Mariam Sanusi’s journey from Lagos, Nigeria, to becoming a globally recognized cybersecurity expert is a testament to her unwavering dedication, exceptional skills, and commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. Her recent recognition with the BAT Award of Excellence 2024 in the Cybersecurity category underscores her significant contributions to digital security and risk management across major international corporations, including American Airlines, Amazon Web Services, and Nigeria’s SystemSpecs. This prestigious award not only celebrates Sanusi’s individual accomplishments but also highlights the growing influence of African talent in the global technology landscape.
Sanusi’s career trajectory showcases a consistent pursuit of excellence, marked by continuous learning and a drive to tackle complex cybersecurity challenges. Her educational background, including a computer science degree from Caleb University in Nigeria and a master’s in cybersecurity from the University of Texas at Dallas, laid the foundation for her technical expertise. Further enhancing her skillset, she has acquired numerous professional certifications, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate and Certified in Cybersecurity, demonstrating her commitment to staying at the forefront of industry advancements and best practices.
Throughout her career, Sanusi has consistently demonstrated her ability to implement effective security strategies and mitigate risks in diverse and complex technological environments. At American Airlines, she played a critical role in strengthening access controls and minimizing vulnerabilities across major cloud platforms, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Her experience at Amazon Web Services during her internship involved developing scalable analytics systems and implementing automated vulnerability scanning, further solidifying her expertise in cloud security. Earlier in her career at SystemSpecs in Nigeria, she spearheaded in-depth security assessments and deployed automation tools, significantly reducing cyber threats by an impressive 90 percent. This early experience, as Sanusi herself acknowledges, instilled in her a resourcefulness that continues to inform her problem-solving approach.
Beyond her technical prowess, Sanusi’s commitment to mentoring and promoting gender equity in technology distinguishes her as a true leader and role model. She credits the WomenTechsters Cybersecurity Fellowship for launching her career and actively participates in mentoring initiatives through organizations like Women in CyberSecurity. Recognizing the importance of representation, Sanusi emphasizes the impact of seeing successful women in cybersecurity, which inspires and empowers younger generations to pursue careers in the field. Her advocacy underscores the vital role of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation and creating a more representative and equitable tech landscape.
Sanusi’s contributions extend beyond practical applications and mentorship to encompass cybersecurity research. Her publications focus on emerging technologies and cloud security innovations, further solidifying her position as a thought leader in the field. Driven by a vision to empower African tech professionals and influence global digital safety policies, Sanusi aims to leverage her platform to create opportunities for young talent and advocate for increased access and investment in the African tech ecosystem.
The BAT Award of Excellence serves as a powerful affirmation of Sanusi’s remarkable achievements and underscores her influence as a prominent figure in cybersecurity, both in Nigeria and internationally. Her story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the potential of African talent to contribute significantly to the global tech industry. Sanusi’s dedication to her craft, her commitment to mentorship, and her advocacy for a more diverse and inclusive tech world position her as a true leader and a beacon of hope for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, particularly young women in Africa and beyond. Her journey exemplifies the power of dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence in achieving global recognition and making a lasting impact on the world.
