Codemate’s IT security specialist, Vesse Saastamoinen, was drawn to IT security even before formal education or roles in the field existed. His journey to Codemate began when he applied for an internship at a Finnish company in Bangkok – and he’s been with the company ever since.
While studying information technology at JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Vesse experienced Asia for the first time through an exchange programme. Thailand, and especially Bangkok, made a lasting impression on him. Since joining Codemate, he has primarily worked from our Bangkok office, making occasional visits to Finland.
– I spend most of my time in Thailand. I don’t have a home or anything in Finland, apart from staying with my parents. Still, I try to visit Finland at least once a year, Vesse explains.
Read Hannu’s journey from IT entrepreneur to CodemateSecurity testing: Demanding but rewarding
Security testing lies at the heart of Vesse’s expertise, but his projects often involve a variety of testing methods.
– In nearly every project over the past few years, I’ve carried out a wide range of tests. In addition to security testing, I’ve also worked on test automation, performance testing, and exploratory testing, he lists.
– We also conduct audits to identify vulnerabilities and risks on client web applications. The findings are compiled into a report, which is then presented to the client.
Compared to coding, testing often requires more patience, as it doesn’t always yield immediate results. Days can go by without uncovering vulnerabilities, whereas developers frequently see the impact of their work almost in real-time. For testers, the rewards often take longer to materialise.
– I can spend days testing without finding anything, and then suddenly I find a vulnerability. This might be why people who are used to coding often don’t enjoy testing – it doesn’t offer instant gratification, Vesse reflects.
Data breaches highlight the importance of IT security
Vesse has observed that client inquiries tend to surge whenever major data breaches or leaks make headlines. He keeps a close eye on emerging vulnerabilities and reflects on the root causes of such incidents.
– The truth is, human error often plays a significant role in data leaks. More often the breach happens through some employee’s account or with vulnerabilities that would’ve been caught with minimal security testing, rather than with a completely new type of very technical vulnerability, Vesse points out.
Testing is essential in application and web development precisely because humans aren’t perfect. If software is riddled with bugs, It’s very likely there’s some security vulnerabilities hiding as well. With cyberattacks becoming increasingly common, Vesse strongly believes that security testing should be a mandatory part in the development process.
– Many companies rely on automated security scanners But don’t necessarily understand, or know how to verify the results they provide. These tools only cover a small portion of potential risks, as they can’t, for example, grasp an application’s business logic and focus only on certain areas. Automated testing is important, but you also need a professional to approach things from an attacker’s perspective, he explains.
Read how you can protect your brand with cybersecurityCodemate’s distinct work culture thrives across all its locations
Codemate operates in four cities: Helsinki, Oulu, Jyväskylä, and Bangkok. Despite the geographical distance, the company maintains a consistent culture and way of working, creating an environment employees genuinely enjoy.
– I’ve been at Codemate for over eight years, and one of the best things has always been the open atmosphere. You can talk about anything. There’s no rigid hierarchy, everyone’s on the same level, as the name suggests, Vesse says.
– The projects are interesting, the colleagues are great, and there’s no hidden agenda or office politics.
Codemate stands out from other Finnish and Thai companies by maintaining its unique culture in Bangkok, despite the thousands of kilometres separating the offices. While the Bangkok office is smaller than its counterparts in Finland, regular social activities foster a strong sense of community – especially when colleagues from Finland come to visit.
– Whenever Toni or Jukka (Codemate’s founders) visit, we all play Padel together and try to keep up, Vesse laughs.
Take a peek into Codemate’s distinctive office lifeCollaboration with colleagues and clients flows seamlessly, no matter their location. During his visits to Finland, Vesse also tries to meet up with teammates, particularly those at the Helsinki office.
– Working across countries doesn’t really change anything. I’ve met most Codemates in person, and it’s always easy to call and stay in touch, he adds.
Codemate’s flexibility supports diverse passions
In his younger years, Vesse was an avid parkour enthusiast, which opened doors to a completely different career. He has appeared in numerous indie productions and even in Hollywood-level projects, such as The Last Full Measure (2019) and the TV series Shantaram (2022).
– Parkour opened the door to the stunt scene in Thailand, which eventually led to my first Hollywood film. On the first day of filming, the director tapped me on the shoulder and picked me for an acting role. Since then, I’ve remained active in the industry, Vesse recalls.
Codemate’s flexible work culture has allowed Vesse to pursue his acting career alongside his day job. Although Thailand’s film industry is relatively small, opportunities for larger projects come up a few times a year.
– Even though I’m actively working as an actor, I’ve never thought about leaving cybersecurity testing completely, he notes.
– Codemate gives a lot of freedom and trust, letting you build your work around your life.
Encouraging colleagues to visit Bangkok
For Vesse, maintaining a balance between work, acting, and leisure is easy. An engaging job, the chance to live in Bangkok, and great colleagues have kept him at Codemate for nearly a decade. However, he has one piece of advice:
– Colleagues from Finland should visit here more often. It’s always nice to have people come over, and let’s face it, working by the pool isn’t too bad either, Vesse grins.
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