Meet alumni Andreas Fjord Larsen

Andreas Fjord Larsen                                                                                                                       Degree: MSc in Strategic Communication and Brand Management    Position: Strategic Security Consultant                                                                 

Andreas’ role in the industry 
​As an independent consultant, Andreas helps companies analyze and assess risk factors related to potential cyberattacks. A major part of his work involves identifying and approaching potential clients, as well as supporting them in developing practices for information security—especially in the event of a security breach.

Andreas has been particularly skilled at leveraging his network from the former Business House South (Erhvervshus Syd) to build a solid client portfolio—both in the Region of Southern Denmark and Aarhus. His primary target group is small and medium-sized enterprises, which often haven’t implemented preventive cybersecurity measures. These businesses are typically more vulnerable to attacks, as financial constraints significantly impact how many resources they can allocate.

Andreas holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Communication and Brand Management. This not only enables him to perform in-depth assessments of a company’s potential losses in the case of, for example, a ransom demand but also to provide targeted advice on how cybersecurity and risk management can be integrated as a natural part of daily business operations. After conducting a thorough analysis of the company’s assets, he delivers a report that identifies specific risk areas—for example, if employees inadvertently click on malicious links. He also presents suggestions for how the company can strategically manage its value and risk exposure.

In addition to his work as a consultant, he also assists businesses with financial management. He is currently developing a course aimed at entrepreneurs to teach them how to prepare their own financial statements. He also offers exam prep courses and gives lectures where he shares his knowledge of risk management and finance.

Education choice
​When Andreas had to choose a degree, it was almost a given that he would pursue economics. With a father from an economic background, the field was close to home. He initially began a Bachelor's in Economics (Oecon) and completed the first four semesters immediately after high school, but chose to leave the program because he wanted more than just numbers and theory—he also sought a deeper understanding of people and their behavior.

In 2019, he restarted his academic journey with a degree in Market and Management Anthropology (MMA); here, he gained a more nuanced view of society than pure economics could offer, and he had the opportunity to combine his knowledge of finance with insights into human behavior and strategic communication.

As his studies progressed, Andreas built strong relationships with both researchers and lecturers at the Odense campus. He became actively involved in student politics and was a central figure in the academic and social student environment. This close academic connection and his growing curiosity made him eager to pursue a Master’s degree, where he could delve into the subjects that truly fascinated him. 

Andreas had a clear ambition to work strategically with development in businesses and organizations. That’s why he chose a MSc in Business Administration, which sharpened his ability to analyze issues quantitatively—a perfect academic complement to the qualitative approach he had developed through MMA.

For Andreas, the MSc program was an ideal continuation of his interests. It not only allowed him to work more holistically with companies but also to carry on his father’s legacy and interest in the economic field—while adding his own human and analytical dimension.

The importance of education
​Andreas’ education has laid the foundation for his professional development. It forms the basis of the approach he uses every day in his work with clients.

“I can use my education in many different ways, including being able to clarify a problem and communicate it clearly and understandably to the recipient. I’ve found it relatively easy to take on large tasks and extract the most important elements so that the message comes across clearly.”

If you ask Andreas, his greatest competence from university is the ability to investigate complex issues. When he tackles assignments, his approach is built on the ability to translate academic tools into concrete and practical solutions. He frequently sees overlaps between his current work methods and the tools he learned during his studies. Even though the accounting work he does today doesn’t directly mirror the accounting courses at university, he still finds the analytical methods he learned to be highly applicable in practice. Especially in client interactions, he draws on his knowledge from the MMA program, where he learned to communicate in ways that resonate with the recipient and help them envision themselves in a future solution. His education enables him to pass on knowledge so that other business owners gain the tools they need to run their companies both financially responsibly and with a focus on security.