Michael J. Shannon began his IT career when he transitioned from recording studio engineer to network technician for a major telecommunications company in the early 1990s. He soon began to focus on security and was one of the first 10 people to attain the HIPAA Certified Security Specialist. Throughout his 30 years in IT he has worked as an employee, contractor, and consultant for numerous companies, including Platinum Technologies, Fujitsu, IBM, State Farm, MindSharp, CBT Nuggets, Pearson, and Skillsoft. His hobbies are producing and publishing music, collecting vinyl records, and playing golf. He resides in San Angelo, Texas, with his wife.