Meet Cy Lalumia
Founder and editor of The Curious Node
I’m the Information Technology Director at Northside ISD – Vernon, TX, a U.S. Army veteran, and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student at Abilene Christian University, with graduation expected in May 2027.
My work combines technology leadership, network architecture, endpoint management, cybersecurity, automation, and education. I created The Curious Node to connect technical research with the real decisions organizations, educators, and technology professionals face.
The mission
The Curious Node is an independent technology publication exploring artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, automation, and modern computing systems. Through research and practical analysis, the publication examines how emerging technologies are reshaping organizations, education, industries, and society.
Credentials at a glance
- Current role: Information Technology Director, Northside ISD – Vernon, TX
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, expected May 2027
- Certifications: CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+
- Service: U.S. Army Airborne Infantry Veteran
Professional impact
- Lead enterprise technology operations across multiple campuses, sustaining 99%+ uptime for more than 300 users and devices.
- Spearheaded a $55K E-Rate-funded modernization of core switching, wireless infrastructure, and VLAN architecture.
- Generated more than $15K in annual recurring savings through E-Rate optimization, vendor negotiations, and lifecycle planning.
- Manage and secure 300+ Apple endpoints through JAMF Pro, including zero-touch deployment, compliance baselines, and automated patching.
- Architect and govern Google Workspace for 300+ accounts, implementing identity controls, SSO, DLP policies, and security configurations.
- Deployed CrowdStrike Falcon and maintain a resilient network stack spanning Aruba switching, UniFi wireless, SonicWall firewall governance, and segmented VLANs.
Career background
Information Technology Director
Northside ISD – Vernon, TX
July 2025–Present
Wind Turbine Technician
NextEra Energy
July 2024–July 2025
Airborne Infantryman (11B)
U.S. Army
July 2020–January 2024
Research interests
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Cybersecurity and digital resilience
- Data science and predictive analytics
- Automation and operational efficiency
- Educational and emerging technologies
Looking ahead
I plan to pursue a master’s degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence after completing my bachelor’s degree. The Curious Node serves as both a public research resource and a living portfolio of that continued exploration.