Aviatrix wants to elevate the work of cloud networking heroes who labor to keep networks secure, effective, and performant. We’re proud to highlight people who have taught themselves the necessary skills, designed and managed successful networks, and have the expertise to share.
Our next hero spotlight is on Olufemi Owolabi, Cloud Security Engineer. See our previous hero spotlights here.
Background: A Fascination with How Information Travels
Olufemi Owolabi's passion for technology began over a decade ago with a hands-on computer engineering apprenticeship in 2012. He went on to study Telecommunication Engineering at the University of Ilorin.
“I was always fascinated by how information travels. In university, I even built a mobile tracking app for students and analysed poor network coverage using a spectrum analyser,” he said. During his studies, he also configured firewalls from Fortinet, Sophos, and Cisco as part of practical labs, an experience that would prove valuable later.
During university, Olufemi dove into the industry as a part-time job during holidays. He briefly worked at Maximum IT, where he designed and set up computer-based testing centres, before his first major role in IT as a Network Engineer. There, he was responsible for LAN/WAN setups, configuring Cisco routers and switches, and even mounting long-distance wireless links with Ubiquiti antennas. To validate and expand his skills, he earned certifications including Cisco’s CCNA, a VMware certification, ITIL v4, and eventually the Aviatrix Certified Engineer (ACE) program for multicloud networking.
A few years into his career, Olufemi transitioned into a Network Security & Infrastructure Engineer role at SimbaNET Nigeria, an ICT integration and connectivity solutions provider. In this position, he took on greater responsibility for protecting enterprise networks. He managed firewall configurations (across Fortinet, Cisco, and Sophos devices), maintained site-to-site VPNs connecting branch offices, and set up real-time monitoring to keep an eye on traffic across the company’s widespread network. It was a “trial by fire” that honed his security mindset.
One defining moment came when he led the response to a major network intrusion attempt that could have disrupted critical services. “Alerts were coming in fast, and the pressure was intense. I coordinated our team to isolate the threat and counter it in real time,” he said. Handling that crisis successfully was a turning point that boosted his confidence and ignited a deeper passion for cybersecurity.
Today, Olufemi works as a Cloud Security Engineer at a cutting-edge startup that provides an AI-driven digital platform for healthcare financing. In this role, he safeguards systems that handle sensitive patient health data and financial transactions.
In addition to his day job, Olufemi stays active in the professional community. He’s a member of the British Computer Society (MBCS), Internet Society, the IET, and is a registered IT Technician (RITTech). He’s also ventured into research, co-authoring two academic papers for IEEE on machine learning in intrusion detection and on penetration testing methods, a testament to his drive to keep growing and sharing knowledge.
The Network is the Cloud: Seamless Integration
When asked what “The Network is the Cloud” means to him, Olufemi explained that it underscores the seamless integration of networking and cloud computing. In practical terms, this concept means that networking is no longer an afterthought or separate silo; it’s fundamentally built into cloud architecture.
Cloud providers have made networks programmable and scalable in the same way compute and storage are, so networking has adopted cloud principles of agility and on-demand provisioning. Olufemi embraces this philosophy in his work by treating network architecture as an integral part of any cloud design. “The phrase ‘the network is the cloud’ also reminds me that a cloud without reliable networking isn’t a cloud at all, just as a network without cloud flexibility won’t meet modern needs,” he added.
Cloud Security: A New Frontier of Involvement
Transitioning from traditional on-premises environments to the cloud also changed Olufemi’s daily focus, especially when it comes to security. In earlier roles, security was often handled by a separate team or addressed after the network was up and running. “In the cloud, every networking decision is a security decision,” he noted. He explained how the stakes are higher and more immediate now: a misconfigured cloud network could expose services directly to the internet or leave data unprotected.
Because his company deals with both confidential health records and financial information, Olufemi works closely with colleagues in compliance and application teams to embed security into every layer of the cloud environment. Olufemi spends a lot of time up front on threat modelling, identity management strategies, and establishing guardrails (like policies and automated checks) so that security is “baked in from day one.” He points out that in cloud deployments, network architecture inherently includes components like security groups, NAT gateways, encryption, and monitoring, which means a network engineer is also doing security engineering. This increased collaboration has made him a better communicator and strategist.
One of the biggest challenges Olufemi faces in his current role is balancing rapid innovation with robust security in development. He has learned to be an enabler as much as an enforcer: by automating security checks and using tools like Azure Policy and Sentinel for continuous monitoring, he helps the team move fast safely.
The Intersection of Cybersecurity and Business
Another challenge in Olufemi’s career is staying ahead of ever-evolving threats. To overcome that, Olufemi takes an unconventional, broad-minded approach to his career growth. Rather than focusing solely on technical certifications, he pursued a master’s degree in International Business with Data Analytics at Ulster University in the UK – an unusual move for a technologist, but one that paid off. “I wanted to gain a global perspective and understand how business decisions are made,” he explained.
That decision gave him a holistic view of risk management and taught him to communicate security priorities in the language of business value. It shaped him into a more effective cloud security advocate who can articulate why a security measure matters for operations or reputation, not just how to implement it. By combining technical know-how with business insight, Olufemi has been able to propose creative solutions (for example, demonstrating how investing in better cloud firewall controls could reduce compliance audit costs down the line).
“Every challenge is an opportunity to innovate,” he said. “Sometimes the unusual path, like studying business analytics as an engineer, gives you exactly the perspective you need to solve a tough problem in tech.”
Outside of Work
Outside of work, you can often find Olufemi engaging in tech communities and personal projects. He enjoys mentoring aspiring IT professionals by volunteering time to answer questions and sharing advice on online forums and local meetups.
In 2025, he was invited to serve as a judge for the Technology Innovation Challenge at the University of Ilorin, where he evaluated student-led engineering and cybersecurity projects, returning to the institution where his journey in tech began. That same year, he was selected as a global industry judge for Technovation Girls, a California-based initiative empowering young girls around the world to develop apps that address community challenges. "Being part of these programs was a full-circle moment for me. I saw myself in those students, passionate, curious, and just looking for someone to believe in them," he said.
Olufemi is also involved in philanthropic work aimed at increasing educational access for children in underserved communities in Nigeria. He supports initiatives focused on providing school supplies, digital learning tools, and scholarships for children living in urban slums. “Technology opened doors for me, and I want to help make sure more kids get the same chance,” he said.
Olufemi finds relaxation in music. He’s an avid listener of Afrobeats and R&B. To stay active, he enjoys weekend football (soccer) matches with friends, which provides a great stress relief and team-building experience outside the office.
Curious about other cloud networking heroes like Olufemi?
We’ll keep highlighting networking professionals on this blog.
Learn more about the Cloud Networking Heroes program on The Cloud Network Community.
