From Ibadan to Energy Security: Emmanuel Osoko’s journey to safeguarding America’s power grid

In the complex world of modern infrastructure, the electric power grid stands out as both a marvel and a vulnerability. As countries race to modernise their energy systems, the threat of cyberattacks grows ever more sophisticated.

One of the professionals leading the defense against such threats in the United States is Emmanuel Osoko, a Nigerian-born electrical engineer and Senior Cloud Engineer at Candor Cloud & Security. Working on a critical initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Emmanuel Osoko is helping to reshape the way power grid cybersecurity is approached, making it smarter, faster, and more resilient.

Your work has taken you from Nigeria to the frontlines of American infrastructure security. Why does power grid protection matter so much?

When we talk about power grid attacks, we’re not just talking about people sitting in the dark for a few hours. A sophisticated attack could trigger cascading failures across multiple systems – hospitals losing power during surgeries, transportation networks grinding to a halt, communication systems failing when they’re most needed. Modern societies assume electricity will always be available. That’s why this isn’t just technical work – it’s a matter of public safety and national security.

For those of us who aren’t engineers, what exactly do you do every day?

I develop resilient supervisory control systems and edge-enabled telemetry networks for power infrastructures – essentially, smart security systems for America’s power grid that can think for themselves. When a power substation starts behaving strangely or sensors detect unusual patterns, our systems can instantly isolate that section or redirect power through safer routes. It’s like giving the grid an immune system that works 24/7.

What weaknesses in the current power systems keep you up at night?

The same technologies that make our power systems more efficient also create new vulnerabilities. Two decades ago, analog systems were hard to optimize but also hard to hack. Now, connectivity has improved performance, but it has also opened doors to cyber threats. My focus is on building secure communication frameworks using advanced cryptography – elliptic curve algorithms, secure key exchanges, and encryption – to protect every layer of the grid.

The challenge is implementing these protections without disrupting real-time operations. That’s the expertise I bring: making security seamless enough that it doesn’t interfere with keeping the lights on.

Many of our readers will be proud to see a Nigerian making such important contributions internationally. Tell us about your journey from Nigeria to working on U.S. national security projects.

It all started at the University of Ibadan. For my final year project, I designed and built an automation system for hydroelectric power dams. That experience sparked my interest in critical infrastructure. I was also fortunate to receive three scholarships: the Agbami/Chevron, MTN Foundation, and SKY Foundation scholarships. They recognised my potential and helped fund my education.

I later pursued a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at Ohio University, where I graduated with Distinction. My research focused on cloud computing and power infrastructure, which laid the foundation for the work I do today.

Tell us about your current work. How does what you do at Candor Cloud & Security impact national security in the U.S.?

At Candor, I work on projects focused on strengthening grid defenses. My role involves designing secure cloud-native systems for control centres that manage power distribution. We use “infrastructure as code” to automate secure virtual environments, reducing the risk of human error.

One exciting project involves using AI to predict equipment failures before they happen. We analyze sensor data from transformers and power lines to detect subtle patterns indicating early-stage problems. This allows us to flag equipment for maintenance weeks before traditional methods would detect any issue, preventing costly outages.

How does your work fit into America’s broader energy security strategy?

Energy security is a top U.S. priority. The Department of Energy’s strategic objectives focus on grid resilience, and recent Executive Orders emphasise strengthening infrastructure. My work translates those directives into practical systems – identifying vulnerabilities, designing safeguards, and deploying technology to meet national goals.

Engineers like me bridge the gap between policy and implementation. I understand both the policy language and the technical reality, which allows me to align our work directly with national priorities.

We’ve heard about power grid attacks in Ukraine and elsewhere. Are these threats actually realistic, or is this more about hypothetical risks?

They’re absolutely real. Ukraine has experienced multiple attacks before, so this is not new. Similar attempts have been made in the U.S., though they’ve been thwarted. These aren’t amateurs – we’re talking about coordinated campaigns.

The biggest concern is that attackers only need to succeed once, while defenders have to succeed every time. A single breach could cause cascading failures affecting millions and result in enormous economic and social damage. That’s why this work is critical.

As someone on the cutting edge of this field, what innovations are you most excited about?

I’m especially excited about edge computing combined with artificial intelligence. Traditionally, data had to be sent to central servers for analysis. But milliseconds matter in power systems. With edge computing, intelligent systems at substations can detect and respond to threats instantly.

AI systems are also getting more precise. They now distinguish between normal load variations and malicious behaviour, reducing false alarms and improving operator response. That level of reliability changes everything.

On a more personal note, what motivates you to work in a field where success often means that nothing bad happens?

There’s something deeply satisfying about that invisibility. When families turn on the lights, when hospitals run smoothly, when businesses operate without disruption – that silent reliability represents countless problems that were solved in advance.

I also feel a duty to use my unique skill set. Few professionals understand both physical power systems and modern cybersecurity. That gives me a vantage point to spot risks others might overlook. It’s a responsibility I take seriously.

Looking ahead, how do you see power grid security evolving over the next decade?

We’re heading toward what I call “inherent resilience” – infrastructure built from the ground up to survive attacks. Future grids won’t just block intrusions; they’ll isolate compromised sections and keep running.

AI will play a huge role, making microsecond-level decisions to contain threats. Meanwhile, the rise of distributed energy systems like rooftop solar adds complexity but also resilience. A decentralised grid is harder to bring down.

Developing nations like Nigeria have a unique opportunity to leapfrog older models and integrate security from the start. But the future of energy security will require collaboration across engineers, policymakers, and international stakeholders. That’s what keeps me engaged – it’s not just about code, it’s about building systems that support entire societies.

Emmanuel Osoko holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with Distinction from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He currently serves as a Senior Cloud Engineer at Candor Cloud & Security, where he works on Department of Energy-funded initiatives to enhance the cybersecurity resilience of U.S. power grid infrastructure. His work has been recognised for its contributions to critical infrastructure protection and national security goals.

This interview was conducted during Emmanuel Osoko’s recent visit to Nigeria, where he also met with engineering faculty at the University of Ibadan to discuss potential collaborations on power infrastructure security education.

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