2023 Wrapped

“Experience is not the best teacher; evaluated experience is the best teacher. Reflective thinking is needed to turn experience into insight- John Maxwell

Music is a huge part of my life….I create a playlist for everything which is no surprise considering I spent a decade as a radio broadcaster for the leading radio station in Nigeria. To reflect and review my professional development in the year gone by I will be borrowing the template from my favourite streaming platform Spotify to wrap 2023:

• Work -The year began with a new role at a PCI Security Standards Council Qualified Security Assessor (PCI QSA) and Business and Technology service firm, enabling credible solutions to organisations and individuals for cyber resilience, digital trust, competence development, and managed services. As with any new role there are learning curves!

• Continuous Professional Education- The dynamic and fast paced nature of the information security field demands frequent training. I was delighted to successfully earn my first ISACA certificate #COBIT by demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of the principles, concepts and methodologies used to establish, enhance and maintain a system for effective governance and management of enterprise information and technology

• Fellowships-I was selected to join the inaugural cohort of the Imternational Telecommunication Union Her Cyber Tracks Fellowship. The six month program , with an initial focus on select African and European countries, aimed to promote the equal, full, and meaningful representation of women in cybersecurity, creating a more resilient cyberspace for all by delivering a comprehensive curriculum on cybersecurity policy-making, and cyber-diplomacy. Her Cyber Tracks was launched by the Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Cosmas Luckyson ZAVAZAVA, Dr. and incorporated online and on-site training sessions in cybersecurity policy and diplomacy, simulation exercises in negotiation, as well as training in the soft skills needed to meaningfully participate in key policy-making processes. The program culminated with a simulation exercise on UN-level international cybersecurity decision-making processes, multilateral negotiations training and networking at the Koffi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra Ghana.

• Industry Advocacy and Impact- I am very bullish on supporting and empowering rising professionals from the global south to advance their careers in digital trust. As technology advances every single day, the need for talent continues to be a critical issue. A serious workforce shortage threatens the growth and innovation of the technology industry on a global level but most especially in Sub-Saharan Africa . In collaboration with Ramona Ratiu- MS, CISA, CISM, GSTRT, GCCC we facilitated a partnership with ISACA s Academic & Workforce Program along with the ISACA Foundation and the Chicago and Abuja Chapters to address the underrepresentation of women in technology. The collaboration provided membership and IT risk management training plus certification exams to 85 fellows from the CyberSafe Foundation #CyberGirlsFellowship. The ISACA IT Risk Fundamentals Certificate covers the principles of IT risk management, the responsibilities and accountability for IT risk, how to build risk awareness and how to communicate risk.

Following on from this successful program Ramona Ratiu- MS, CISA, CISM, GSTRT, GCCC and I co-hosted a global student summit curated for ISACA 's rising digital trust professionals in October 2023 to tackle their challenges in advancing careers.

• Knowledge Sharing and Networking- I shared my thoughts through various mediums on #digitaltrust #digitalskillsdevelopment and how cybersecurity impacts Nigeria’s digital economy and creates a sustainable future. Links to some features below:
• Digital Trust: security and privacy concerns in Emerging Markets
• SANS Institute Wait an Infosec Podcast feat #STMIC Community
• Five Ways to Fund Your Information Technology Certifications Journey
• Four Mistakes to Avoid When Taking Your First Certification Exam

One article is definitely not enough to capture the nuances of 365 days, and I remain grateful for all opportunities provided to me.

Looking forward to creating and protecting value and all the experiences, lessons and gifts that 2024 will bring…cheers to a New Year filled with great success, health and happiness! #thecyberenvoy