Austin Orumwense, cybersecurity specialist and founder of AstroSec Group, has been honoured with the Crest Africa Award for Excellence in Cybersecurity Innovation & Community Impact, receiving the award on June 26th, 2025.
The recognition highlights his contributions to strengthening enterprise security, mentoring the next generation of professionals, and delivering practical solutions that make digital spaces safer for businesses and communities across Africa and the UK.
The award reflects Austin’s ability to bridge research, practice, and community engagement. Through AstroSec, he has built an innovative platform that connects students, professionals, and small businesses in a collaborative ecosystem.
AstroSec combines mentorship programmes, internships, and real-world projects with tailored SME cybersecurity solutions, while also introducing AI-enabled learning features designed to deliver adaptive training and smarter threat awareness.
This approach not only prepares the next generation of cybersecurity professionals but also extends practical protection to organisations that need it most.
“This award is not just about me,” Austin said. “It reflects the dedication of my team at Astrosec, efforts of young professionals, and the communities that inspire us to do more.”
AstroSec’s work has been recognised for its dual focus on education and innovation. Its training initiatives, awareness campaigns, and community events have helped strengthen digital resilience at both individual and organisational levels.
Collaborations with Greater Manchester councils, for example, have extended cybersecurity awareness to local communities often excluded from the digital shift.
Alongside his entrepreneurial work, Austin has contributed significantly to research and public policy debates. His widely read article, “Cybersecurity and the 2027 Elections: Securing Nigeria’s Democracy in the Digital Age”, explored how election technologies such as BVAS and IReV must be safeguarded against cyberattacks and disinformation.
The piece called for the establishment of an Electoral Cybersecurity Operations Centre (e-CSOC), stronger legal frameworks, and grassroots voter education.
Austin’s academic and professional record adds further weight to his achievements. He holds an MSc with distinction in Cloud and Network Security from the University of Bolton and serves as a member of the Industry Advisory Board at the University of Greater Manchester, where he helps shape cybersecurity curricula to align with industry needs.
He has also contributed to research on advanced persistent threat detection and fake news detection.
“My mission has always been to ensure cybersecurity knowledge is not just theoretical,” Austin explained. “It must translate into practical solutions that protect real people, real businesses, and entire communities.”
The Crest Africa Award recognises Orumwense as one of the continent’s rising leaders in digital technology.
With AstroSec continuing to grow in influence and its innovative AI-enabled features scaling impact, he represents a new generation of African innovators bringing global relevance to local solutions.
