Who: Linda Milvi, Senior IT Security Specialist, Nordea
Study background: Bachelor of Business Administration (ICT Infrastructure and IT Security), currently pursuing for a Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity
Professional interests: Cyber defense optimisation and how to defend proactively
Hobbies: Dogs and house plants
Motto: "Asialliset hommat hoidetaan, muuten ollaan kuin Ellun kanat", in English could be "Don't count your chickens before they hatch"
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A Journey That Began by Chance
Linda’s entry into cybersecurity was unplanned. After graduating with a vocational qualification in Business Information Technology, she started her career as a technical helpdesk agent. Through dedication and hard work, she advanced to Acting Team Lead for a service desk that led to collaboration with Nordea bank.
This collaboration with Nordea’s operational security unit led to a job opportunity at the bank. Reflecting on that moment, Linda shares:
I didn’t even know the full scope of the team’s responsibilities or what my role would be, but I decided to seize the opportunity.
This bold move marked the beginning of an 18-year-long career at Nordea, where she continues to contribute significantly to cybersecurity.
Driving into Cybersecurity Expertise
When Linda started her career, the term "cybersecurity" wasn’t even commonly used. Instead, she worked in IT security, focusing on access systems, Single Sign-On, and Mainframe environments. Over time, as cybersecurity evolved, so did Linda's expertise.
Today, Linda plays a crucial role in providing tools for Nordea’s cyber defense organization, with a specific focus on identity threat detection and protection. Besides working with tools, she concentrates on developing the organisation's overall security posture and hygiene.
Staying Current and Adaptable
One of the aspects Linda finds most fascinating about her job is the opportunity to collaborate with various cybersecurity teams. This collaboration allows her to gain a comprehensive understanding of the company's cybersecurity landscape.
Additionally, Linda values the flexibility her role offers, giving her the freedom to pursue tasks and projects that align with her interests.
Working at the same company for nearly two decades has given Linda deep insights into its operations. However, she acknowledges the challenges of long-term careers, as it is easy to become complacent with established workflows and familiar technologies.
The regulatory landscape of the financial sector adds another layer of complexity. Legacy technology and bureaucracy can slow down innovation, but Linda views these obstacles as opportunities to develop creative solutions for protection and resilience.
Diversity in Cybersecurity
As Chairwoman of Women4Cyber Finland, Linda is passionate about improving gender diversity in cybersecurity. While she recognizes that progress has been made,also she believes more work remains.
Linda emphasizes that more inclusive cultures need to be built within the industry. She suggests:
Addressing bias and creating welcoming environments.
Building inclusive communities where individuals feel a sense of belonging.
Promoting role models who can inspire women and minorities.
Reaching girls and young women early in their education to spark interest in STEM and cybersecurity.
Providing mentorship to support women entering and advancing in their careers.
Linda’s Tips for Navigating a Cybersecurity Career
You want to be a hacker? Amazing! We could definitely use more of those. You can find tons of free material and ways to learn to hack online.
Or are you uncertain of the technical side of things? No worries, there are other career paths in cybersecurity. One of the biggest misconceptions about cybersecurity is that you have to be a hardcore hacker. While technical skills are definitely valuable, there are many other roles in the field that don't require deep coding knowledge. However, even if you're not interested in the super technical side of things, it's important to grasp the basics of how computers and networks work. You don't need to be an expert, but understanding the fundamentals of IT will give you a solid foundation for any cybersecurity career, whether you're focused on policy, risk management, incident response, or something else entirely. Understanding the basics of IT will help you understand how to protect systems.
Start by learning the basics of what cybersecurity is. This will give you direction and help you identify the specific domain of cybersecurity that interests you. You need to know what you want to do in the field to effectively begin learning. If you are a career changer, consider your current expertise and experience, and how they could be applied to a cybersecurity career. Different kinds of backgrounds are a strength!
Join a community, talk to people, network, and ask for help. Cybersecurity professionals in Finland are often willing to offer support and guidance. Stay curious and never stop learning.
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Linda Milvi, Chairwoman of the Board of Women4Cyber Finland.
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The Women4Cyber Finland Role Model of the Month series showcases the career journeys of women who have made significant contributions to the field of cybersecurity. This initiative aims to raise awareness of the diverse career and educational opportunities within the industry while highlighting individuals whose achievements and dedication serve as an inspiration to others.Do you know a woman whose career story you find inspiring or interesting?
You can nominate a Role Model of the Month by sending the person's name, contact information (email/phone number), and a brief justification to: articles(at)women4cyberfinland.com.
Picture: Linda Milvi
Text: Mays Al-Azzawi, W4CFI Articles