‘We’re Ready for Global Stage’, says Chagara as Milima Security Secures ISO Certification

KAMPALA — Marking a decade of operations, Milima Security CEO Emmanuel Chagara has hailed the firm’s new ISO/IEC 27001 certification as a “strategic step toward global competitiveness,” signalling the Ugandan firm’s intent to expand its cybersecurity footprint across Africa and Europe.

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)/IEC 27001 certification, the internationally recognised standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), was awarded to Milima Security on Thursday at their offices in Ntinda, in a development that underscores the company’s growing maturity and ambitions beyond Uganda’s borders.

Founded in 2016, Milima Security is marking 10 years of active operation, having evolved from a local startup into a trusted regional provider of cybersecurity services supporting government institutions, private sector organisations, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Speaking on the achievement, Emmanuel Chagara, CEO and Founder of Milima Security, described the certification as both a validation of the company’s journey and a strategic step toward global competitiveness.

“Milima was founded in 2016, and this year marks 10 years of active operation. Over that period, the company has evolved from a young organisation into a leading cybersecurity firm, providing services within Uganda and across borders,” Chagara said.

Strengthening Cybersecurity Capabilities

Milima Security’s core services include Managed Security Services Programmes (MSSP), penetration testing and vulnerability assessments, digital forensics investigations, and cybersecurity research. According to Chagara, the company’s growth naturally demanded alignment with globally recognised standards.

“As the company grew, the need to acquire globally recognised certifications became increasingly apparent. ISO certifications are widely regarded as a benchmark for an organisation’s maturity, credibility, and capability to deliver specific services,” he noted.

ISO standards, he explained, go beyond cybersecurity and include frameworks for quality management, risk management, environmental management, and occupational health and safety.

“As an organisation matures—especially one that is serious about the services it provides—it becomes necessary to adopt these global standards,” Chagara said.

A Rigorous Certification Process

ISO/IEC 27001 focuses specifically on information security governance, data protection, record management, and secure handling of client information. Achieving the certification required Milima Security to undergo extensive audits, policy reviews, and staff training.

“You cannot credibly claim to provide cybersecurity services if you do not have strong internal cybersecurity policies, or if your own staff do not adhere to basic cybersecurity principles,” Chagara said.

“The assessment is broad and comprehensive. It examines data management procedures, governance structures, staff roles and qualifications, departmental capacity, and client data handling.”

Industry Perspective on ISO Certification

Moses Clive Ogwe, Country Representative and Auditor at Finecert, the ISO certification and training body that conducted the assessment, said ISO standards are designed to ensure organisations remain aligned with global best practices.

“ISO is the global body responsible for developing international standards that guide how organisations operate,” Ogwe explained. “These standards are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changing technologies and market demands.”

Ogwe noted that ISO certification is not sector-specific, but rather tailored to the nature of each organisation. “Every organisation is a potential candidate for ISO certification because the standards are adapted to each business. Whether you are in IT, manufacturing, or services, there are specific ISO standards that apply,” he said.

On what the certification means for Milima Security, Ogwe added: “For Milima Security, obtaining ISO 27001 means clients can be confident that their data is handled in accordance with international best practices. It also establishes Milima as an internationally recognised and credible brand.”

Internal Leadership and Implementation

The certification process at Milima Security was led internally by Emmanuel Chepkwurui, a Security Analyst at the firm who also served as Project Lead and Senior Information Security Officer (SISO) for ISO 27001.

“The SISO is the chief custodian of the ISO 27001 framework within an organisation,” Chepkwurui explained. “My role was to ensure that information security processes, standards, and procedures were properly implemented across all company operations.”

Chepkwurui said the final certification phase took approximately three months, following earlier work on policy design and system development. “We conducted internal audits to ensure our systems aligned with ISO requirements, and we carried out intensive staff training to make sure everyone understood their role in information security,” he said.

He added that while Milima Security already had internal security policies before certification, ISO 27001 helped formalise and strengthen existing practices. “Our policies were already closely aligned with ISO standards, which made the certification process smoother. In many ways, ISO 27001 formalised practices we were already implementing.”

A Game Changer for Market Access

According to Chagara, ISO/IEC 27001 is increasingly a requirement rather than an option for companies seeking to work with large institutions. “Many large organisations—both local and international—require ISO 27001 as a prerequisite for engagement. Institutions such as the Bank of Uganda, MTN, and several government ministries often demand it,” he said.

This positions Milima Security to serve enterprise-level clients and expand into new markets across Africa and Europe, where compliance with international standards is critical.

Chagara said the certification reflects Milima Security’s long-term commitment to secure and responsible growth. “We are not here for the short term. We are in this for the long run,” he said. “This certification demonstrates our capability, our commitment, and our willingness to go the extra mile for our clients.”

Milima Security views ISO/IEC 27001 as a foundation for scaling its services while maintaining trust, resilience, and confidence across borders. Milima Security provides Managed Security Services Programmes (MSSP), information security audits, risk management, and cyber resilience solutions to organisations across multiple sectors in Uganda and the wider East African region.