Meet the 22-Year-Old Kenyan Breaking Barriers in African Cybersecurity

Stacy Alwanga's path to cybersecurity was unexpected, diverging from her family's medical background and her initial interests in engineering and medicine.

Now 22 and working as a cybersecurity engineer at CyberGuard Africa, Alwanga has found her calling in system security and guiding the next generation of women in technology. Alwanga began her cybersecurity education through self-directed study, utilizing online resources such as YouTube coding tutorials. As she explored the realms of hacking and system defence, her curiosity grew, particularly regarding the prevention of hacker-induced damage. This interest propelled her into cybersecurity, a field she has embraced wholeheartedly. Mentorship has become a cornerstone of Alwanga's professional ethos.

She views it as both a catalyst for her own growth and an opportunity to contribute to others' development. Alwanga offers mentorship primarily through AfricaHackon, a community dedicated to cybersecurity excellence in Africa. She chose this platform after benefiting from it herself, transitioning from mentee to mentor as she progressed in her field. Her mentorship efforts focus on school-age children, aiming to introduce them to technology at an early stage through school visits and awareness programs. Alwanga's mentorship approach emphasizes the nature of cybersecurity, moving beyond the common misconception that it solely involves hacking.

She strives to inspire young women by highlighting the field's broader scope, which encompasses system defence and data protection. Her mentors, experienced professionals themselves, have provided her with practical insights that complement theoretical knowledge, a perspective she now imparts to her own mentees. Encouraging hands-on experience is a key aspect of Alwanga's mentorship strategy. She advocates for personal projects, believing that practical application is essential in cybersecurity. Alwanga acknowledges the field's challenges, preparing her mentees for potential setbacks and emphasizing resilience in problem-solving.

Her efforts have already shown promise with one mentee overcoming initial apprehensions to develop a strong foundation in cybersecurity and pursue independent projects. Alwanga's own mentors, including Fraizer Kilonzo and Dr Bright Gameli from CyberGuard Africa, have provided not only technical expertise but also guidance on strategic thinking and problem-solving approaches. This comprehensive mentorship has reinforced Alwanga's commitment to the practice.

Through her involvement with AfricaHackon, Alwanga has expanded her influence, participating in various cybersecurity events and conferences across Africa. Beyond mentorship, Alwanga contributes to the development of cybersecurity policies and frameworks aimed at strengthening digital security measures across the continent. She collaborates with other experts to create guidelines that assist organizations in protecting their digital assets and responding effectively to cyber threats, thus helping to shape a more secure digital landscape in Africa.