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By Christy Anyanwu
Right from early life, even before he was 10, Noah Bamfo’s affinity for digital technology had set him apart and it was a foregone conclusion that he would make a mark in information technology. Bamfo is cutting his name in gold in the highly specialised field of cybersecurity protection and networking of high value communications systems for government and enterprise institutions across sectors, ranging from financial services, justice, telecom to retail.
He has gained expertise in deploying and managing DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC), which were introduced to address the vulnerability of Domain Name System (DNS). Bamfo, whose work spans over nine years of designing intelligent network security solutions, has led DNS-layer security projects across national infrastructure in Africa and enterprise networks in the U.S.
Please give us a snapshot of yourself – where you went to school and what you studied.
First, I am a senior Senior Network and Security Engineer with a deep-rooted passion for IT that dates back to when I was just seven years old. I currently live in Virginia, United States, and I hold a Master’s degree in Information and Telecommunication Systems from Ohio University, where I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. I also earned my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Ghana.
Over the years, I have grown into a well-rounded network and security professional with over 10 years of experience working in both African and international organizations. I specialize in network automation, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, and I have worked with several enterprise and government institutions across sectors—financial services, justice, telecom, and retail.
At what point in your educational journey did you decide to major in information technology and what informed the decision?
Honestly, it started even before formal education. I was around seven when my dad got us a Windows desktop. What began as playing Mario quickly became an obsession with how the computer worked. I’d go to internet cafés to download games, often getting viruses that crashed the system. But instead of giving up, I became obsessed with fixing it. This hands-on curiosity followed me through school, and by the time I entered the university, choosing Computer Science and Mathematics felt natural. My third-year internship, when I was introduced to Cisco Networking Fundamentals, solidified my direction. I knew I wanted to build secure and intelligent communication systems. That internship lit the spark for network engineering and security, which has shaped my entire career.
Communication systems and networks generally are facing increasing attacks from Dark Web programmers like The Anonymous. What makes it easier for such attacks to happen and what can be done to protect them from malicious, disruptive and crippling attacks?
The attacks we’re seeing, whether by Anonymous or other groups, are often successful because of poor security hygiene, lack of visibility, and delayed response. Many organizations still use outdated systems, weak passwords, unpatched software, or improperly segmented networks. That creates an easy entry point for attackers.
What can we do? First, do the right things (take actions that will limit vulnerabilities as much as you can), zero-trust architecture should be the baseline. Assume no user or device is safe until verified. Then, implement multi-factor authentication, strong encryption, and real-time monitoring using tools like SIEM platforms. Also, automate your defenses. In my work, I’ve used tools like Python and Ansible to automate firewall configurations, system patching, and incident response, because in cyber defense, speed matters.
Lastly, organizations must invest in cybersecurity awareness training. Human error is still one of the biggest threats.
Based on your experience, would you say that African financial organizations are doing enough to protect their customers from digital heist of their funds?
There’s been good progress, but the short answer is: not enough.
Many African financial institutions still rely heavily on legacy systems, with inconsistent security policies and limited penetration testing. I have worked with organizations where network segmentation was lacking, access control was basic, and monitoring was reactive rather than proactive.
But I have also seen institutions take bold steps, ranging from implementing ISE for identity management, firewall upgrades, to deploying cloud security tools like Umbrella and DNSSEC.
So, while the willpower exists, the implementation and governance need more focus. It’s not just about buying cybersecurity tools, it is about building a security culture across the organization, from leadership to frontline staff.
Paint a picture of the work you have done in your field and the benefits it brought to organisations and the general society.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to lead several high-impact projects
.For the Judicial Service of Ghana, I modernized their LAN and IP telephony infrastructure at the Supreme Court. This drastically improved communication and digital case management efficiency. At Fairgreen, I spearheaded SD-WAN and ACI deployments across enterprises, enabling more secure, scalable, and cost-effective wide-area networking. For Ohio University, I designed a dual-stack IPv6 network and optimized AV over IP infrastructure, improving digital learning experiences for students and staff. I have deployed DNS layer security and email security appliances for government agencies, thereby fortifying national infrastructure from digital threats.
All these projects made systems more secure, reliable, and future-proof, while also reducing downtime, boosting efficiency, and enabling faster service delivery to the public.
When you look at the tech ecosystem in relation to African GenZs, what thoughts come to you?
I see untapped brilliance. African Gen Zs are naturally digital-native, full of curiosity and resilience. They’re teaching themselves coding on YouTube, building apps on their phones, and starting startups without waiting for permission. But there’s a disconnect between their potential and the infrastructure around them. They have to contend with limited broadband access, outdated educational systems, and insufficient mentorship. We risk wasting this powerful generation unless we invest in platforms that nurture their creativity, connect them to global opportunities, and guide them with structure.
What do you think needs to be done to integrate African GenZs into the emerging tech ecosystem and enable African countries to benefit from the transformative power of information technology?
We need a multi-layered strategy, which will include the following: affordable infrastructure comprising fast internet and reliable power which must become the norm, not the exception; there has to be education reform, whereby we will replace rote learning with problem-solving, design thinking, and digital skills from early stages; there is need for mentorship and incubators, which would entail creating local hubs where GenZs can build, fail, learn, and connect with industry leaders.
The other steps are: African governments through policy must support open data, innovation friendly regulation, and public-private partnerships; tech is not cheap, and that is why access to funding is central to the goal. For this reason, we need micro-grants, community workspaces, and sponsorship programmes to level the playing field.
If we get this right, Africa won’t just participate in the tech revolution, we’ll lead parts of it.
If you had the opportunity to address a gathering of ECOWAS Heads of State & Government or the leaders of the African Union in Addis Ababa, what would you tell them?
I’d tell them this: “The digital divide isn’t just about internet access, it’s about economic destiny. Africa’s young population is its greatest asset. Invest in them. Build the digital highways—broadband, cybersecurity, cloud platforms—just like you built roads and power grids. The future of jobs, education, healthcare, and governance depends on our ability to harness technology. You hold the pen; it’s time to write Africa’s tech success story.”
When you are not writing code or dealing with IT issues, how do you relax?
I like to unplug, literally. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Sometimes I go out to play soccer as a form of exercise.
I also love reading books on creation and nature, appreciating the underlying intelligence of nature. And when I want to relax, I go for nature walks or just listen to instrumental music to reflect and recharge.
