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 Tchimwa C. Sougang, Cloud Network Engineer. See our previous hero spotlights here.
Background: From Electronics to Cloud Network Architecture
Tchimwa did not set out to become a Network Engineer. “I attended a technical high school specializing in electronics, where I excelled,” he said. “However, growing up in Cameroon, the opportunities in electronics were limited and lacked long-term prospects. As a result, I decided to pursue Network Administration in college without fully understanding what I was stepping into. But God had a plan, and I quickly discovered a true passion for networking.”
He began his professional career in 2011, right after earning his Bachelor’s degree in Network Engineering. He started as a Systems Engineer at an MSP in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where he worked primarily with Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Lync, and SharePoint. In 2012, he dove into hands-on networking projects involving 3-tier network architecture, spanning-tree protocol, routing, WiMAX, and WAN technologies, cementing his love for the field.
In 2013, he moved to the United States, worked, and studied English. He describes a “life-changing moment” in January 2015 when a man named Michael Lindley offered him a dream job in an IT department as a Network/System Engineer. In that role, he led the full rebuild of a branch of the company’s network from a mostly Layer 2 environment to a more scalable infrastructure with WAN connectivity to six other branches and full Wi-Fi coverage. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Network Administration in 2019. In subsequent roles, he implemented a Wi-Fi network using Ekahau and Meraki Access Points.
Tchimwa then joined a cloud service provider in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, alongside that role, he co-founded a consulting firm with close friends. “We offer cloud network architecture services and support to small and medium-sized businesses,” he explained.
The Evolution of Networking and the Next Ten Years
Like other Cloud Networking Heroes, Tchimwa has seen massive shifts throughout his career. “When I began my career, networking was largely hardware-driven and manually configured—focused on physical infrastructure, traditional routing, and on-prem systems,” he explained. “Troubleshooting often required on-site presence, and scalability was limited by physical constraints. Over time, I’ve seen networking transform through virtualization, automation, and the rise of software-defined networking (SDN). The shift to cloud has accelerated this evolution, bringing about programmable infrastructure, integrated security, and a DevOps-centric approach to network management.”
Looking ahead, he foresees cloud networking becoming more “intelligent, automated, and resilient”:
AI and machine learning will enable predictive monitoring, anomaly detection, and self-healing capabilities.
Hybrid and multicloud architectures will become standard, with seamless policy enforcement and end-to-end observability.
Security will be embedded at every layer, driven by zero-trust principles and tighter identity controls.
Ultimately, networking will continue to move further into the background—automated, adaptive, and aligned closely with business and application needs.
Security in the Cloud: Every Architectural Choice Carries Security Implications
Since moving to the cloud world, Tchimwa has become more involved in security conversations. “In the cloud, networking and security are inseparable—every architectural choice carries security implications,” he said. “Cloud adoption introduces new risks: expanded attack surfaces, shared responsibility models, and constantly evolving infrastructure.”
Cloud architecture decisions have changed as a result. “Security must be proactive, identity-driven, and policy-based, not reactive,” he explained. “Cloud-native architectures demand built-in security from the start, using tools like network security groups, private endpoints, firewalls, network segmentation, and zero-trust models. The speed and scale of the cloud require continuous, automated security to stay ahead of threats.”
Cost Control: Start with Planning and Visibility
Tchimwa offered some advice to fellow networking professionals who struggle with a common issue: cost control. “Cost control in the cloud starts with planning and visibility,” he said. “Unlike on-prem environments, cloud networking can incur hidden or dynamic charges—like data egress, peering, VPN gateways, or misconfigured load balancers.”
He shared some tips:
Optimize data flows to reduce unnecessary traffic, use automation and policies to prevent misconfigurations.
Leverage tools like Azure Cost Management for visibility.
Take advantage of reserved capacity and continuously right-size resources through regular audits.
“Cost efficiency is less about cutting corners and more about starting from smart architecture, proactive monitoring, and ongoing optimization and adapting quickly,” he said. “So my advice is to treat cost as a design consideration, not an afterthought.”
Outside of Work
Outside of work, Tchimwa enjoys building labs and diving into financial literacy videos. “My weekends are packed with soccer practice and basketball games, watching some French shows with my wife, but the highlight is always building LEGOs with my son—it’s what I love most,” he said.
Curious about other cloud networking heroes like Tchimwa?
We’ll keep highlighting networking professionals on this blog.
Learn more about the Cloud Networking Heroes program on The Cloud Network Community.
