Jamiu Akande: Advancing Cybersecurity Innovation and Leadership Across Global Enterprises
In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity has become the cornerstone of resilience for organizations across every sector. Few professionals embody this responsibility with as much dedication and impact as Jamiu Akande, CISSP, MSc, CEH—a seasoned Cyber Security Expert, Senior Security Engineer, and Leadership Coach with more than a decade of multi-disciplinary experience.
From securing networks in global enterprises to driving governance, risk, and compliance frameworks, Jamiu has consistently combined technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership skills to protect systems and empower teams. His journey reflects versatility across security engineering, SOC operations, DevSecOps, cloud security (Azure), and consultancy.
Beyond his corporate contributions, Jamiu is equally passionate about social impact and community empowerment. As Founder of OpenSource in Cybersecurity, he provides startups with free cybersecurity toolkits and guidance, ensuring innovation is not stifled by lack of resources. His leadership roles with the World Economic Forum’s Birmingham Global Shapers Hub and Toastmasters International further highlight his commitment to mentoring, coaching, and enabling the next generation of professionals.
Currently pursuing a PhD in Cybersecurity, Jamiu continues to balance academic advancement with practical expertise, ensuring his work remains at the cutting edge of global security needs.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE SNAPSHOT
| Role & Timeframe | Organization | Key Focus & Contributions |
| Cyber Security Engineer (Jan 2023 – Present) | RiverSafe | Delivering bespoke security engineering & consultancy projects; collaborating with DevOps and AppSec teams; ensuring compliance and best practices. |
| Founder (Jan 2022 – Present) | OpenSource in Cybersecurity | Leading nonprofit initiative providing free security toolkits & guidance to startups; advancing social impact in cybersecurity. |
| Cyber Security Instructor (Jan 2017 – Present) | CYPODLAB | Delivering technical training on SC-200, AZ-500, CISSP; mentoring aspiring cybersecurity professionals. |
| Co-Curator (Jul 2023 – Jul 2024) | Birmingham Global Shapers (WEF) | Directed community projects under the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers initiative. |
| Senior SOC Security Analyst (Oct 2021 – Jan 2023) | Acora (formerly Secrutiny) | Led SOC operations for global MSSP; managed EDR, SIEM, SOAR, UEBA, and other security solutions; trained junior analysts. |
| Cyber Security Consultant (Apr 2021 – Oct 2021) | CyberGate Technologies | Built enterprise ISMS; conducted GRC, SOC monitoring, incident response, threat intel, and pentesting. |
| Security Engineer (Nov 2020 – Apr 2021) | Walsall Manor Hospital (NHS) | Provided critical network & security engineering support during COVID-19 operations. |
| IT & Security Officer (Aug 2017 – Nov 2020) | Embassy of UAE, UK (Abuja Office) | Managed IT systems, visa processing infrastructure, and secured communications. |
| Network Engineer (2014 – 2017) | Suburban Fiber, Internet Solutions Nig. Ltd, CYPODadvisory | Designed & maintained enterprise networks; provided technical service delivery. |
| Web Developer (Freelance) (2010 – 2014) | Self-Employed | Designed and developed websites, building early expertise in IT and technology solutions. |
EDUCATION
- PhD (in view), Cybersecurity – Nasarawa State University (2025 – 2027)
- MSc, Cybersecurity – Birmingham City University (2020 – 2021)
- MicroMasters in Cybersecurity – Rochester Institute of Technology (2017)
- BSc, Mathematics – University of Ilorin (2011 – 2015)
CERTIFICATIONS (SELECTED)
- CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (2020)
- CEH – Certified Ethical Hacker (2018)
- Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) (2024)
- Microsoft Security Operations Analyst (SC-200) (2024)
- Splunk Enterprise Certified Architect, Admin, Advanced Power User (2023)
- Cisco CCNA (Routing & Switching) (2016)
- Akamai WAF & Fraud Management Certifications (2024–2025)
Jamiu Akande’s career is a powerful blend of technical mastery, community service, and thought leadership. His impact spans global enterprises, nonprofit initiatives, and academic research—all tied together by a vision of making cybersecurity more accessible, resilient, and future-ready.
As he continues his PhD research while serving as a Cyber Security Engineer at RiverSafe and leading OpenSource in Cybersecurity, Jamiu stands as a role model for professionals seeking to merge expertise with purpose. His journey shows that in cybersecurity, true leadership lies not only in securing systems but also in empowering people.
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lekanjava/
