I am thankful to the Information Security Society of Africa Nigeria (ISSAN) who have awarded me to help rising the Cybersecurity awareness in Nigeria. The Summit event was featured nearly in every newspaper and TV channel, and I am proud to be part of this success.
To see my other awards, click here
Information Security Society of Africa Nigeria
The Information Security Society of Africa – Nigeria (ISSAN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of Nigeria’s cyberspace. It plays a critical role in promoting information security awareness, advocating for relevant legislation, and encouraging best practices across various sectors.
Key objectives:
- Cybersecurity Advocacy: Champion the cause of information security and raise awareness about cyber threats and vulnerabilities in Nigeria.
- Capacity Building: Enhance the skills and knowledge of information security professionals through training programs, workshops, and seminars.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector organizations, and individuals, to address cybersecurity challenges collectively.
- Policy and Legislation: Advocate for the development and implementation of effective policies and legislation to combat cybercrime and protect critical infrastructure.
- Best Practices Promotion: Encourage the adoption of industry best practices and standards to enhance information security across various sectors.
Membership:
ISSAN’s membership comprises a diverse group of individuals and organizations, including:
- Banks
- Telecommunications operators
- Government agencies
- IT and IT security consultancies
- Legal practitioners
- Regulators
Activities and Initiatives:
ISSAN undertakes various activities and initiatives to achieve its objectives, such as:
- Organizing conferences, seminars, and workshops on cybersecurity topics.
- Conducting research and publishing reports on cybersecurity trends and challenges.
- Engaging with policymakers and legislators to advocate for effective cybersecurity policies.
- Collaborating with law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime.
- Providing training and certification programs for information security professionals.
Impact:
ISSAN plays a vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape. Through its various activities and initiatives, it contributes to:
- Raising awareness about cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.
- Enhancing the skills and knowledge of information security professionals.
- Promoting collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders.
- Advocating for effective policies and legislation.
- Encouraging the adoption of best practices and standards.
Overall, ISSAN is a key player in Nigeria’s efforts to combat cybercrime and protect its critical infrastructure. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and promoting information security best practices, it contributes to a safer and more secure digital environment for individuals, businesses, and government agencies in Nigeria.
CISO Insight
Recognition in cybersecurity carries the most weight when it comes from peers and institutions that understand the discipline deeply. The value of any award lies not in the trophy but in what it represents — a body of work that has genuinely contributed to advancing security practice, educating the community, or protecting organisations.
The Role of Industry Recognition in Cybersecurity
Industry awards serve several important functions in the cybersecurity ecosystem. For individuals, they validate expertise and sustained contribution. For organisations, they signal respected security leadership. For the profession, they highlight practitioners whose work others should learn from. The awards landscape ranges from highly credible peer-reviewed recognition to pay-to-play marketing exercises. CISOs should be discerning about which recognitions they pursue and how they evaluate others. The most meaningful come from communities that evaluate based on impact, technical depth, and sustained engagement rather than marketing spend.
Building a Lasting Professional Reputation
Awards are markers along a career journey, not destinations. The most respected security leaders build reputation through consistent contribution — writing, speaking, mentoring, contributing to open-source projects, and sharing lessons from both successes and failures. Professional recognition follows naturally from sustained effort. Practitioners who focus on genuine contribution rather than trophy collection build reputations that endure. The cybersecurity community is small enough that reputation based on real work spreads faster and lasts longer than any award certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a cybersecurity award credible?
Look for transparent evaluation criteria, peer-reviewed selection, and a track record of recognising genuine contributors. Awards from established communities like the Microsoft MVP programme, EC-Council Hall of Fame, or ISC2 carry more weight than vendor-sponsored awards with opaque selection processes.
How important are awards for CISO career progression?
Awards contribute to visibility and can open doors to advisory roles, speaking, and board positions. However, they supplement — not substitute for — demonstrated operational experience and leadership capability. Hiring managers value what you have built more than what you have been awarded.
Related reading: Visit our CISO Career Hub or explore the Become a CISO roadmap.