Chinedu Onwukike Honoured with Crest Africa Award for Excellence in Technology and Security Leadership

By Tolulope Oke

In a world where digital threats are constant and ever-changing, only a few people can see the dangers before they happen and create solutions that keep businesses and communities safe. Chinedu Onwukike, Senior Security Engineer at Amazon, is one of those people. His innovative work and leadership in cybersecurity earned him the prestigious Crest Africa Award for Excellence in Technology and Security Leadership in July 2024. This recognition celebrates his role in protecting critical systems and shaping the future of security across industries.

With more than ten years of experience in offensive security, red teaming, and cyber resilience, Chinedu has become one of Africa’s most respected experts in digital security. At Amazon, he leads security operations for healthcare, e-commerce, and cloud platforms, helping some of the world’s most complex networks remain safe from cyber attacks.

Chinedu is known for his ability to simplify complex security challenges and turn them into clear, actionable strategies. Many of the teams he works with admire his calm approach to problem solving and his ability to create solutions that fit both technical and business needs. His leadership style focuses on clarity, teamwork, and long-term protection, which has made him a trusted voice in the cybersecurity community.

Chinedu has also developed a new approach to protecting essential industries such as power, water, and manufacturing through Zero Trust Architecture for Operational Technology and Industrial Control Systems. His system focuses on careful verification, monitoring, and segmenting networks to prevent attacks and reduce risks.

Reflecting on his career, Chinedu said, “Security is not just about technology. It is about understanding people and systems and making sure they can withstand threats. Every day brings a new challenge, and I am determined to stay ahead of them.”

Chinedu studied at the University of Bristol, earning a Master’s in Advanced Computing with a focus on Internet Technologies and Security. Before Amazon, he worked with IBM Canada, Canada Life, First Bank of Nigeria, and Deloitte. In each role, he built security programs, introduced threat intelligence labs, and trained new cybersecurity professionals. His work consistently helped organisations reduce risks and respond to threats more effectively.

Chinedu has also earned international recognition. He was a finalist at the Global Cyberlympics in 2015 and 2018 and won the Nigerian Cyber Security Challenge in 2016. He holds multiple certifications including CRTE, CRTP, PACES, and CEH.

Speaking about the award, Chinedu said, “This recognition is a great honor. It reminds me that the work we do in cybersecurity protects people and businesses around the world. It inspires me to keep improving and to help train the next generation of leaders.”

A colleague at Amazon added, “Chinedu does not only protect systems, he teaches others to think about security in new ways. His work has changed how our teams approach cybersecurity.”

Chinedu is passionate about building security systems that are strong and adaptable. He believes that as threats change, solutions must also evolve. The Crest Africa Award is a recognition of his dedication, innovation, and lasting impact on technology and security in Africa and beyond.