Confidence Staveley is the founder and executive director of Cybersafe Foundation, who is on a mission to revolutionize the digital landscape of Africa through digital access and safety across the continent. Her leading non-governmental organization concerns itself with facilitating pockets of change that ensure inclusive and safe digital access in Africa. Staveley’s journey is not just about technology; it’s about empowerment, resilience, and a vision for a more inclusive digital future.
Staveley’s passion for digital inclusivity, evident in the spaces she occupies, is making an impact in twenty-two African countries and counting by training over sixteen thousand girls and women, and over four thousand SMEs. She believes technology should be a universal right, especially for the most vulnerable communities. Her philosophy is clear: more than access to technology; people must be armed with the knowledge and tools to navigate the cyber world safely.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were several challenges faced in many industries, including the world of cybersecurity. Understanding the urgency surrounding this, Staveley led CyberSafe’s groundbreaking collaboration with the UK Government. In an effort to bridge the digital skills gender gap and empower women and girls in Nigeria, the UK Government, in partnership with Cybersafe Foundation, launched the Digital Access Program. This program aimed to provide over 2000 women and girls with access to intermediate digital skills, soft skills, and cybersecurity training. The partnership championed an innovative cybersecurity intervention at a critical time when cyber threats were escalating. The highlight of this collaboration was Africa’s first Afro-beats cybersecurity awareness song. A creative endeavor that wasn’t just a catchy song, but a powerful educational tool that resonated with over 10 million Nigerians, spreading vital information on cybersecurity hygiene.
Staveley’s efforts have not only raised awareness globally but have also sparked a movement and her work represents the importance of digital awareness and the proactive steps needed to combat cyber threats. Through the CyberSafe Foundation, she is creating a safer digital environment, ensuring that Africans are not left behind in the digital revolution.
As we look to the future, Confidence Staveley’s vision is one of relentless drive and more innovative approaches to transforming lives, one digital step at a time. In a world where technology is the backbone of progress, Staveley’s work reminds us that true digital progress in the world is inclusive, informed, and safe. Read our Q&A with our cover personality for the month and be inspired.
Confidence, we don’t come across many women in your field every day. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your upbringing?
I often describe myself as the relatable cybersecurity leader because I have a gift for explaining complex cyber issues in a very easy-to-understand way, to audiences of all types. I am also a multi-award-winning best-selling author of API Security For White Hat Hackers, who is very passionate about driving gender inclusion in cybersecurity and tech as a whole. My work has earned me so much recognition nationally, continental, and globally.
I am the first child of my parents. I was born into a family I often describe as rich in values. My parents could give anything for my education. My father adored me and would often look at me with sooo much pride in his eyes. I remember on one occasion when I was seven years old, had just won an essay writing competition, and had returned home to my father, who greeted me at the door with a warm hug. He looked at me and said, “My daughter, in you, I have ten sons,” he said as I ran into his loving arms. As a young African girl who wasn’t yet aware of the perceived superiority of boys over girls in Africa, I didn’t fully understand exactly what my father meant….. A few years later, it made more sense to me.
Years later, I overheard him say the same thing when defending his stance to somebody about why he let me do “computer,” which according to the person he was speaking to, is what boys do. There was not a single visible example of a woman working in technology that we were aware of. After making a heartfelt presentation to my parents, they permitted me to chase my dreams, how brave of them!
What was the driving force behind your decision to pursue a career in cybersecurity and technology?
On pursuing a career in technology, it was never in my plan. My parents had sold the idea of being a medical doctor for so long that I thought it was my dream. However, I took a study break after my secondary education as advised by my parents, before going off to university where I was set to study medicine. It was during this period, my parents advised me to enroll in a computer school in order to avoid idleness. It was in the course of these lessons that I learned how to program in many languages including Java, C, C#, etc, and fell in love with computers and consequently changed my mind about becoming a medical doctor.
I convinced my parents to let me pursue a career in technology and went on to study for an advanced diploma in software engineering. After that, I studied information technology (IT) and business information systems at Middlesex University, where I graduated with a first-class degree. It was during my master’s degree at the University of Bradford where I was studying IT management, that I encountered cybersecurity. During my M.Sc., I was reviewing the course options I had to pick for my electives, and I wanted something challenging. So, I picked cryptography. Which turned out to be challenging enough to pull me into the rabbit hole of cybersecurity. I loved the field of cybersecurity so much that I got my cryptography lecturer to be my mentor and started self-learning and growing my skills till I landed my first opportunity to work in the industry. The rest like they say, is history.
What unique challenges have you faced as a leading female voice in the African technological space, and how have you overcome them?
