Hey, I’m the Nerd (and Occasional Ranter) Behind Roethof.net!
I live and breathe IT the nerdy way. Linux, security, networking. I have spent more than 25 years building, breaking, and mostly fixing systems as a Linux system administrator and security officer, specializing in automation with Ansible and CloudStack and participating in ethical hacking challenges. I spend my days in a corporate IT role, but I build and tinker with systems I control at home. I run CachyOS (my tuned Arch btw). FreeBSD would be my first choice whenever possible, but my XPS does not fully support Hyprland or Wayland yet. My servers run personally hardened Debian, though I switch to FreeBSD where hardware allows.
What I Do as a Linux System Administrator and Security Officer
I have worn many hats: Linux System Administrator, Security Officer, Technical Specialist, and Architect. I build practical infrastructure, automate relentlessly, and streamline workflows. Manual work is for suckers.
My day job has seen me lead automation, security, and compliance projects at organizations like SPIE Data Solutions, RIVM, and KNMI, including high availability, cloud deployments, ISO 27001 / NIS2 frameworks, and large-scale infrastructure automation.
Why Open Source Matters
Open source gives me control, transparency, and freedom. Tools like Ansible and CloudStack are not just software, they are weapons against corporate nonsense. Closed systems do not stand a chance.
Community & Ethical Hacking
I am a moderator on the JarnoBaselier Discord, an ethical hacking community, and the team captain of the CTF team FlagForce. I organize challenges, mentor newcomers, and lead our team to crack CTFs. This keeps my skills sharp and connects me with the real hacking community outside corporate walls.
About This Site
Roethof.net is my unfiltered tech diary. You will find practical guides, automation tips, and nerdy experiments. Check out some of my posts on Linux hardening and my Arch-installatie guide. Expect rants about corporate IT fails, EU policy, privacy, and security. Someone has to say it.
My Tech Stack and Automation Tools
- OS & Servers: CachyOS (tuned Arch), personally hardened Debian, FreeBSD when possible
- Automation & Tools: Ansible, CloudStack, Bash
- Virtualization: VMware, Proxmox
- Networking & Security: firewalls, ISO 27001 / NIS2 compliance, Linux hardening
- Cloud: Azure, open-source stacks
Life Outside the Terminal
I am a proud father of a 12-year-old who reminds me there is a world outside the CLI. I have a fiancé who somehow keeps me sane. I chase puzzles, optimize workflows, and constantly level up my skills. My tech quest is endless, frustrating, and rewarding.
Nerd Mantra
Automate the boring bits so you have more brainpower for the awesome bits. If it is not automated, is it even worth doing?
Disclaimer
Everything here is my personal take, my opinions, and my rants. This is not the official view of any employer. Office politics happen, but this space is mine.
Get in Touch
Have a tech puzzle, a crazy automation script, or a split keyboard recommendation? Reach out at [email protected]