Technological advancements bring advantages and challenges, especially in cybersecurity, where cyber threats have evolved significantly over time.
What started as manageable computer viruses has now transformed into sophisticated, AI-enhanced cyber attacks capable of adapting to defensive measures.
In Nigeria, this global issue takes on added urgency. A 2023 report by Deloitte highlighted that even organisations once confident in their security found themselves vulnerable, spurred by economic hardships and rising insider threats.
Phishing attacks increased by 12% in Q3 2023 alone, while 25% of Nigeria’s Industrial Control Systems (ICS) were targeted during the same period.
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As Nigeria’s digital economy grows, so does its exposure to cybersecurity risks. Businesses now face a constantly shifting game with high stakes, and cyber threats escalate rapidly.
In response to this challenge, a new proactive approach to cybersecurity has emerged, led by APISentry—an innovative company aiming not just to react to cyber threats but to also predict and prevent them.
The idea behind APISentry is a unified, user-friendly cybersecurity solution capable of detecting, preventing, and predicting cyber threats. Why? As existing solutions lag behind the rapid pace of evolving threats, the need for a more innovative approach became clear.
Bringing this vision to life required a unique combination of creativity, technical know-how, and business expertise—fortunately, a trio with these complementary skills found each other.
Sylvia Onwukwe, the chief technical officer (CTO), is at the helm of APISentry. A seasoned software engineer with extensive experience building secure, large-scale applications, Sylvia’s deep knowledge of software architecture, cloud security, and secure practices has been integral to APISentry’s robust platform.
Her resilience and determination, forged in a male-dominated industry, have fueled her personal growth and APISentry’s success.
Damilola Enikanoselu, chief information and security officer (CISO) at APIsentry, brings technical expertise and security awareness to his role.
With a security operations centre (SOC) analyst background and experience in vulnerability assessments and penetration testing, Damilola plays a critical role in identifying and mitigating threats.
Completing the team is Emmanuel Ezehiwele, APISentry’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With expertise in sales and partnerships, Emmanuel leads the company’s strategic direction, overseeing everything from partnerships to funding and market expansion.
He draws from his experience at companies like Rayda and Ethnos Cyber, where he developed expertise in business development and strategic planning. His ability to articulate APISentry’s value to clients and secure key partnerships has been pivotal in driving the company’s growth.
The synergy between these three co-founders—Sylvia’s technical leadership, Damilola’s security expertise, and Emmanuel’s business acumen—has been the foundation of APISentry’s success.
Together, they’ve developed a cybersecurity solution tailored to businesses operating across IT infrastructures, whether IoT, web, or mobile applications.
APISentry offers two operational modes: a learning mode that flags suspicious activities, and an active mode that blocks potential threats in real-time. This flexibility allows businesses to scale their cybersecurity efforts as needed.
“Our onboarding process is designed to be seamless,” says Emmanuel. “We integrate clients into our platform, provide real-time support, and deliver comprehensive reports, ensuring constant oversight and protection for our clients.”
This user-centric approach reflects APISentry’s commitment to providing adaptable and accessible cybersecurity solutions. Over the past year, the platform has successfully mitigated over a million cyberattacks. In one notable instance, APISentry helped a financial institution fend off a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack targeting its API infrastructure.
By detecting an unusual traffic spike, APISentry quickly implemented rate-limiting measures, isolating the malicious traffic and allowing legitimate operations to continue uninterrupted. This intervention saved the institution from major financial losses and helped preserve customer trust during a critical time.
At the core of APISentry’s progress is the partnership between Sylvia, Damilola, and Emmanuel.
Reflecting on their collective approach, Damilola notes, “As co-founders, our individual strengths complement each other, creating a well-rounded leadership team.”
Their shared values—integrity, confidentiality, and a deep commitment to customer satisfaction—guide every decision they make, ensuring their solution is tailored to meet specific client needs. Despite facing resource constraints in an industry known for being more reactive than proactive, APISentry has creatively leveraged partnerships to extend its reach and impact.
Looking ahead, APISentry remains focused on its mission to make cybersecurity more accessible and adaptable across various industries.
This commitment recently gained momentum through the BRAIN (Bridging Research And Innovation) Accelerator program, which took the company to Cape Town’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.
As part of a select cohort of DeepTech startups, APISentry connected with key players like Holocene VC, Hyrax Biosciences, and Innovation City Cape Town, presenting at the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit.
These engagements expanded their network and positioned APISentry to acquire new customers in South Africa and the broader African tech ecosystem.
With cyber threats constantly evolving, APISentry, guided by its visionary leadership, is poised to lead the charge in cybersecurity innovation, safeguarding businesses across the continent.
