Mikko Axelson
As a security evangelist I strive to make complicated information easy to understand and complicated technology transparent to users. By visualizing and translate data into tangible information I provide business with insight and intelligence that easily can be understood and used to make informed decisions from.
My mission is that IT and related controls should enable business and serve people, not disrupt, or disturb, where one of the mantras is that it should be complicated to do things in a wrong way, and easy to act correctly, else something needs to be adjusted.
Successful rapid decisions are based on an understanding if the situation today, is equal, better or worse than yesterday.
Profile
I’m an experienced principal information security advisor, architect, and consultant with a broad technical background in IT- security, IT-compliance and risk management areas, where I efficiently and objectively deliver my commitments with the highest quality.
Easy to work with and enjoy life, Living in Ekerö, Stockholm with my beloved wife and son. For the work-life balance I like to spend my free time with family, scuba diving (mostly with my son) and various construction activities, gardening, computers and home automation, photo, and video, however, not at the same time.
Since 1998, I have participated in, and been a leader of, several successful projects and roles in the field of information security, both in terms of design, projects and implementation of infrastructure and security solutions.
Working in various roles as a leading security advisor, architect, creative manager, and mentor regarding solutions with high focus on security and compliance have giving me a broad knowledge in many areas and the ability to specialize when needed. I’m used to work both on my own and in a group to achieve set goals and is appreciated by clients, teammates and management.
Assignments have mostly been related to the financial sector and socially critical high-security solutions for the public sector, always with IT security and compliance in focus. This has resulted in a very good understanding of business requirements and how these affect IT and related risks on business and vice versa.
Always using a pragmatic approach to security, and like to design, implement, and describe security solutions and related flows, as well as formulate criteria and evaluate solutions from a security perspective. I speak out and says what I think, both good and bad.
In summary I’m proficient in handling IT-Security related assignment within strategy, architecture, design, risk and vulnerability assessments, visualization, cyber resilience, policy’s, frameworks. Assessing security and compliance for solutions, systems and processes.
Worked in the IT security field since 1998 and has played with computers since 1981.
Consultancy areas and expertise
If you are able to easily understand if your risk, security and compliance level are better, worse or the same as yesterday, how would that affect your business decisions?
Helping you in any area, from start to end or just between, click on the picture below to see how I can assist
Skills and Competences
I have been using computers since 1981, professionally since 1998. Knowledge and education are perishable, and I continuously update my knowledge to be relevant. ISACA and ISC2 certifications also require for continuous education. During the years I’ve learned a lot within the full range of IT-security, risk and compliance both technical and process wise. Learning the theory is valuable, but the practical real-life experience with success and failures, has been far more effective.
Skills
- General computers 40+ years
- Information Security 20+ years
- Security Assessments 20+ years
- Documentation 20+years
- Risk and Compliance 10+years
- PCI DSS, ISO2700x 15+ years
- Network and Security tech 20+y
- Servers, virtualization and infrastructure 15+ years
Industry Knowledge
- Managed Services 20+ years
- Financial Sector 10+ years
- Public Sector 7+ years
Current Certifications
- CISSP, since 2009
- CISM, since 2011
- CRISC, since 2012
Language
- Swedish, native
- English, fluent
Assignments and Employmnets
Service Architect, CGI Sweden RegTech
Security Manager, Public sector, CGI
Lead Information Security Advisor, Tieto AB
Red team NISÖ 2018, Tieto
Lead Security Architect, Security services – Tieto
Lead Security Specialist, Tieto AB
Senior Security Consultant, TrueSec AB
Senior Security Specialist, Tieto Sverige AB
IT Specialist, Abaris AB
Engagements and interests
Engagement and having fun is key elements in success as a security advisor and manager, or any other area. I’m not afraid taking decisions, and I have no prestige in those decisions, better to take a faulty decision that can be adjusted then no decision at all. But most of all I need to have fun and challanging environments to thrive.
I adjust as we go along.
Camper van
Latest project is to build our home made campervan.
Diving
Diving with my son is something I realy enjoy, mostly dive in sweden and the red sea. CMAS** / SSI Diveguide
Prima eSport
Involved in eSport as my son finds it interesting, it’s an another world, So between 2019-2022 I was chairman of the board for Prima eSport Ekerö. Involved in bootcamps, LAN party and related activities
Hockey youth skating coach
Beetween 2015-2019 I was leader in youth hockeyschool as volunteer, training youth to scate and have fun
Hockey coach / leader Team-06
Between 2012-2019 I was headcoach/assistantcoach for Ekerö IK / Skå IK Team-06