Arctic Wolf is proud to honor this year’s Black History Month with a company-wide theme of Perseverance, designed to honor the triumphs, contributions, and achievements of the Black community around the world, and celebrate Black excellence within Arctic Wolf. We’ve planned a series of activities throughout the month of February to honor the achievements of Black people through history while celebrating and amplifying members of Arctic Wolf’s Black Excellence Allyship Movement (BEAM). Today, we’re sharing the perspective of Tosin Akola, a Concierge Security Engineer 3 and member of our Black Excellence Allyship Movement.
Tell us about your background and heritage
I’m a Black person from Nigeria — Yoruba to be precise. I come from a rich culture with deep traditions and strong family values. We are known for our respect, wisdom, and of course, our food. Our language is full of proverbs, and we take pride in things like music and fashion.
What is your role at Arctic Wolf! What drew your initial interest in the cybersecurity field?
I am a Concierge Security Engineer at Arctic Wolf. I have always been curious about how technology works and I have passion for keeping things safe, whether it’s physical or digital assets. At the start of my career, my role was focused on protecting an organization’s assets, which led me to appreciate cybersecurity. It felt like the perfect way to use my tech skills to keep things secure.
How have you grown personally and professionally as a member of the Pack?
Being part of the Pack has helped me grow by learning from others and adapting to new situations. I have become more aware of my strengths and learned the value of teamwork, leadership, and humility. It’s all about supporting each other and applying what we learn to get better together.
How have you experienced the benefits of having a diverse workplace?
Working in a diverse workplace has been great. I get to work with people from different backgrounds, and they bring new ideas and ways of thinking. It helps me learn more, think differently, and find better solutions. A diverse team also creates a more welcoming environment, where everyone can do their best.
What’s one thing your coworkers may not know about you?
My coworkers may not know that I enjoy gardening. I find it therapeutic to plant and care for flowers.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month means celebrating the achievements, struggles, and contributions of Black people throughout history.
The Arctic Wolf theme for BHM this year is perseverance. Would you share a time you’ve persevered, and what you learned from it?
I’ve learned that, no matter how difficult a situation may seem, resilience and consistency can turn things around. There were moments where things weren’t going as planned, and I felt discouraged, but I kept pushing forward, learning from my mistakes.
What advice do you have for people looking to break into the cybersecurity industry?
My advice would be to start with building a solid foundation of knowledge. Focus on understanding the basics and grow from there.
What is your mantra or motto?
Every step forward counts, no matter how small.
Learn more about Pack Unity and Pack Unity Alliances.
