For Tomi Tuominen, security has never been just a job. It has been a lifelong challenge and source of inspiration. Over the past three decades, Tuominen has grown to one of Finland’s most respected security leaders. Today, he serves as Chief Security Officer at Wolt and is an investor and advisor to LOUHE.
“I’ve always seen the world as a puzzle,” Tuominen says. “Whether it’s locks, safes, or computer systems, I want to understand how they work, and how they can be improved to prevent being hacked.”
From Allergies to Algorithms: A Start in Security
Tuominen’s journey into security began in an unusual way. As a child, severe allergies often kept him indoors during the summer. His father bought him a computer, which quickly became a window to new worlds. At 12, he was already curious about how systems behaved – even pulling the plug on a roulette machine at a store to see what would happen.
By the late 1980s, he was exploring the early internet through modems and experimenting with what was then an uncharted frontier. An encounter with RFC documents describing how the internet worked left a lasting impression.
“That was probably the coolest thing I had ever seen,” Tuominen recalls of those early explorations. “Suddenly, there was a whole new universe to learn from.”
Not long after, he joined Data Fellows (later F-Secure) as one of its earliest employees: “ I was probably employee no.39 or something like that.”
Building a Global Reputation
Over the years, Tuominen has worn many hats: researcher, consultant, advisor, and leader. He founded the T2 security conference and gained international recognition for groundbreaking research such as Ghost in the Locks, which revealed vulnerabilities in leading access control systems and was cited in over 1,300 articles worldwide.
He emphasizes that luck and timing have often played a role. “I was at the right place at the right time,” he says, citing as an example an early Black Hat conference where he accidentally ended up at the speaker’s table, pulling him into a circle of top experts.
Since 2021, Tuominen has taken on perhaps his most demanding role yet: Chief Security Officer at Wolt, where he is responsible for safeguarding a rapidly growing global platform.
The Always Changing Landscape of Security
When asked how security has evolved over his 30-year career, Tuominen points to massive advances in tools and technology, from operating systems to encryption. In the early 2000s, only around 20% of internet traffic was encrypted; today, it is close to 100 %. At the same time, complexity has exploded.
“Back then, you could still find people who understood the entire system,” he explains. “Today, no one can do it alone. Networks are virtualized, everything is software-defined, and defenders need to cover a much wider front.”
He is particularly concerned about leadership blind spots. “Too few executives truly understand technology,” Tuominen warns.
“Every company today is a technology company. Without putting technology at the core, they risk fading away.”
On AI, Risk, and Opportunity
Like many security leaders, Tuominen is frequently asked about artificial intelligence. He believes the conversation is often skewed toward fear.
“Throughout history, people have been scared of new things – from television to rock music. The opportunities are much greater than the risks. Technology has brought us enormous well-being.”
Still, he cautions against careless use of AI tools: “You wouldn’t tape employees’ personal data to your back and walk down the main street. Don’t put sensitive information into platforms blindly e.g., make sure that your data is not used to train the AI models and that the licensing terms are acceptable.”
Why LOUHE?
So why did Tuominen choose to back LOUHE as an investor and advisor? For him, the decision came down to three questions he always asks about a company: Are they solving the right problem? Are they solving it the right way? And is the price point right?
“LOUHE ticks all three boxes,” he says. “The company has a unique combination of technology and service. Its focus on uncovering hidden risks in physical security is exactly the kind of problem that needs solving.”
Tuominen brings not only decades of experience but also a vast network. “If I don’t know the answer, I know someone who does,” he notes. “That’s how I can best support LOUHE’s team.”
Motivation to Continue Improving Security
What continues to motivate Tuominen after more than three decades in security? For him, the answer is simple.
“There are no boring days in this field. If you like things to stay the same, security is not for you. Every day brings something new, and the chance to make the world a safer place. I’ve always wanted to be on the good side, protecting those who can’t protect themselves.”
With Tuominen’s guidance, LOUHE is further strengthening its mission to help organizations see their environments clearly, manage risks intelligently, and build safer futures.
