I shifted my focus toward DevOps and Cloud Engineering, areas that have become my professional passion.

Currently, I work as a Cloud Engineer at Volkswagen Group, responsible for managing, maintaining, and developing Kubernetes clusters, along with the broader ecosystem that supports them.

My role includes designing robust solutions, automating deployments, and ensuring the reliability and scalability of cloud-native infrastructure.

The Complete Journey

Csaba’s journey spans 13 months and 2 intense programs, but the transformation goes way deeper than just adding new tools to his toolkit.

Here’s the Timeline:

📍 November 2023: DevOps Bootcamp

📍 September 2024: CKA Course

📍 November 2024: DevSecOps Bootcamp

The Foundation: Building DevOps Engineering Skills from Scratch

When Csaba first enrolled in the DevOps Bootcamp in November 2023, he wasn't yet the accomplished Cloud Engineer he is today.

He'd been in the role for about a year and realized:

Here's the thing that many people miss: the tech industry doesn't wait for anyone.

While some engineers get comfortable and coast for years, others like Csaba understand that continuous learning isn't optional to stay ahead.

1) DevOps Bootcamp (Nov 2023)

The DevOps Bootcamp laid the foundation for everything that followed. 

The bootcamp transformed him into someone who could provision Kubernetes clusters with Terraform, maintain robust CI/CD pipelines, and keep systems running smoothly at scale.

"The DevOps Bootcamp gave me a solid foundation in automation, CI/CD, and infrastructure as code."

But here's what's interesting - completing one program didn't make him feel "done."

Instead, it opened his eyes to how much more there was to learn.

2) CKA Course (Sept 2024)

Nine months later, Csaba decided to level up his Kubernetes skills with the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) course. This wasn't about learning Kubernetes from scratch - he was already working with it daily.

This was about going deeper.

"The CKA course helped me gain deeper confidence in managing Kubernetes, especially in areas like cluster architecture, troubleshooting, and security."

The timing was perfect too, since his team was migrating their Kubernetes clusters from kOps to AWS EKS.

Talk about learning something you can immediately apply at work! 🙌

3) DevSecOps Bootcamp (Nov 2024)

And then came the big one.

After completing the DevOps Bootcamp, Csaba realized there was a massive gap in his knowledge: security.

"I learned a lot during the DevOps Bootcamp, but I felt that security was a critical area where I lacked hands-on experience. I really enjoyed the structure and hands-on exercises in the DevOps course, so when I had the opportunity to join the DevSecOps Bootcamp, I applied right away."

His starting point? He had some basic knowledge of security practices and tools.

I was motivated to deepen my understanding of security, especially as we are migrating our Kubernetes clusters from kOps to AWS EKS. This added an extra incentive to learn tools and practices I could apply directly to my job.

The Learning Experience: 30 Hours a Week of Pure Focus

This wasn't casual weekend learning.

Csaba went all-in, dedicating around 30 hours per week to the DevSecOps Bootcamp (though he admits some weeks were less intense).

The whole program took him 3-4 months to complete.

When asked about the structure, his response was simple and enthusiastic:

"10/10 – The structure was excellent. I loved that each module built upon the previous ones, so we were constantly applying what we had already learned."

The hands-on labs were the real game-changer, especially those focused on Kubernetes security and IAM roles in AWS:

"They were directly relevant to my work and helped me understand how to implement fine-grained access controls and secure configurations."

The "Aha Moment" That Changed Everything

Every good learning journey has that moment when everything clicks 💡

For Csaba, it was a complete mindset shift about security:

"One of the biggest 'aha moments' was realizing how security can be integrated seamlessly into every phase of the DevOps lifecycle without slowing down delivery."

Before the bootcamp, I often saw security as a separate concern, but learning how to shift it left and automate key checks completely changed my mindset. Now I approach projects with a security-first perspective, which makes my work more robust and future-proof."

Real-World Impact: From Learning to Leading

The best part?

Csaba didn't just learn theory. He started implementing changes immediately:

"Yes, I'm trying to implement as many practices as I can in my current role."

One implementation he's particularly proud of? Introducing Terraform scanning into their workflow:

"I'm particularly proud of introducing Terraform scanning into our workflow. Since most of our infrastructure is deployed via Terraform, integrating security scanning into our IaC pipelines has been a significant improvement. It's helped us catch potential misconfigurations early and align better with security best practices."

His colleagues and managers noticed the change too:

"My colleagues and managers have responded positively. They've noticed that I've developed stronger skills and a more proactive approach to security and automation. Their feedback has been encouraging, and it's clear they see the added value I bring to the team since completing the bootcamp."

The Confidence Factor

Here's something interesting - Csaba's official role hasn't changed, but his confidence and contribution have skyrocketed:

"My official role hasn't changed, but I definitely feel more confident and capable. I find myself contributing more actively to discussions around security and automation and suggesting improvements with a greater sense of ownership."

The Learning Never Ends

Perhaps the most honest and relatable part of Csaba's journey is his realization about continuous learning:

"I've realized that the more I learn, the more I understand how much there is still to learn. The complexity of modern systems and the importance of security are much clearer to me now."

This isn't discouraging - it's empowering.

He's not overwhelmed by what he doesn't know; he's excited by the possibilities of what he can learn next.

The Complete Picture: How Three Courses Built a Well-Rounded Engineer

Looking at his complete 13-month journey, Csaba perfectly summarizes how each course contributed to his growth:

📍 "The DevOps Bootcamp gave me a solid foundation in automation, CI/CD, and infrastructure as code.”

📍 "The CKA course helped me gain deeper confidence in managing Kubernetes, especially in areas like cluster architecture, troubleshooting, and security. It took my Kubernetes knowledge to a whole new level, which was critical for my role."

📍 "The DevSecOps Bootcamp tied everything together by showing me how to embed security into every part of the workflow. It made me feel more complete and confident as an engineer. Security is no longer just an isolated task—it’s now an integral part of how I think about and approach all my projects."

Day-to-Day Transformation

The real test of any learning program is whether it changes how you work every day. For Csaba, the transformation is clear:

"Since completing the course, I've noticed a significant improvement in how I approach development and operations tasks. My workflow is more efficient, and I have a clearer understanding of how to build and maintain secure, scalable systems."

Would He Recommend It?

When asked if he'd recommend the DevSecOps Bootcamp to others, Csaba's answer was immediate:

"Yes, I would definitely recommend the Bootcamp to others, especially DevOps or Cloud Engineers who want to strengthen their understanding of integrating security into modern development workflows."

The Bottom Line

Csaba's journey shows that learning doesn't stop when you get the job.

In fact, it might just be getting started. His 13-month progression from DevOps to DevSecOps mastery proves that with the right structure, hands-on practice, and dedication, you can transform not just your skills, but your entire approach to engineering.

The best part? 

He's still the same Cloud Engineer he was in November 2023, but now he's a Cloud Engineer who thinks security-first, contributes more actively to his team, and approaches complex projects with confidence 💪

And honestly, that confidence boost alone might be worth the 30 hours a week he invested.

The Choice Every Engineer Faces

Every day, engineers make a choice: grow or coast. Csaba chose growth, and 13 months later, he's not just better at his job - he's become the kind of engineer that companies fight to keep and others aspire to become.

The gap between continuous learners and "comfortable" engineers isn't just about skills - it's about opportunities, promotions, and career security. 

In a world where AI is automating routine tasks, the engineers who invest in themselves become the ones defining the future, not just reacting to it.

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