From Intern to Security Engineer: Clément’s Journey at LNDS

In the second edition of the People blog series, we introduce Clément, who transitioned from an intern to a full-time security engineer. Clément shares his unique journey; discusses his background, the challenges he faced, and his aspirations for the future. This story is a testament to our commitment to fostering growth and development within our team.

Finding LNDS: A Journey from Western France to Luxembourg

Can you tell us about your background and what attracted you to LNDS?

I started in an engineering school right after high school, specializing in cybersecurity. Before joining LNDS, I did an internship in a traditional, non-tech organisation. This experience allowed me to see the difference between a non-tech organisation, where IT is just a tool, and a tech company, where IT is the core product. I was looking for an internship abroad to validate my diploma and found LNDS through a friend. I wasn’t specifically looking to work in Luxembourg, but I wanted to join a small organisation where I could work on a broad range of missions and explore different fields in security.

How has your experience been, moving from Western France to Luxembourg?

It was surprising at first, especially working in English. It took me a couple of months to become fluent enough for daily conversations and meetings. Socializing in English was a challenge, but I’ve grown more comfortable over time. The international environment at LNDS, with people from diverse cultures, was a big but pleasant shock for me. I didn’t initially plan to move to Luxembourg, but I knew I needed to be in a bigger city for IT security opportunities. Luxembourg has been a great fit.

Building a Career at LNDS – Evolution from Intern to Full-Time Employee

Can you walk us through your experience as an intern and the challenges you faced?

From the start, I was encouraged to propose ideas and felt included in the team’s vision, which helped me overcome initial fears and uncertainties. As an intern, my scope was less broad than in my current position because in security, you need privileged access, which is limited for interns. My missions were then specific and short-term, aimed at completing projects that wouldn’t require long-term maintenance after my departure. One of the main challenges was that when I joined in summer 2023, LNDS was still in its early phase, and I was the first member of the security team. Without a senior security expert to guide the vision, I had to rely on discussions with the open and supportive team to find my place and understand what needed to be done.

What motivated you to transition from an intern to a full-time employee?

Several factors motivated me. First, the people at LNDS were really nice, and I wanted to continue working with them. Then, the missions were broad and challenging, which was exactly what I was looking for. LNDS being at its early stages meant there were many things to build and opportunities to propose a vision for security while performing diverse tasks. I’ve realised through this experience, that it’s possible to have a broad mission in security rather than specialising in one specific area. This realisation has given me confidence that I don’t need to pick a specific path just yet. I’m curious about many topics, and I believe that being versatile makes me valuable to an organisation. I want to follow this path to continue gaining knowledge and I think LNDS is a good place to perform this goal.

The supportive colleagues and the organisation’s culture made it an easy decision to stay in a longer-run.

Clément, LNDS Security Engineer

Can you explain your current role and what it entails?

As a Security Engineer, my main mission is to ensure everything at LNDS is secure. This includes overseeing several IT activities, ensuring they are secure by design, and maintaining security throughout their lifecycle. I work on both preventative and corrective measures, ensuring services are secure before they are implemented and testing them post-implementation. My role also involves ensuring that the tools used internally, like laptops, are handled securely.

Did you observe some changes transitioning from your internship to your current role?

While the basic approach to my work hasn’t changed, the scope and depth of my responsibilities have expanded significantly. During my internship, I was working on the initial stages of the ISO certification project, and now I’m deeply involved in it as we move towards completion. In contrast, the relationship with colleagues is something important that has remained consistent; I was welcomed as a full-time employee even during my internship and I’ve always felt part of the team.

Aiming High: Professional Goals and Learning Experiences

What are your professional goals at LNDS, and how do you plan to achieve them?

My goal is to gain as much experience as possible and continue doing my best for the organisation. As I gain more seniority, I hope to propose more valuable ideas and ensure everyone stays on the same level in terms of security. LNDS’s fast-paced environment means constant changes, and I aim to stay adaptable and proactive.

Can you share a specific project or achievement you’re particularly proud of?

The ISO certification project stands out. It’s a long-term project that involves many different teams within the company, from legal to development to higher management. This project is not just about security; it’s about integrating security across all facets of the company. It is particularly challenging as this position is my first work experience involving such a large-scale initiative. It’s also a “standard project” in many companies, so successfully completing it at LNDS will equip me with valuable skills that I can apply in future roles. I hope achieving the certification will be a significant milestone in my career.

What advice would you give to other interns aspiring to secure a full-time position at LNDS?

If you are deeply involved in your mission and the team, you will be able to achieve great things. At LNDS, you’re surrounded by a variety of topics and diverse profiles, providing a unique opportunity to gather extensive knowledge.

The teams here are smaller than in large organisations, allowing you to interact closely with legal professionals, data stewards, data analysts, developers, and even higher management. Everyone is approachable and willing to share their expertise. If you are curious and actively seek out this knowledge, applying it to your work, you will excel and have a strong chance of securing a long-term position.

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Thank you, Clément, for sharing this interesting journey at LNDS. Your story highlights the importance of a supportive and inclusive work environment in fostering professional growth and personal development.

Clément’s story is a perfect example of how LNDS nurtures talent and values diversity, contributing to our inclusive and dynamic company culture. Stay tuned for the next edition of this People blog series, where we will meet more of the talented individuals driving our success forward!