Rooted in Africa, Building for the Digital Frontier-The Rene Dzernyuy Story

How Rene Dzernyuy turned personal experience with online fraud into SecureAfric, a platform dedicated to making cybersecurity education real and accessible across the continent.

Rene Dzernyuy grew up watching a neighbour fix televisions in Cameroon. Today, from his base in the United States, he is doing something far more complex: trying to fix the way Africa thinks about digital safety. As a Senior Information Security Specialist by day and the founder of the SecureAfric podcast by everything else, Rene occupies a rare space: practitioner and educator, technologist and storyteller. In this conversation with Techtrends Africa, he shares the fraud attempt that set him on his path, why governance matters as much as firewalls, and why he believes cybersecurity is no longer optional but a basic life skill.

Tell us who you are before we talk about what you do. Where are you from? How did you get into cybersecurity, and what was the defining moment that made you say, “This is the field I want to build my life in”?

First of all, thank you for giving me this opportunity.

I was born and raised in Cameroon and currently reside in the United States. My journey into technology started when I was very young. I had a neighbour I considered like an older brother because we were very close. He worked as a radio and television repair technician. On weekends, I would sit beside him and watch him work, and sometimes he would take me along to people’s homes to install or repair televisions. That experience sparked my curiosity and love for technology.

When I moved to the United States, I knew I wanted to work in IT, but I wasn’t completely sure which path to take. I enjoyed connecting things and understanding how systems communicate. So, networking initially caught my interest.

But the turning point came one day when I clicked on a pop-up message on my computer. My screen froze, and a phone number appeared telling me to call for support. I called, and the person on the other end convinced me that my computer was infected with a virus and that hackers were inside my system. She asked me to pay $500 to fix the issue. I told her I didn’t have it. She reduced it to $300, then $150, but I still couldn’t pay. Eventually, she gave up. I restarted my computer, and everything worked perfectly fine.

Later, I researched what had happened and realised I had almost fallen victim to a tech support scam. Nothing was wrong with my computer. That experience opened my eyes to how cybercriminals manipulate fear and exploit people who simply don’t know better. That moment planted the seed for my cybersecurity journey.

“I realised how vulnerable everyday people are online, and I wanted to be part of protecting and educating them.”

Beyond SecureAfric, what does your professional day-to-day look like?

Aside from running SecureAfric, I currently work full-time as a Senior Information Security Specialist. While I cannot go into specific details about my role, my work allows me to contribute to different areas of an organisation’s cybersecurity programme, including collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, so my day-to-day involves balancing security operations, risk management, compliance considerations, and helping strengthen the organisation’s overall security posture. SecureAfric allows me to extend that work beyond the corporate environment and focus on public education and awareness.

What specifically made you decide to start SecureAfric? Was there a moment — a news story, a conversation, a frustration — that crystallised the need for this platform?

SecureAfric was born from several observations I made over the years. The first was the way many Africans interact with the internet and social media. I saw people unknowingly exposing sensitive information online, falling victim to scams, and lacking basic cybersecurity awareness. At the same time, there was very little accessible education tailored to African audiences.

That is why my very first episode focused on WhatsApp account takeovers — a scam affecting many people across the continent. The goal was simple: explain how the scam works and show people how to protect themselves.

Another major reason was the lack of mentorship and practical guidance for young people trying to enter tech. Many aspiring professionals receive conflicting advice online, especially from people trying to sell courses or unrealistic promises. That inspired the “3 Minutes with a Tech Professional” series, where I invite professionals to briefly share insights about their careers, lessons, and advice for newcomers.

The final motivation was storytelling. Africa’s tech ecosystem is growing rapidly, but many incredible innovations and success stories do not get enough visibility. Through SecureAfric, I wanted to highlight African startups, innovators, cybersecurity issues, breakthroughs, and challenges.

I recently hosted the founder of DocFila, an AI-powered platform focused on document automation, and also spoke with Dr. Annouchka about using AI to improve drug safety in Africa. These are the kinds of stories that genuinely excite me because they show what is possible on the continent.

What would you say is the single most underreported or misunderstood cybersecurity challenge facing Africa right now?

One of the biggest issues is the lack of understanding around data privacy and personal information security. Many people still do not fully understand what data privacy means, what rights they have over their personal information, or how valuable their data is online. That lack of awareness creates major vulnerabilities.

Another serious issue is the absence of basic cybersecurity awareness training. In many cases, even foundational digital safety practices are missing. If we do not address this early, we risk raising an entire generation that is highly connected online but not equipped to protect themselves.

Who are you making SecureAfric for? And what feedback from listeners has meant the most to you?

SecureAfric is primarily built for Africans and the African diaspora, but honestly, there is something for everyone regardless of background. Some people come to learn practical online safety tips. Others come for career guidance, technology discussions, or insights into cybersecurity trends and innovation across Africa.

One of the things that motivates me the most is when people reach out privately or leave comments expressing appreciation for something they learned from an episode. Knowing that someone gained valuable knowledge, avoided a scam, or found clarity in their career journey because of SecureAfric genuinely keeps me going. Those moments are a reminder that the platform is making a real impact, even if it is one person at a time.

SecureAfric has a specific focus on Governance, Risk, and Compliance, and not just the technical side of cybersecurity. Why does GRC matter so much to you?

A company cannot truly be secure without strong policies, procedures, and governance structures that employees understand and actually follow. Cybersecurity is not just about technology. It is also about accountability, processes, compliance, and risk management.

When organisations fail to properly protect customer information, the damage goes beyond financial loss. Yes, companies may lose money and reputation, but customers often suffer the deeper and longer-lasting consequences. When personally identifiable information is exposed in a breach, victims can face identity theft, impersonation, financial fraud, and long-term privacy risks. That is why GRC matters. It helps organisations create sustainable security cultures instead of relying only on technical tools.

“My hope is that SecureAfric can contribute, even in a small way, toward building a safer, more innovative, and more digitally empowered Africa.”

What has been the hardest part of this journey, and what keeps you going when it gets difficult?

One of the biggest challenges has been getting high-value guests to participate, especially while still building a smaller audience and growing the platform. When you are trying to create meaningful conversations with experienced professionals, decision-makers, or industry leaders, gaining access can be difficult at first.

But challenges are part of the journey. What keeps me motivated is knowing that every episode has the potential to help at least one person. If someone learns how to avoid a scam, protect their information, or find direction in their career because of something they watched on SecureAfric, then the effort is worth it.

If SecureAfric achieves everything you hope for it in the next three to five years, what does that look like?

I hope to continue growing SecureAfric into a platform that reaches and impacts as many people across Africa as possible. Beyond digital content, I would love to eventually build physical initiatives and programmes that support young talent, innovators, and aspiring technology professionals across the continent.

One of my long-term dreams is to create opportunities where young innovators can showcase their work, connect with mentors, and potentially gain access to investors or organisations that can support their ideas. Yes, it is ambitious, and yes, it will be difficult, but meaningful change always starts with taking the first step.

Rene Dzernyuy is a Senior Information Security Specialist and the founder of SecureAfric, a cybersecurity education podcast focused on African audiences. He is based in the United States. Follow SecureAfric for episodes on digital safety, GRC, and technology across the continent.