Artem Grigor

What’s your background? 

I’m originally from Moscow, Russia, but my ambition to explore the wider world brought me to the UK, where I completed my BSc in Computer Science at the University of Warwick. After graduating, I worked as a Cryptography Research Engineer at a company specialising in online voting, which solidified my passion for security and cryptography. 

Working closely with academics, I realised that this field fascinates me and drove my desire to pursue further research. After a year in the industry, I returned to pursue a Master's, determined to dive deeper into computer security and cryptography at UCL.

Why did you choose to study Computer Science at UCL?

I chose UCL for its strong focus on Information Security and the renowned faculty leading the programme. I had the privilege of meeting Professor Philipp Jovanovic at a conference, and his passion for the field, along with the expertise of the other faculty members, made UCL stand out. 

The combination of world-class research and a hands-on teaching approach convinced me it was the best place to advance my knowledge in security and cryptography. Looking back, it was absolutely the right choice—I’ve had the chance to learn from leading experts who are genuinely dedicated to the subject.

What were the highlights of your CS programme?

One of the standout experiences in my programme was the incredible guest speakers UCL hosted during our Cryptocurrencies course. I still remember in great detail, a lecture by a Professor George Danezis, a UCL faculty member who founded a company that directly competed with one of my former employers.

I was able to engage with him after the talk and delve into questions about consensus systems—an unforgettable learning moment. Another highlight was the Distributed Systems and Security module (COMP0133), where we tackled real-world problems and had amazing in-person discussions. I especially enjoyed the coursework, where we designed a distributed system from scratch, which really pushed us to conduct independent research and think critically.

What were the highlights of your time generally at UCL?

Being part of UCL’s vibrant community was a major highlight of my time while studying. As a member of the Eurasian Business Society, I helped organise the largest Eurasian Business event in London, which attracted over 400 attendees. It was an amazing opportunity to network with entrepreneurs I had admired from afar.

Another highlight was representing UCL’s Blockchain Society at the Oxford Hackathon, where our teams took top prizes in 5 out of 6 categories. Apart from academics, I loved how easy it was to get involved in activities such as yoga nights and the poetry club on campus, adding a suitable balance to my student life.

What industry and career opportunities did you get access to on your programme?

I had attended several career events and career consultancy services provided by UCL. However, I was mostly interested in starting my own career consultancy service, I felt the most value came from the startup support and there was a lot of help. The Hatchery incubator provided incredible networking opportunities, while the Eurasian Business Society and UCL’s startup team helped me refine my business ideas.

Through these connections, I was able to advance into the prestigious Entrepreneur First accelerator programme. I also took the Entrepreneurship for Engineers class with Professor Philip Treleaven, who later became my dissertation supervisor.

The guest speakers and pitch feedback sessions in this course were invaluable and helped shape my approach to entrepreneurship. They evaluated our pitches and ideas and suggested how to improve it. That was all very useful.

What did you write your dissertation on? 

My dissertation focused on the intersection of Cryptography, Security, and Machine Learning—specifically, how to perform Verifiable and Privacy-Preserving Inference with Machine Learning models. I was fortunate to have a clear vision for this topic even before starting at UCL, which allowed me to hit the ground running.

I chose Professor Philip Treleaven as my supervisor because I aimed for academic contribution as well, being able to explore startup potential. Balancing research with product development, customer interviews, and pitches made this a highly rewarding challenge.

The weekly group calls with my supervisor and peers were incredibly helpful for staying on track and gaining valuable insights from how others were progressing. My work also gave me the opportunity to present an idea at the workshop during the prestigious Eurocrypt conference, which was both humbling and encouraging.

How did you manage your workload, and what advice would you give to prospective students?

Managing my workload at UCL involved striking a balance between coursework and taking full advantage of extracurricular activities. I organised my time by front-loading lectures early in the week, which allowed me to dedicate the rest of my time to seminars, networking, and personal research. My advice for prospective students is to prioritise extracurricular activities, especially in the first few weeks, as that's when you have the most flexibility. Sign up for society newsletters and attend as many events as you can to build relationships with peers and professors. 

Don't hesitate to ask questions - Professors and Teaching Assistants are very approachable, and some of my most insightful academic moments came from staying after lectures to discuss new ideas. Engage with the community early, and you'll get the most out of UCL's rich environment.

If you were an international student, how easy was it to settle in? How did you find studying in the UK?

Coming from Moscow, Russia, I was both excited and a little apprehensive about moving to London, but UCL made the transition smooth. The diverse community and welcoming atmosphere helped me settle in quickly. Joining societies like the Eurasian Business Society and the Blockchain Society allowed me to make meaningful connections and find my place.

The wide range of events, from startup networking to social activities, ensured there was always something happening. London was a huge highlight—the city’s energy and cultural diversity are unmatched, and I loved having access to so many activities, from yoga on campus to tech meetups across the city. 

UCL provided the perfect environment for both academic and personal growth, and I felt fully supported throughout my time at UCL. 

Where are you working now, and what are your career goals? How did your programme help you achieve this?

I am the founder and CEO of Confidenti, a startup I launched while at UCL, building on the work I did for my dissertation. UCL provided invaluable support, both academically and through its entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

The combination of business seminars, technical classes, and networking opportunities gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to turn my ideas into a venture.

I’m also planning to start a PhD early next year to continue advancing in this field. The encouragement I received from the Faculty, alongside the numerous startup events and societies, made UCL the perfect place to experiment with my ideas and build something meaningful.

Without UCL, I wouldn’t have had the tools or the confidence to start this journey.

Why would you recommend this course?

I would highly recommend the Information Security MSc at UCL for its comprehensive curriculum and exceptional faculty. The professors are not only leading experts in their fields but also passionate about teaching, which creates a dynamic learning environment. 

The course offers countless industry collaborations, with many students working on real-world projects for their dissertations. Whether you want to dive into academia or start your own venture like I did, UCL provides the support and resources to help you succeed. 

Plus, being in the heart of London, you're surrounded by opportunities to network, attend events, and engage with a vibrant tech community. This combination of academic excellence and practical opportunities sets UCL apart and provides a strong foundation for any career path.

The information on this page reflects the graduate's status at the time of publication (October 2024).