From KTH Student to Security Analyst at Netnod – Tor’s Journey

A lucky connection

“My journey to Netnod was really a mix of luck and timing,” Tor recalls. “During a previous job, I met Netnod’s Chief Security Officer, Patrik Fältström. We discussed a few projects — and one of them turned out to be so fascinating that I couldn’t resist getting involved.”

That initial part-time collaboration lasted a year. When the project finished, Tor already knew he wanted to stay.

“I told them I’d love to continue full-time — and luckily, that worked out.”

Balancing studies and work

Combining a university workload with a real-world security role might sound intense, but for Tor, Netnod’s flexibility made it possible.

“Netnod really trusted me to plan my own schedule. I could choose my workdays to fit around lectures,” he says.

“It was demanding at times, but the freedom to manage my own time made all the difference.”

Learning never stops

At Netnod, learning doesn’t end when you leave university. Tor highlights how much support there is for continuous development.

“Even as a junior, you can attend courses, workshops, and conferences,” he says. “Just last week, I found an interesting security conference in Brussels, and my manager encouraged me to go.”

He also values the chance to explore his own ideas:

“There’s room to drive your own projects, pick the technologies you want to explore, and learn from the experts sitting around you. That’s incredibly motivating.”

Growing through projects

When asked about moments of growth, Tor lights up.

“I’ve had the chance to work on several deep technical projects that really expanded my understanding. But one larger project — which I managed alongside my studies — was a real turning point. It taught me so much about project organisation, structure, and ownership.”

A culture built on trust and expertise

So what’s it like working at Netnod?

“The culture is very competence-driven — and I mean that in the best way,” Tor says. “Everyone here is extremely good at what they do, and that creates mutual trust. You own your tasks, from start to finish. Management trusts your judgment, and while you might have to explain your reasoning sometimes, bureaucracy never gets in the way.”

Competing at the highest level: Locked Shields

One of Tor’s proudest experiences so far has been taking part in Locked Shields, one of the world’s largest cyber defence exercises, with the Netnod team.

“In 2024 and 2025, I was part of the Blue Team [the team tasked with defending digital infrastructure],” he says. “The first year, I worked on situation reports, helping our team understand how the opponent moved in the digital environment. The second year, I actually led my group — organising workflows, collecting Indicators of Compromise, and mapping adversary behaviour.”

“It was incredible to see how collaboration, clear communication, and good tooling can make such a difference. And to be part of a team full of brilliant, passionate people — that’s something I’ll never forget. If you’re thinking about applying – do it.”

Tor’s message to students and young professionals is simple:

“Go for it! Netnod offers amazing opportunities to grow in a trust-based, flexible environment where you’re encouraged to take ownership and explore your interests. You’ll work with incredibly skilled colleagues and face challenges that truly stretch your skills. If you’re curious, driven, and ready to take on real technical challenges — Netnod is the place to be.”