Membership Directory - Individual
Lena Gibson
Cyber Security Engineer at FCA
About
Bio: Lena Gibson is a highly skilled and passionate cyber security engineer with over three years of professional experience, including two years at the FCA specializing in SIEM, SOAR, XDR, and vulnerability management, with a particular focus on Microsoft Security products. Lena currently works as an associate security engineer at the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), where she has played a key role in enhancing security monitoring, incident response, and automation through her work with Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender. Her expertise extends to the development and implementation of CI/CD pipelines with embedded security controls, leveraging Azure DevOps to strengthen the organization’s DevSecOps practices.
A graduate of the University of Leicester with a degree in physics, Lena has a strong analytical and technical foundation that she has adeptly translated into her cyber security career. During her time at the FCA, Lena completed a three-month secondment with the FCA’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), where she gained hands-on experience in security alert analysis, threat hunting, and threat intelligence. This experience broadened her understanding of cyber threats and equipped her with the practical skills necessary to identify and mitigate emerging security risks.
Lena’s passion for cyber security is evident in her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Her work at the FCA reflects her ability to navigate complex security challenges in a highly regulated environment, safeguarding critical financial infrastructure.
As a proud transgender woman, Lena is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, particularly within the tech and cyber security sectors. Her journey in the industry, marked by both professional excellence and personal resilience, serves as an inspiration to others in the LGBT+ community. Lena has been recognized for her contributions to her organisation, and she actively seeks opportunities to create more inclusive and supportive environments for all professionals, regardless of their background or identity.
In her personal life, Lena is a self-proclaimed nerd with a love for video games, fantasy literature, anime, and rock and metal music. These interests further underscore her multifaceted personality, blending a passion for technology and creativity with a deep commitment to social justice and advocacy for the LGBT+ community.
A graduate of the University of Leicester with a degree in physics, Lena has a strong analytical and technical foundation that she has adeptly translated into her cyber security career. During her time at the FCA, Lena completed a three-month secondment with the FCA’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), where she gained hands-on experience in security alert analysis, threat hunting, and threat intelligence. This experience broadened her understanding of cyber threats and equipped her with the practical skills necessary to identify and mitigate emerging security risks.
Lena’s passion for cyber security is evident in her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Her work at the FCA reflects her ability to navigate complex security challenges in a highly regulated environment, safeguarding critical financial infrastructure.
As a proud transgender woman, Lena is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, particularly within the tech and cyber security sectors. Her journey in the industry, marked by both professional excellence and personal resilience, serves as an inspiration to others in the LGBT+ community. Lena has been recognized for her contributions to her organisation, and she actively seeks opportunities to create more inclusive and supportive environments for all professionals, regardless of their background or identity.
In her personal life, Lena is a self-proclaimed nerd with a love for video games, fantasy literature, anime, and rock and metal music. These interests further underscore her multifaceted personality, blending a passion for technology and creativity with a deep commitment to social justice and advocacy for the LGBT+ community.
Mentor Information
Mentor Availability: Available
Location: London
Experience Level: Associate
Areas of Expertise: Diversity & Inclusion, Technology
As a dedicated and experienced cyber security professional, I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a mentor in an LGBT mentorship scheme. With a diverse career spanning both technical expertise and leadership roles, I believe I can offer guidance and support that is both practical and empathetic, particularly to LGBT individuals navigating the complexities of both the cyber security industry and their personal identities.
In my current role at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), I have honed my skills in advanced threat detection, SIEM platform development, and cloud security architecture, all while working in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. I have led the design and implementation of cutting-edge integrations and automated alerting mechanisms that significantly enhanced the organization’s security posture. This hands-on experience, along with my proficiency in tools like Power BI, Azure, and Terraform, enables me to offer mentees real-world insights into the technical demands and career paths in the cyber security sector.
Beyond technical know-how, I can offer mentees valuable lessons in resilience, adaptability, and personal growth, having navigated both corporate and cultural spaces as an LGBT professional. My work at IBM, where I managed the workload and tools of a team of engineers and solved complex technical problems, taught me the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and mentorship. I’m eager to share how these skills not only make a strong security engineer but also foster inclusivity and teamwork in environments that can often feel isolating to LGBT individuals.
With certifications in Security Operations, Agile, and ITIL, coupled with my academic background in Physics from the University of Leicester, I have a well-rounded foundation in both technical and strategic elements of cyber security. I am committed to helping mentees achieve their goals, whether they’re just starting out or looking to deepen their expertise in the field. I can offer advice on certifications, career progression, and even navigating office dynamics as an LGBT professional in a traditionally male-dominated space.
As someone passionate about personal and professional development, I understand the significance of representation and community. Being part of the LGBT community myself, I have firsthand experience with the challenges of balancing career aspirations with personal identity. I would love to create a safe and open space for mentees to discuss these experiences, offering not only career advice but also mentorship on how to thrive authentically in both their personal and professional lives.
By joining this mentorship scheme, I aim to empower LGBT individuals to navigate the evolving cyber security landscape with confidence and self-assurance, knowing that they belong in this field and have much to offer. Together, we can break down barriers, build skills, and create a more inclusive future for cyber security.
To request this Mentor, please complete the Mentor Request Form below:
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