Innocent Ojo, chief executive officer at CoreDefense Limited, an IT and business security solutions company – helping businesses strengthen their security posture, and enhance scalability and operational readiness.
Seeing how businesses consistently struggled to align their security frameworks with operational and growth objectives, Ojo was inspired to establish CoreDefense in the UK in 2024 to address such issues.
“What inspired me to establish CoreDefense was a clear gap I observed in how many organisations approach cybersecurity, often reactively rather than strategically.
“Throughout my experience working across various sectors in Nigeria and the UK, I consistently saw how businesses struggled to align their security frameworks with their operational and growth objectives,” he said.
Ojo, a master’s degree holder in Cybersecurity with advanced research, is committed to empowering organisations with strategic, adaptive security solutions that align with their evolving needs and growth objectives.
His quest to bridge this gap led to his establishing CoreDefense to provide integrated, forward-thinking IT and security solutions that not only protect businesses but also enable them to scale with confidence.
“The goal was to create a company that goes beyond traditional cybersecurity, one that understands the intersection between business goals and technical resilience, and provides tailored strategies to support both,” he explained.
Besides providing cybersecurity, CoreDefense offers a comprehensive suite of services to support overall business resilience and growth.
“We work closely with organisations to align their IT and security strategies with their broader business objectives.”
“We also provide support in areas such as security-focused business analysis, digital transformation advisory, regulatory compliance readiness, and incident response planning.”
“We also help businesses integrate scalable technologies and implement security-by-design principles into their operations and development processes.”
He explained that CoreDenfence aims to be a strategic partner empowering businesses not only to protect their assets but to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
He emphasised that Nigerian businesses, especially start-ups with a global outlook and local understanding, can leverage CoreDefense in scalable ways.
The young entrepreneur stressed that the company recognises the challenges many organisations face when it involves balancing growth with robust security practices, especially in emerging markets.
“Nigerian businesses can leverage our services by partnering with us for tailored cybersecurity strategies, security-focused business analysis, compliance advisory, and incident response planning,” he said.
“Our goal is to help businesses not only defend against threats but embed security as a value driver for innovation, operational efficiency, and long-term success,” he noted.
Speaking on his business’s long-term plans, he said, it wants to be a leading force in cybersecurity and business resilience across emerging markets and beyond.
“We aim to scale our services to reach a wider range of industries, while continuing to innovate and adapt to the evolving threat landscape.”
“Our growth strategy includes building strategic partnerships, investing in advanced technologies, such as AI-driven threat detection and predictive analytics, and expanding our footprint across Africa, Europe, and other high-potential regions.”
According to him, the business hopes to become a trusted partner for organisations seeking not just protection, but a strategic advantage, helping them grow securely and confidently in a digital-first world.
The certified CompTIA Security+ explained that one of the major challenges the firm has faced since commencement has been navigating the balance between growth and resource management.
He stressed that building a cybersecurity firm that delivers both technical excellence and strategic value requires significant investment in talent, technology, and time.
Moreover, he cited inadequate market education, shifting mindsets, and value demonstration, among others, as major hurdles for businesses in the landscape.
Despite these challenges, he said each encounter provides valuable lessons that continue to shape their growth strategy and strengthen their business resilience.
Dealing with these challenges, Ojo revealed, required a combination of strategic planning, adaptability, and a clear focus on our mission.
“For resource management, we’ve adopted a lean and agile approach, prioritising high-impact initiatives and leveraging strategic partnerships to extend our capabilities without compromising quality.
To address the challenge of market education, he said, “we’ve invested in thought leadership, publishing relevant insights, engaging in industry conversations, and conducting awareness sessions to help businesses understand the true value of proactive cybersecurity and digital readiness.”
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