Hi, I'm Sam

I am a Hacker
I am a Musician
I am a Climber
I am a Photographer

Sam Ford

Penetration Tester at Ankura

I am an OSCP & CSTM certified penetration with almost three years of infrastucture and AD security. I am currently looking to specialise in red teaming and vulnerability research.

This site is a place for me to learn git the hard way, and put writeups or any other cool findings while I learn.

Infrastructure + Network Testing

Programming

DFIR

Skills

Python

My go to language for putting together scripts and programs of varying sizes. Have built several internal tools for various departments to help optimise workflows and process data.

Docker

Mainly use this as a hobby, docker powers all the services running on my home server.

Burpsuite

I use Burpsuite mainly when doing CTF challenges for my OSCP or when I have time to practice on Burpsuite Academy.

Kali Linux

I use Kali and its tools almost every day, both for CTF challenges and day to day pentests while at work.

Google

Being able to research a problem efficiently and get useful results is one of the most important skills in this industry. Not to mention the gold mine that is effective Google dorking.

C/C++

Know basic C/C++ programming. Used for learning about memory management and expanding programming knowledge further than just Python.

Linux

I am a regular linux user and tinkerer, constantly finding tricks and tools to improve workflows and automate tasks.

Git

Basic knowledge of git. This website has tought me a lot on how it works.

Experience

Ankura

- Present

London

Ankura is a global, independant firm with a focus on innovation an tailored solutions.

Working in Ankura’s cyber department has exposed me to a wide array of different projects and scenarios. It has given me the opportunity to become a well rounded security expert with experience in many areas including penetration testing, code review, digital forensics and advisory.

Senior Associate

March 2025 - Present

Associate

March 2023 - Present

Responsibilities:

Penetration testing.
Digital forensics.
Threat intelligence.

Intern

- Summer 2021

Responsibilities:

Month long summer internship with a focus on DFIR
Worked side by side with industry leading professionals on a mock scenario.

University of West London IT Dept.

March 2020 - January 2022

London

Worked in the IT department of my university while studying for my degree. While not a glamarous role, this position required a large amount of lateral thinking, and indepth knowledge of windows and various systems used to help assist anyone with their IT issues. Additionally, I was often required to work under to resolve problems while a lecture was ongoing.

Support Engineer

March 2020 - January 2022

Responsibilities:

Help resolve IT problems from staff and students.
Train new starters in IT security best practices.
Ensure critical systems were reliable and worked as needed.
Windows - on the fly research - communicating complex tasks

Timeless IMS

Jun 2015 - Jan 2016

London

Timeless IMS is an MSP to small and medium businesses. This was my first IT related posisiton and it tought me the foundations of professional IT support and communcating sollutions to non-technical clients.

Apprentice

Jun 2015 - Jan 2016

Responsibilities:

Count lost of interns.
Count more interns.
Count me as an intern.

Education

University of West London

2020-2023

1st Class, B.Sc. (hons), Cyber Security

Extracurricular Activities:

Founder of the Rock Climbing Society. Led multiple trips abroad and taught many students how to rock climb.

Thesis:

Automated Penetration Testing.