I look at most of the challenges I face as good problems. One of them is that our society has created boxes and somehow created stereotypes about how women in male-dominated fields should look and behave to be taken seriously and be perceived as knowledgeable. Interestingly, some of us do not fit into those boxes. This also means that people often underestimate my technical capabilities. I call this a good problem because people who are underestimated but skilled will always over-perform. My focus has always been to shut out the noise and ensure that my talent is undeniable. There is no bone of mediocrity in me, only excellence.
To be honest, there are lots of challenges I have faced but I have chosen to always look at them from a positive lens and drown out the negativity, so I don’t fall into a perpetual victim state. Every day, I strive to amplify my purpose, by sharing my knowledge and showcasing what is achievable through dedication and action.
You also have experience in different sectors namely consulting, education, banking, and government; how have these shaped your approach to cybersecurity?
My varied experiences have given me a very comprehensive perspective on cybersecurity. Each sector comes with its unique challenges and priorities, really shaping my approach.
In consulting, I learned the importance of adaptability and the ability to quickly understand and address the specific needs of various clients. This taught me how to tailor cybersecurity solutions to fit different organizational cultures and operational requirements. It also highlighted the necessity of clear communication and the ability to convey complex security concepts to stakeholders at all levels. Working in education helped hone my ability to train people.
Overall, these diverse experiences have equipped me with a holistic understanding of cybersecurity.
How do your entrepreneurial ventures complement your work in cybersecurity?
My entrepreneurial ventures are in cybersecurity so it’s all aligned. I run a cybersecurity business and a cybersecurity non-profit organization. My cybersecurity business, MerkleFence, provides application security consulting services. Through my business, I have helped many organizations securely innovate and deliver services through the applications we use today. While my non-profit organization, CyberSafe Foundation, drives safe and inclusive access to digital through our programs. Through programs like the CyberGirls Fellowship, which is Africa’s largest Cybersecurity Training and Mentorship Program for young women, we are helping women start a career in cybersecurity. We achieve this by first providing our fellows with the requisite infrastructure (like data subscriptions, electricity, etc.), and digital tools (laptops, learning platform vouchers, etc.), free of charge. Secondly, we provide a disruptive educational model, with free, quality cybersecurity training in a supportive community built by women, for women.
To date, we have directly educated approximately 1500 young women across 27 African countries in our four cohorts. Many of whom secure high-paying cyber roles within 3-8 months after graduating and experience on average, up to a 400% increase in income. The CyberGirls Fellowship program has been featured in the World Bank practitioner note of 2023, as a model program that needs to be scaled.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the cybersecurity field?
It’s a very challenging field but the people who are here don’t have two heads, which means you can do it too. You’ll particularly enjoy it here if you enjoy solving problems and continuous learning. You truly must be passionate about the field of cybersecurity to be able to put in months or even years of work to gain the knowledge required to break in and stay.
Believe in Yourself! Confidence is key (pun intended). Trust in your abilities and don’t let doubts hold you back. Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field. Stay curious and committed to continuous learning, which will keep you thriving and fresh.
Network actively because building and nurturing a professional network is key to your success. Attend industry conferences, join cybersecurity communities especially those created to support women, and participate in online forums.
I will also say, please don’t skip the foundation, spend time gaining a solid understanding of the fundamentals. A strong technical foundation will serve as a strong base for your career. Finally, Don’t shy away from difficult tasks, embrace challenges. Embrace them as opportunities to learn and grow because this will hone your problem-solving skills.
Can you share a particularly memorable moment or achievement from your career that stands out to you?
I have several beautiful memories in my career that stand out. Permit me to share two instead of one. Last year, I won the Cybersecurity Woman of the World award, regarded as the most prestigious global award for women in cybersecurity, with nominees hailing from 160 women in cyber associations worldwide. Of these 160 women, I was named among 20 finalists and there could only be one winner. As I made my way to The Ardoe Castle in Scotland where the event was hosted, I couldn’t see a world where I could win this award, so I simply attended to network with all the amazing global superstars who were also finalists.
All finalists were to be honored by British Royal Marines with a letter of recognition on stage. The first 10 names were called and my name wasn’t among them, and then the 5 were called and my name wasn’t among them. It was in that moment of being among the last 5 names of finalists not yet announced that I first thought I stood a chance. When 19 names had been called and I was still yet to hear mine, I knew I had won but I still wasn’t ready for the moment. I was gobsmacked and my name ran across the room and a hall packed full of marines, cybersecurity leaders and everyone in attendance stood clapping and patiently waiting for me to make my way to the stage, with shaky hands.
The most recent memory of an achievement is the moment my book became an Amazon best-seller, 3 weeks before the book’s release date. I was blown away
What future trends in cybersecurity excite you, and what are you most looking forward to in the near future?
I am keen to see how emerging technologies like Artificial General Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and blockchain technology will shape and shake things up in the field of cybersecurity.
Connect with Her;
https://instagram.com/sisinerd/
http://x.com/sisinerdtweets
http://linkedin.com/in/confidencestaveley/
