Available for opportunities

Back-End Developer
&

I build secure, scalable server-side applications and solve hard problems. Focused on clean API design, robust back-end logic, and applying security best practices at every layer. Daily Parrot OS user based in Ethiopia.

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Node.jsPythonPostgreSQLREST APIsLinuxOWASP ZAPPentesting

About

Who I Am

I'm Kidest Dereje, a back-end developer and cybersecurity specialist based in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. I build secure, scalable server-side applications with a security-first mindset.

I enjoy tackling complex problems — from designing efficient APIs and database schemas to finding vulnerabilities and writing remediation reports. Every system I build starts with understanding the problem deeply before writing code.

On the cybersecurity side, I have hands-on experience with OWASP ZAP from my internship at Paperless Company, practical skills from TryHackMe labs and CTF challenges, and I apply secure coding practices to every back-end project.

Journey

2022Started back-end development & cybersecurity journey — databases, APIs, security, problem solving

2023Adopted Parrot OS as daily driver — deep Linux, server management, security tooling

2023Intensive problem solving — algorithms, data structures, competitive programming

2023–24Built REST APIs with Node.js/Express — auth systems, secure data handling

2024–25Cybersecurity deep dive — OWASP ZAP, pentesting labs (TryHackMe), secure coding

2025Internship at Paperless Company — API security testing with ZAP, vulnerability reports

2025Built Password Analyzer & Generator — entropy calculations, breach checks, crypto generation

NowBuilding production-ready, secure back-end systems — engineering with security-first mindset

Quick Info

NameKidest Dereje

RoleBack-End Developer

SpecializationCybersecurity

Core SkillProblem Solving

LocationBahir Dar, Ethiopia

OSParrot OS

LanguagesPython, JavaScript, Bash

DatabasesPostgreSQL, MongoDB

FrameworksExpress, FastAPI

Security ToolsOWASP ZAP, TryHackMe

Emailkidistdereje084@gmail.com

GitHub Profile

Skills

What I Bring

Problem solving drives everything. Back-end engineering and cybersecurity — building systems that work under pressure.

Back-End Development

Node.js, Express, scalable APIs, server architecture

85%

Problem Solving

Algorithms, data structures, optimization, system design

90%

Cybersecurity & App Security

OWASP Top 10, ZAP scanning, secure coding

80%

API Design & Development

REST APIs, JWT auth, rate limiting, docs

80%

Database Design

PostgreSQL, MongoDB, query optimization

78%

Linux Proficiency

Parrot OS daily driver, server admin, bash

82%

Python & Bash Scripting

Automation, CI/CD, security tooling, recon

80%

Penetration Testing

TryHackMe, CTF challenges, vuln assessment

72%

Cloud Security (Azure)

Securing cloud environments, Azure fundamentals

65%

Network Security

Protocols, firewalls, network analysis, TLS

72%

Project

Password Analyzer & Generator

A security-focused Python tool I built from scratch — analyzing password strength and generating cryptographically secure alternatives.

Password Analyzer & Generator

Python · CLI · Cryptography · Security Tool

A Python back-end tool that analyzes password strength using entropy calculations and pattern detection. It checks passwords against common breach databases, identifies weak patterns, and generates cryptographically secure alternatives using industry-standard algorithms. Built with a focus on real-world security applicability — not just theory.

PythonSecurityCryptographyBack-EndCLI Tool

View Source on GitHub

Key Capabilities

Entropy-based strength scoring

Breach database cross-checking

Pattern & weakness detection

Crypto-strong password generation

Customizable length & complexity

CLI interface for automation

Secure random number generation

Detailed analysis reporting

Contact

Let's Work Together

Open to back-end developer roles, security positions, collaborations, and interesting problems to solve.

Or reach me directly. I typically respond within 24 hours.

kidistdereje084@gmail.com github.com/kidest-08

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia