Cybersecurity goes beyond protecting computers from hackers and online attacks. It involves the people developing security solutions, investigating digital threats, protecting financial systems and educating the public about online safety.
As the world marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, we spotlight eight women contributing to a safer digital environment through their work in cybersecurity leadership, threat intelligence, banking security, internet infrastructure and digital education.
The National Cybersecurity Alliance recognises October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an initiative dedicated to promoting online safety and helping individuals and organisations protect themselves against cybercrime.
Across Nigeria and the global technology industry, these women are making contributions that highlight the importance of expertise, leadership and awareness in building a more secure digital world.
1. Confidence Staveley – Founder, CyberSafe Foundation
Confidence Staveley has dedicated 15 years to advancing cybersecurity awareness and digital inclusion. Through her organisation, CyberSafe Foundation, she promotes online safety education and creates opportunities for women and girls to develop cybersecurity skills. Her work focuses on helping individuals recognise digital threats, avoid online scams and build safer internet habits.
2. Michelle Zatlyn – Co-founder and President, Cloudflare
Michelle Zatlyn co-founded Cloudflare in 2009, helping build a company that provides internet infrastructure and security services. Its technology supports website protection, traffic management and defence against cyberattacks. Her leadership highlights the importance of building reliable and resilient systems that keep digital services accessible and secure.
3. Patricia Eromosele – President, WiCyS Nigeria Affiliate
With over 18 years of experience in IT, data protection and governance, Patricia Eromosele is an advocate for stronger cybersecurity practices. She leads the Women in CyberSecurity Nigeria Affiliate, serves as CEO of Cyber Astridia and directs the Africa Chapter of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance. Her work promotes digital trust, professional development and greater awareness of online scams.
4. Sandra Joyce – Vice President, Google Threat Intelligence Group
Sandra Joyce works in cyber threat intelligence, helping organisations understand and respond to emerging digital threats. Her role involves the analysis of cybercriminal activities, attack methods and malicious software. Through this work, she contributes to helping businesses identify potential risks and strengthen their security strategies.
5. Nkiruka Joy Aimienoho – Chief Information Security Officer, Standard Chartered Bank
Nkiruka Joy Aimienoho has 16 years of experience in information security, technology and organisational resilience. She serves as CISO for Standard Chartered Bank across Nigeria, Botswana, Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire. Her career includes roles at MTN Nigeria, Digital Jewels Africa and PwC, where she developed expertise in information security, IT standards and cybersecurity consulting.
6. Vasu Jakkal – Former Corporate Vice President, Microsoft
Vasu Jakkal has more than two decades of experience in technology and cybersecurity leadership. At Microsoft, she held senior responsibilities across security, compliance, identity, management and privacy. She now serves as Chief Strategy and Business Officer at Armadin, where her work focuses on advancing preventive security for the emerging agentic technology landscape.
7. Favour Femi-Oyewole – Group Chief Information Security Officer, Access Bank
Favour Femi-Oyewole serves as Group CISO and Data Protection Officer at Access Bank Plc. Her experience covers information security, enterprise risk management, data protection and business continuity. Before joining the bank, she worked at the Nigerian Stock Exchange as Group Head of Enterprise Risk Management, overseeing areas that included information security and business continuity.
8. Eva Chen – Co-founder and CEO, Trend Micro
Eva Chen co-founded Trend Micro in 1988 and became its CEO in 2004. The company develops cybersecurity solutions for individuals and organisations, covering areas such as endpoint protection, cloud security and threat defence. Her career reflects the growth of cybersecurity into an essential part of modern technology and the continuous need to address emerging digital threats.
