Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kubernetes, and Microsoft certified solutions engineer specializing in cloud security and application security, Ayodeji Obayomi is a DevSecOps engineer with extensive expertise in secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) integration, vulnerability management, and security automation. His accredited fields include security architecture, application security testing, cloud security practice, threat modeling, and security operations.
Ayodeji Obayomi is proficient in various platforms, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, employing security tools and frameworks for tasks such as container security, security orchestration and automation (SOAR), vulnerability scanning, secrets management, CI/CD pipeline security, SIEM integration, and application performance security optimization. Throughout his career, including roles as a DevSecOps and cloud security engineering consultant, Ayodeji has focused on embedding security controls into development workflows, conducting security assessments, and implementing zero-trust architectures. In all his roles, he endeavors to leverage his educational background and certifications, along with his expertise in application security, penetration testing, secure code review, compliance frameworks (such as NIST CSF, SOC 2, ISO 27001), threat modeling, risk management, and security automation, to provide resilient and scalable security solutions.
Besides work, Mr. Obayomi regularly attends various events relevant to his profession, including AWS re:Invent, security conferences, and other relevant professional podcasts or live events. He also enjoys cycling, soccer, and music.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day begins with morning prayers, meditation, and physical stretches to develop a positive mindset, followed by checking communication channels, planning daily tasks through time-blocking, and attending quick team check-ins or status meetings. Throughout the day, I focus on high-priority projects during peak energy hours, handle routine operational tasks and maintenance, collaborate with colleagues on shared initiatives, and problem-solve technical or process challenges while participating in meetings, providing support to team members and cross-functional partners, coordinating with other departments, and documenting decisions and resolutions. I stay current with industry trends and tools, analyze performance to identify optimization opportunities, work on process improvements and efficiency gains, and plan for upcoming projects or changes. My productivity strategies include using time-blocking to protect focus time, prioritizing based on impact and urgency, minimizing multitasking to maintain quality, taking regular breaks to maintain energy throughout the day, and conducting regular reflection on what’s working and what needs adjustment.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I begin by writing down my ideas in specific, concrete terms and defining what success looks like, focusing on the core problem it solves or values it creates for others. I then break the big idea into smaller, actionable components that feel manageable, then test my concept with potential users or stakeholders before investing significant time or resources. After which, I research whether similar solutions already exist and create simple prototypes or mockups to help visualize the concept and gather meaningful feedback from others.
Furthermore, I map out the specific steps needed to move forward, identify required resources and skills, and set realistic timelines while focusing on the minimum viable version first. I usually start with the smallest possible first step and build momentum through consistent progress, learning and adapting as you go rather than trying to perfect everything upfront. This helps to overcome common obstacles by reframing setbacks as learning opportunities, embracing “good enough” to get started, and working creatively within constraints. I then build support systems by finding mentors, connecting with others working on similar challenges, sharing my progress to stay accountable, and actively collaborating rather than trying to do everything alone.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Artificial intelligence and automation. Most organizations are now integrating AI-powered development, operations, and security tools into their software development life-cycle workflows. We’ve seen some of artificial intelligence’s potential in optimizing workflows and predicting failures and successes of pipelines. AI is the road map to tech’s future. And while the capabilities are powerful, so are the potential security and privacy risks – some exciting opportunities for security professionals.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I try to stay positive and prioritize my work using the time-blocking approach. Instead of keeping a running to-do list and jumping between tasks randomly, I assign dedicated timeslots to specific activities. For example: 8-11 am for reviewing/completing active tasks and attending team meetings, 11-12 pm for emails and communication, and other hours of the day for wrapping up tasks for the day.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would advise my younger self to take calculated risks. Don’t wait until you feel “ready” – you’ll rarely feel 100 percent prepared.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe boredom is essential for creativity, and our culture’s obsession with constant stimulation is making us less innovative.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Always having faith and believing the best is yet to come.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take breaks and do some physical activities (like riding a bike, stretching, etc.) or I listen to my favorite music.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I’ve become the automation evangelist who eliminates toil – this is the career accelerator that sets DevOps engineers apart. Some DevOps engineers focus on maintaining systems, but I believe the ones who advance fast are those who systematically eliminate manual work and create scalable solutions that other teams can leverage. In addition, most organizations struggle with the fundamental tension between development speed and security requirements. Developers often see security as friction, while security teams view rapid development as risky. As an automation security specialist, I will always position myself as the translator and problem-solver between these worlds.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my DevSecOps journey, I implemented what I thought were comprehensive security controls across CI/CD pipeline that ended up being overly restrictive and significantly slowed down development cycles. Deployment times increased from 30 minutes to over two hours, and developers began circumventing the security checks entirely, which created even greater risks than before.
