Nigerian cybersecurity expert Mariam Sanusi has been honoured with the BAT Award of Excellence 2024 in the Cybersecurity category, recognising her outstanding contributions to digital security and risk management across global enterprises.
Currently based in the United States, Sanusi has built a distinguished career working with leading organisations such as American Airlines, Amazon Web Services, and Nigeria’s SystemSpecs. Her efforts have significantly reduced cyber threats and enhanced regulatory compliance in complex cloud environments.
“I am humbled to receive this award,” Sanusi said in an interview with PUNCH. “It shows that Nigerians can not only compete but also lead in the global technology space.”
A native of Lagos, Sanusi holds a computer science degree from Caleb University and a master’s in cybersecurity from the University of Texas at Dallas. She has earned several professional certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate and Certified in Cybersecurity.
At American Airlines, Sanusi played a key role in strengthening access controls and mitigating risks across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms.
She also completed an internship at AWS, where she developed scalable analytics systems and implemented automated vulnerability scanning.
Earlier in her career at SystemSpecs in Nigeria, she led in-depth security assessments and deployed automation tools that reportedly cut cyber threats by 90 per cent.
Reflecting on her early experience, Sanusi said, “Working in Nigeria taught me resourcefulness, which still guides my approach today.”
Beyond her technical work, Sanusi is an advocate for gender equity and inclusion in technology.
She credited the WomenTechsters Cybersecurity Fellowship for launching her career and remains actively involved in mentoring through organisations like Women in CyberSecurity.
“Representation matters,” she said. “When young women see others like them succeeding in cybersecurity, it makes the path feel achievable.”
Sanusi has also contributed to cybersecurity research with publications focused on emerging technologies and cloud security innovations. She hopes to use her platform to mentor young African tech professionals and influence global digital safety policies.
“Africa has immense talent; we need access and investment to unlock it,” she said. “This award is not just mine; it’s a win for every young African woman dreaming of making a mark in technology.”
The BAT Award of Excellence, which celebrates exceptional achievements in business and technology, highlights Sanusi’s role as a leading figure in cybersecurity both in Nigeria and internationally.
