Allen Brindley
Joined in September 2025 after studying cyber security with digital forensics at Edinburgh Napier University, following earlier degrees in neuroscience
A route into cybersecurity
My path into Baillie Gifford was not a straight line. I originally studied neuroscience, worked in pharmaceuticals and then took the time to think seriously about what I actually wanted to do long term. That led me into technology and, ultimately, into cybersecurity.
What stood out to me about Baillie Gifford was that the graduate programme recognised that people do not always arrive with everything mapped out. There was room to talk openly about interests, strengths and where I wanted to grow.
I joined as the firm’s first dedicated cybersecurity graduate, which has made the experience especially exciting. My rotations sit within the security teams, so I can build depth in an area I am genuinely interested in while still seeing different specialisms across the function.
Learning on the front line
I am currently in Security Operations, where the team helps maintain the firm's security day to day. That includes triaging alerts, threat hunting and detection engineering. One of the things I enjoy about the work is that it combines investigation with problem-solving. You are not just reacting to incidents; you are also thinking ahead about what could happen and how to strengthen defences before an issue appears.
One of my highlights was my first time handling a genuine phishing alert. Until that point, a lot of the learning had been about tools, processes and understanding the environment. Working through a true positive with the team, tracing the source and helping with remediation made everything feel real. It was a great learning experience and also a confidence boost, because I could see my work having a direct purpose.
Encouraged to contribute
That sense of encouragement has shaped my experience here. The application process was the most personal I came across, and since joining, I have felt trusted to contribute rather than observe. I have already had opportunities to attend industry events and to learn from professionals across the field. For me, that mix of support, challenge and genuine hands-on experience is what has made the programme stand out.
Please note that any references to current teams in bios are as of the time of writing and may not reflect the current situation due to the nature of the programmes.