How PalmPay Internship Changed My View Of Digital Security — Stephanie

Mbara Stephanie, an Information Security Intern at PalmPay, has said her participation in the fintech company’s Purple Woman 3.0 programme changed her understanding of digital security and the measures required to protect customers and their financial information.

Stephanie, who joined the company through the programme, said the internship gave her practical exposure to identifying potential security risks, monitoring unusual activities and understanding measures used to prevent security incidents.

She explained that information security involves more than responding to threats, stressing the importance of continuous monitoring, collaboration and proactive risk prevention.

“My experience at PalmPay through the Purple Woman 3.0 programme completely changed how I understand information security. I learnt that it goes beyond protecting passwords and private information; it is also about identifying risks, preventing threats and taking proactive steps to protect customers, their information and their money,” she said.

The Purple Woman Programme is designed to equip young women with practical skills, mentorship and workplace experience across technology and other professional fields.

According to information provided by the company, the initiative has received more than 1,000 applications, with 100 women selected for a three-day masterclass and 10 participants offered six-month internship opportunities at PalmPay.

Stephanie said working alongside experienced professionals also helped her develop confidence and gain a clearer understanding of the responsibilities involved in a career in information security.

Her experience also exposed her to the principles behind PalmPay’s Dey For You security campaign, which encourages customers to take steps to protect their accounts.

The company said its Security Center provides tools intended to help customers manage account security and respond to potential risks.

Commenting on the programme, PalmPay Nigeria’s Chief Information Security Officer, Paul Oludele, said information security was central to protecting customers and maintaining trust in digital financial services.

“At PalmPay, information security is central to protecting our customers and maintaining trust in digital financial services. Programmes like Purple Woman give young talents the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and understand how their skills can contribute to this responsibility,” he said.

Oludele added that Stephanie’s experience demonstrated the value of combining practical training with mentorship to develop future information security professionals.

Women remain under-represented in parts of Nigeria’s technology sector, prompting calls for more opportunities to help them acquire relevant skills and gain workplace experience.

The Purple Woman Programme seeks to address this gap by providing selected participants with training and opportunities to gain practical experience.

For Stephanie, the internship has provided technical knowledge and professional exposure as she pursues a career in information security.