Meet Rogdric Singleton: Certified Ethical Hacker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rogdric Singleton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rogdric, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I been practicing in the Informational Technology hemisphere for over 8 years at the time. Therefore, I began to acquire an enormous capacity of skill-sets over that period of time. Working in corporate America has giving me me the aptitude and fortitude to understand how and what business may need in terms of services. Once I was laid off a 4 year contract that I was working in Cyber Security for a major fortune 500 company, I later figured I was ready to make my move and start my own company. I named it after my daughter Allie-Parker, entitled AP Cyber Defense, LLC In doing so I decided after working for large commercial corporations, that I would focus on the Small to Mid-Size Business and service that space. Most Small to Mid-Size companies have limited resources to utilize Big Cyber Security Firms in the industry. My approach I would bring to the industry would focus on their limited resources and help them build and manage their needs in linear fashion more closely. Also providing most importantly cost-effective service and quality work.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the Founder and Owner of AP Cyber Defense, LLC. AP Cyber Defense is a Cyber Security Firm based out of Mississippi. I am the first Black Privately Owned Cyber Security Firm as a whole in the state of Mississippi. A company that has one mission and purpose to keep businesses operating securely at all times. We are here to protect your corporate assets by identifying your security vulnerabilities before the bad guys over the internet do just that! We offer cyber security audits by running vulnerability tests on companies internal computer systems and devices. We then provide data to show the companies risk level and offer solutions to circumvent those security flaws. We perform real-time attacks in a safe environment that simulate what the Bad Guys could do in the event that those security vulnerabilities were discovered. AP Cyber Defense distinguishes itself from other companies by focusing on the customer’s business needs . We feel we can better serve our customer base by working more closely 1 on 1 instead of a non-personal approach. We focus on the little guys that all the Big Cyber Security Firms overlook. My most prideful moment was landing a contract with the Infamous Cochran Firm Franchise. Performing a security audit on a major Client such as The Cochran Firm was an Honor and a Privilege. Starting an LLC is nothing out of the norm for me. I come from a line of Entrepreneurs and Business Owners all my life. My mom had a very prestigious Tax Business growing up. My grand dad had his own lawn company. Watching them operate their own businesses instilled a lot of knowledge for me as a whole sub-consciously. That gave me the game to make the moves to get my company up and functional. Ultimately after it is all said and done I would like the world see AP Cyber Defense as a respected and viable company for being the go to Firm for Cyber Security Audits. I also would love to earn the respect from peers that operate in the same industry that we both coexist in. I want other Black Young Men and Women as well as other minorities that they can do things just like this.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the area of Memphis, TN. I would take him to downtown Memphis to check out the Famous Mississippi River and show him the awesome view. I would show him various Barbecue Places that are must go’s in Memphis. I would take him to Beale street for entertainment, drinks, and food. Midtown we would then visit to Bar-Hop and People watch. They have nice art district as well. We could visit the Loraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Night life I would suggest we party on the East side of town. Checkout Club Love for the Grown and Sexy. Then for laid-back after hours vibes we would travel down to Indulge Hookah Bar. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout a dear mentor named Mike Mackrill. He was my former manager/mentor that gave me a chance to change my career to a more sophisticated skill set. He changed my mind of thinking and so forth. I was initially doing IT-Support for many companies for years, yet I still was unfulfilled as an IT Professional and underpaid. He opened the door to IT-Security, which opened my eyes to another world dealing computers and IT as a whole. For years I was unchallenged and non-motivated after doing the same thing for years and years, such as Break/Fix in terms of computer repair. After working and doing IT-Support for several companies in Memphis, TN I was at the verge of switching careers due to average pay my skill set continuing to be at a standstill. Mike Mackrill opened the door to ethical hacking where companies basically pay you very well to penetrate their computers and networks to understand how to better protect them. Since he hired me my life has been heading in a new direction for good reason that is. Mike Mackrill passed away suddenly from a health condition after our contract ended for a certain organization we were servicing at the time. I didn’t really get a chance to say my goodbyes. I started my company and never looked back from the principles he instilled me. Thanks Mike Mackrill I’m forever grateful!

Website: www.apcyberdefense.com

Instagram: jackmobb

Linkedin: rogdric singleton

Image Credits
Circle of Life Photography