A Nigerian cybersecurity and business analytics expert, Jane Onwuchekwa, has called for a radical shift in how organisations approach digital security, urging them to embrace artificial intelligence and advanced business analytics as tools for proactive defence against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Onwuchekwa, who recently published an article titled “Integrating Business Analytics and Applied Artificial Intelligence for Data-Driven Cybersecurity: Toward Proactive Defence,” argues that traditional, static defence mechanisms are no longer adequate to protect against modern cyberattacks.

Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Science with a concentration in data management and analysis at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, USA, Onwuchekwa brings extensive industry experience to bear on this issue.

“In today’s threat landscape, reacting after an attack is no longer enough,” she said. “Organisations must move from reactive to proactive by leveraging data and artificial intelligence to detect and neutralise threats in real time.”

According to her publication, integrating business analytics with applied AI can dramatically enhance an organisation’s ability to detect anomalies, respond faster to incidents, and align cybersecurity strategies with core business objectives. The article highlights behavioural analytics, threat intelligence integration, and automated response as key methodologies for achieving this.

“Machine learning models can monitor user behaviour and flag suspicious deviations almost instantly,” Onwuchekwa explained. “This is far more effective than relying on predefined rules, which attackers can easily circumvent.”

She further emphasised the importance of quantifying cybersecurity risk in economic and operational terms, allowing organisations to prioritise their responses based on actual business impact.

“When cybersecurity is presented as a measurable business risk, it gets the executive attention it deserves,” she noted.

Onwuchekwa also advocates for AI-driven, automated incident response to reduce the mean time to detect and contain breaches — a critical factor in limiting damage.

“Time is the enemy in cybersecurity. The faster you respond, the less you stand to lose,” she said.

She warns that organisations which fail to adopt these advanced techniques will continue to suffer data breaches, financial losses, and reputational harm.

“It’s no longer about building stronger walls. It’s about building smarter systems that can learn, adapt, and defend in real time,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Onwuchekwa calls for deeper exploration into explainable AI models and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure transparency, fairness, and trust in AI-driven security.

“Security decisions made by artificial intelligence must be understandable and justifiable, especially in high-stakes environments,” she stressed.

As Nigeria and other countries expand their digital public services and financial systems, Onwuchekwa believes scalable, data-driven cybersecurity frameworks will be crucial.

“We need to integrate technology, policy, and business priorities to enable sustainable innovation,” she concluded.