Nigerian Cloud Security Engineer Honoured for Redefining Trust in a Digital World
By Oladayo Nuel
For Nnennaya Halliday, in a world increasingly defined by data and digital interactions, trust has become the new currency. Trust was never been a buzzword, it has been the anchor of her career. That commitment was recognized on one of the biggest platforms in technology, as she received the Defender of Trust Award for ‘Building and Maintaining Information Security Confidence’ at the ATAEX Awards 2024. For Halliday, the award meant more than professional accolades. “This recognition means that the work we do in cybersecurity is being seen, valued, and trusted,” she said after receiving the honour. “For me, trust is everything. Without it, businesses cannot function, individuals cannot feel safe online, and innovation cannot thrive.”
For those who have followed her career, the award comes as no surprise. Her journey from a young graduate of Benson Idahosa University to a Master’s degree holder from the University of Cincinnati has been defined by a commitment to excellence. With over seven years of professional experience across enterprise administration, networking, and infrastructure management, Halliday has consistently proven herself as a pioneer in building secure IT environments that enhance business continuity and scalability. Her work has distinguished her as a talent in Nigeria’s evolving technology ecosystem. “I want young Nigerians to see that this is possible,” she explained. “We can compete globally in cybersecurity.”
Beyond her technical expertise, Halliday has distinguished herself as a thought leader, using her pen as effectively as her skills to shape conversations on digital inclusion. “Each of my papers came from real challenges I saw businesses and individuals facing every day,” Halliday explained. In her paper “Cybersecurity in the Era of Remote Work: Redefining Corporate Security Policies for Distributed Workforces” she dissected how the pandemic forced organisations into remote operations without adequate protections, leaving gaping holes in their defences. “It was because I watched organisations scramble during the pandemic, shifting without adequate safeguards. The breaches and vulnerabilities that surfaced were reminders that we cannot wait for a crisis before prioritising security. That piece was my way of sounding the alarm and urging companies to treat cybersecurity as part of their survival strategy, not as an afterthought,” she said.
Her forward-thinking approach is also evident in her work “Deception Detection in Online Networks with Behavioural Cues and Forensics,” where she explored how cybercriminals exploit human psychology and how forensic science could be applied to unmask deception online. “Technology alone cannot solve this problem,” she argued. “We must understand human behaviour if we want to stay ahead of fraudsters.”
The Defender of Trust Award cements Halliday’s place not just as an influencer shaping the narrative of Africa’s digital future. Halliday’s influence extends beyond boardrooms and security operations centres. Last year, she was recognised as one of the top one per cent mentors and contributors to Bonded by Tech, a pioneering initiative that has empowered over 5,000 Nigerian youths with in-demand technology skills in under two years. Her voice also carries a challenge for Africa’s policymakers and business leaders. “We cannot treat cybersecurity as an afterthought in Nigeria,” she insisted. “If we are serious about growth, then we must be serious about protecting our digital infrastructure.”
As she reflected on her award, Halliday was already looking ahead. “This is not the end,” she said with quiet conviction. “This is a challenge to do more—to keep building systems that inspire confidence, to mentor more women into this field, and to make sure Nigeria is not just catching up in cybersecurity, but leading. The future is digital, and if we want to be part of it, we must secure it.”
