FatimahLovesCyber Fatimah Adelodun

I am so thrilled to welcome THE Confidence Staveley to this week's discussion.

Known as the most celebrated and recognized female leader in the African cybersecurity space, Confidence is a multiple award-winner. She is the founder and Executive Director of CyberSafe foundation and an official member of the Forbes Technology Council.

So join the chat as Confidence and I share thoughts on the significance and value of cybersecurity in Africa today.

Key Points:

❖ Confidence gives a brief but wholesome introduction about
herself [01:06]

❖ "Africa is taking technology in without cybersecurity
and that's like putting a 12-year-old in a Mercedes without showing him the brakes" says Confidence as she speaks about the
importance of cyber security in the 21st century. [03:58]

❖ Confidence gives a rating on the statistics of cyber talents in Africa. [07:41]

❖ Story-time: Confidence narrates how and why she started
CyberSafe . [14:58]

❖ We talk about the deficit of cyber talents in Africa due
to the current "Japa" trend, more prominent in
Nigeria. [24:53]

❖ "Both sides bring value" Confidence posits, giving
an interesting take on the Experience vs Certification debate. [29:31]

❖ Confidence gives candid advice to newbies interested in

joining the cyber community. [33:17]

❖ Bonus Question: What would you be doing if it wasn't cyber
security? [41:49]

❖ Confidence gives a closing note by sharing her personal
mantra. [45:50]

Index: Nigerian slang/words used

• Japa- to "flee”. This is a current trend where Africans leave their home country to first world countries for better lives and opportunities.

• Amala- Yam/Cassava-flour meal

 

Press play to listen to the thrilling conversation

Connect with my guest, Confidence Stavely on Linkedin @Confidence Staveley; Twitter @sisinerdtweets;
https://cybersafefoundation.org

Connect with me on LinkedIn @Fatimah Adelodun.

 

 

Conversing with me on today's episode is Sherifat Akinwonmi, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) and Certified Lead Implementer of ISO27001.

She has always worn the garment of excellence, and mentors cyberspace women on the same path. Join us as we measure the deficits of cyber security talents in Africa.

Key Points 


Who is Sherifat Akinwonmi? [01:06]




"Cyber security is our life right now" We discuss how important cyber security is in our generation [04:38]




Sherifat walks us through a new perspective to the underlying issues facing the placement and availability of cyber security talents in Africa [ 07:55] 




We both share our thoughts on the migration of talents to world-class countries for better opportunities [12:25]




At this juncture, we tackle possible solutions to the talent gap and talent shortage currently plaguing the continent [17:17]




Sherifat gives her take on the "Certification vs Experience" debate [23:00]




She shares amazing wisdom nuggets for ready-to-learn newbies in the cyberspace [26:20]




[Fun Question] What would you have been doing if not for cyber security?[31:04]




Sherifat wraps up the conversation beautifully [31:57]



Index - Nigerian Slangs Used

We move- Forging ahead regardless of the situation

No beans- Isn't easy

Recommended Materials for Newbies in the Cyber Security Space

ISESpray- Certified in Cyber Security

CompTIA Security Plplus



Press play to listen to the thrilling conversation

Connect with my guest, Sherifat Akinwonmi on Linkedin @Sherifat Akinwonmi 

Connect with me on LinkedIn @Fatimah Adelodun 

Today I will be having a conversation with Kenneth  Ellington, a Senior cybersecurity consultant at Ernst and Young. He specializes in SIEM and SOAR technologies such as Splunk. He is the Founder of Ellington Cyber Academy, an e-learning platform that trains people on the use of various SIEM and SOAR technologies in an effort to help them transition or upskill in their careers.

Key Points


We speak on the general importance of cybersecurity even to an everyday person. [03:21-04:08]


Kenneth gives a rating on the cybersecurity talent landscape deficit. [05:41] 


We speak on the global exportation of cybersecurity talents from off the shores of Africa to other countries. [08:04]


Kenneth tells us an interesting background story about his organization. [09:17]


We share ideas on how the cybersecurity deficit can be addressed. [15:02]


Kenneth shares his opinion on the “Certificate versus Experience” debate. [17:18]


Another dose of advice for beginners launching  into cyberspace [20:37]


“What field would you be in if you weren’t in the cybersecurity field?” Listen to Kenneth’s interesting response to this question. [24:56]


Kenneth showers some inspiring words to keep you moving in cyberspace. [28:15] 



Press play to listen to the conversation

Connect with my guest, Kenneth Ellington: 