I overcame this by stepping back and engaging directly with development teams to understand their workflows and pain points. Instead of imposing security from the outside, I collaborated with them to redesign the security controls as enablers rather than blockers. We implemented risk-based approaches, automated routine security checks, and built security guardrails that provided fast feedback without stopping the development flow.
The key lessons I took away were: first, security without buy-in from development teams becomes security theater that increases risk. Second, the goal isn’t perfect security—it’s optimal security that balances protection with business velocity. Third, involving stakeholders in designing solutions, rather than presenting them with finished systems, creates ownership and compliance. Feedback loops are crucial—if security controls don’t provide immediate, actionable feedback to developers, they’ll be seen as obstacles rather than tools.
This failure taught me that successful DevSecOps is more about people and processes than just technology implementation.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Build and sell a SaaS platform that uses AI to automatically generate and maintain API documentation by analyzing code repositories in real-time, solving the persistent problem of outdated or missing documentation that costs development teams countless hours.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Obsidian: a knowledge management and note-taking tool that can dramatically boost productivity through connected thinking. How it helps with productivity:
- Captures everything in one place: meeting notes, project ideas, learning resources, and daily thoughts.
- Links related concepts automatically, creating a web of knowledge.
- Eliminates the mental overhead of remembering where you put information.
- Every note becomes more valuable as you connect it to others.
- Patterns and insights emerge from your accumulated knowledge.
- You stop losing good ideas or having to re-research the same topics.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Fav Books:
The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim et al, fourth edition.
• Shows how DevOps principles transform struggling IT organizations.
• Teaches systems thinking and flow optimization.
• Provides a framework for understanding constraints and bottlenecks.
• Why valuable: makes complex DevOps concepts accessible through storytelling.
Security Chaos Engineering by Kelly Shortridge and Aaron Rinehart.
• Applies chaos engineering principles to security testing.
• Bridges the gap between security and reliability practices.
• Why valuable: cutting-edge approach that positions me ahead of the curve.
Podcasts:
DevOps Cafe:
• Interviews with industry leaders and practitioners.
• Real-world case studies and lessons learned.
• Why valuable: keeps me current with evolving practices and tools.
The Secure Developer
• Security-focused discussions for developers and DevOps engineers.
• Practical advice on integrating security into development workflows.
• Why valuable: directly applicable to DevSecOps challenges.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
To Kill a Monkey. I appreciate Kemi Adetiba’s signature blend of gritty realism and compelling character directives, as the series follows Efe’s morally complex journey from struggle to wealth, exploring themes of desperation, survival, and the compromises people make when pushed to their limits. The strong performances, particularly in the first half of the series, and the mature production quality (including cinematography and direction that reflects Nollywood’s evolution) creates an engaging viewing experience that feels both cinematic and authentically Nigerian. The series is layered with exploration of contemporary social issues, from the pressures of masculinity and family expectations to the realities of modern Nigeria. Oboz: Brotherrrlllllyyyyyy!!!
Key learnings
- Strategic positioning between development and security is crucial: career advancement comes from becoming the translator and problem-solver between development teams seeking speed and security teams requiring protection, rather than choosing sides in this fundamental organizational tension.
- Calculated risk-taking beats waiting for readiness: professional growth requires taking action before feeling 100% prepared, as the feeling of complete readiness rarely arrives naturally in dynamic technology careers.
- Test ideas before investing heavily: the most effective approach to bringing ideas to life involves writing them down concretely, testing concepts with potential users early, and creating simple prototypes to gather feedback before committing significant resources.