Dratech Award winner, Mariam Sanusi, Redefining Cloud Security

Winner, Dratech Cybersecurity Innovation Award 2023 – Cybersecurity Category

In an increasingly complex digital world, where cloud threats are escalating and cyber risks demand fresh solutions, one name has emerged as a leader in proactive defense: Mariam Sanusi. This year, Dratech International proudly recognizes her as the recipient of the 2023 Dratech Cybersecurity Innovation Award, honoring her cutting-edge work that blends technical precision with scalable, real-world impact.

Her winning project, an Automated AMI Management Solution with Integrated Vulnerability Scanning, was developed during her tenure at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and it stood out among entries from across the globe for its originality, effectiveness, and enterprise-level applicability.

“Mariam’s work goes far beyond code and configuration, it’s about building systems people can trust in the face of evolving digital threats.”
— Dratech Innovation Award Panel

The Innovation That Set Her Apart

At the core of Mariam’s recognition is a high-impact project she developed during her internship at Amazon Web Services (AWS): an Automated AMI (Amazon Machine Image) Management Solution with Integrated Vulnerability Scanning.

This innovation directly tackled a critical cloud security challenge ensuring secure, up-to-date machine images across sprawling enterprise environments. By automating the lifecycle of AMIs and embedding real-time vulnerability scans using AWS Inspector, the solution not only reduced operational risks but also improved compliance and response time to image-based threats.

The Dratech panel cited Mariam’s project as an ideal representation of the four award criteria:

Technical Novelty: It offered a new automation strategy that combined patching, deprecation, and security scanning unified in a dynamic pipeline that had not yet seen broad implementation.
Threat Landscape Relevance: In a year dominated by supply chain attacks, cloud vulnerabilities, and ransomware, Mariam’s solution delivered precise mitigation for one of 2023’s most urgent risk surfaces.
Operational Maturity: The tool wasn’t theoretical. It was actively tested, used across multiple AWS accounts, and proven functional during her time with the AWS enterprise engineering team.
Scalability & Community Value: With potential applications across various industries, her work was designed with multi-tenancy and modularity in mind making it adaptable across cloud environments and organizational sizes.

“Mariam’s solution reflected the rare combination of deep technical knowledge, threat awareness, and a clear eye for enterprise usability.”
— Dratech Award Committee Chair, Dr. Eniola Durojaiye

A Foundation Rooted in Academic Excellence and Real-World Execution

Mariam’s professional ascent has been built on a strong academic foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Caleb University in Nigeria, followed by a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from the University of Texas at Dallas. Her academic achievements are further supported by industry certifications, including:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
(ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Her well-rounded skill set spans cloud security architecture, threat analysis, vulnerability management, automation, and regulatory compliance—making her a versatile force in both enterprise and development environments.

Field Experience That Delivers Results

Before her stint at AWS, Mariam worked as a Cybersecurity Analyst at SystemSpecs, one of Nigeria’s leading fintech firms. There, she led vulnerability assessments using Nessus and Python, reducing threat exposure by 90%. Her collaboration with legal and compliance teams led to critical policy overhauls, achieving full regulatory compliance and improving internal protocols for future audit cycles.

At American Airlines, she expanded her influence by overseeing access reviews and audit remediation across multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP). Using Sonrai Security, she implemented controls that helped the airline reduce unauthorized access exposure while aligning with enterprise risk standards.

This practical experience across multiple sectors of aviation, fintech, and cloud infrastructure equipped Mariam with a uniquely broad perspective, enhancing her ability to build adaptable, scalable security solutions.

“Whether in a global tech hub or on Nigerian soil, Mariam approaches every challenge with the same clarity: build systems that people can depend on.”
— Dratech Editorial Board

Research-Driven and Community-Oriented

In addition to her practical and academic contributions, Mariam has also added to global knowledge through original research. Her published papers in 2023 include:

These papers explore how intelligent automation and cloud platforms can transform sectors far beyond traditional IT contributing to resilient supply chains, healthcare integrity, and national cybersecurity strategies.

Her commitment to inclusive progress is also evident in her involvement with the WomenTechsters Fellowship, a program designed to equip African women with skills in emerging tech sectors. She is also an active member of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), advocating for greater representation and leadership for women in the field.

“Cybersecurity is not just about protecting data. It’s about protecting people, trust, and progress.”
— Mariam Sanusi, 2023 Dratech Award Winner

A Defining Moment for Mariam

As the global cybersecurity landscape grows more dynamic and complex, the need for thinkers and builders like Mariam Sanusi becomes more urgent. The 2023 Dratech Cybersecurity Innovation Award recognizes her not only for an outstanding technical contribution but for embodying the future of African excellence in global innovation.

Her journey from Lagos classrooms to global cloud platforms is a story of vision, resilience, and execution. It is proof that with talent, education, and opportunity, African professionals can lead some of the most critical digital transformations of our time.

“We honour Mariam not just for what she has built, but for what her story inspires—a generation of African innovators solving problems on a global scale.”
— Dratech International Executive Team

Closing Statement

Dratech International is proud to celebrate Mariam Sanusi as a beacon of cybersecurity innovation and leadership. Her success is a reminder that true innovation isn’t just about being first, it’s about being bold, being precise, and delivering solutions that make the world more secure.

Congratulations, Mariam Sanusi. The future of cybersecurity is brighter because of you.

#DratechAwards2023 | #CybersecurityInnovation | #MariamSanusi | #WomenInTech | #AfricanExcellence