LinkedIn @Kenneth Ellington

Twitter @KennethElling31

Ellington Cyber Academy: https://kenneth-ellington-s-school.teachable.com/p/home

Connect with me on LinkedIn @Fatimah Adelodun

I had a really time talking with Iretioluwa  Akerele, a Cybersecurity Professional with ears of experience in Information Security, Data Privacy, Regulatory Compliance, Implementation of Security Controls and Risk Governance. Ireti is the founder of Cybarik, a cybersecurity consulting firm that improves cybersecurity skills and talents of the employable market through intense and accredited training. Ireti also co-founded Cyblack, an organization that helps African cybersecurity students in Europe to network, learn and build strong foundations in the field 

 

Key Points 


As a  woman in cyber who wears many hats, Ireti reveals how she handles the pressure and keeps herself from being burned out [02:57] 




“We are not there yet”....  Ireti gives us her rating on the landscape of cybersecurity talent space made available in Africa. [07:56] 




Ireti gives us a peek through the curtain of how and why she started Cyblack.  [09:57]




Ireti shares profound solutions to building and retaining cybersecurity talents to prevent the adverse effects of brain drain in the country. Some of such includes adequate rewards and discarding the habit whereby employers set unrealistic criteria in job listings that scare possible applicants away. [16:46-24:13]




Ireti gives a rather interesting take on the  “Certificate versus Experience” debate  [25:22] 




As always, I asked her to drop encouraging words for newbies and those still thinking about delving into Cybersecurity. [30:21]




A fun bonus question! [38:47]




We close with more encouraging words from Ireti. [40:24] 



Press play to listen to the thrilling conversation

Connect with my guest, Iretioluwa Akerele on social media:

Linkedin: @Iretioluwa Akerele | Twitter: @ireteeh

Connect with me on LinkedIn @Fatimah Adelodun 

Today, I converse with Gbolabo Awelewa; a tech management strategist and cybersecurity specialist with over a decade’s experience in the design, development and management of secure information systems and enterprise infrastructure. Gbolabo is currently the CTO and Country Manager of Infoprive Group.  

Key Points


We kick off with the evolution and importance of cybersecurity in Africa. Gbolabo sums up his take in these precise words; “You have to have a plan to protect your assets…intellectual property…customer details…transactions online…there just has to be some level of investment in cybersecurity for everything you need to do today.” [03:04]


Gbolabo and I exchange thoughts on the ongoing "Certification vs. Experience" debate in the cybersecurity sector. Gbolabo shares funny stories from his experience with recruiting talents. [17:05] 


Gbolabo gives tips to newbies seeking to pivot into the cyber security space. [26:00]


Gbolabo hammers on the importance of mentorship, the role mentees have to play in their mentorship success, and how to reach mentors in the cyber security space. He also mentions a fun and helpful fact here. [34:22]


Of course, I don’t miss out on asking the bonus fun question: What would you be doing if you weren’t in the cyber security space? Gbolabo definitely surprises me with his response to this. [39:26]



Press play to listen to the conversation 

Connect with my guest Gbolabo Awelewa on Linkedin @Gbolabo Awelewa

Connect with me on LinkedIn @Fatimah Adelodun 

WE ARE LIVE! 

Welcome to the Fatimah Loves Cyber podcast, season 2! 

In the first episode of my second season, I am honored and excited to have as my guest, Dr Muktar Bello, a cybersecurity forensics expert, and lecturer at the University of Salford.

Fun Fact: Dr. Bello is, amongst these other amazing accolades, listed as a professional member of the British Computer Society (BCS), UK Academy for Information Systems (UKAIS), and Association of Crime and Intelligence Analysts (ACIA).


He highlights some of these progressive steps such as how Rwanda and Kenya have found remarkable ways to bring technology and advancement into agriculture; how universities are adopting STEM courses into their curriculum; how African economies can unite to cater to digital rights, privacy, and more. 

Below are some interesting highlights of our conversation.



Key Points 




We discuss the importance of cyber security in Africa today. [03:54]


We share our takes on the mass migration of cybersecurity talents from Nigeria [12:12]


Dr. Bello gives us a broader perspective of one of the toughest problems facing cybersecurity in Africa today. [17:49]


Dr. Bello shares his insight on the popular debate “Certification vs. Experience” [22:23]


“Wherever you find yourself, start somewhere, especially your area of interest” Dr. Bello gives a dose of advice to those waiting to join the cyber security space.[25:40]


A bonus fun question: “If you weren’t in tech, what other sector would you be in?” Find out Dr. Bello’s apt response to this! [30:08]



Tune in to listen to Dr. Bello share from his well of wisdom.

Connect with Dr. Bello on LinkedIn @Dr. Muktar Bello

Connect with me on LinkedIn @Fatimah Adelodun