CATEGORIES & CRITERIA
Important information
All categories are FREE TO ENTER
Entrants will be asked to submit a 200-word summary, an 800-word entry that fulfils the stated objectives for each category and a 300-word UK-based case study.
Submissions will be accepted via the online entry system only.
All information submitted is used for judging and won'[t be shared outside the judging process.
Please read on for further information on each category and application criteria. The deadline for entering is Friday 31 January 2025, 11:55pm GMT.
For any queries, please get in touch with Yasmin Ansari
**NEW!** Endpoint Security Solution Award
Strong endpoint security and end-to-end encryption which doesn't upset end users is a tricky balance to get right - but companies must protect their data and intellectual property.
The winning solution will show how it secures corporate resources despite the lack of network perimeter, whilst enabling productive users and lightening the load on cybersecurity teams with minimal 'noise.'
**NEW!** AI Security Solution Award
The winner of this award could be a vendor or partner which has demonstrated real innovation to deliver a compelling cybersecurity solution which combines AI, machine learning or automation.
The winner will be able to showcase how their solution will boosts resilience, mitigates risk and protects business and employee data, without compromising productivity. Judges will be looking for innovation and proof of effectiveness.
**NEW!** Enterprise Security Solution Award
All businesses are under almost constant cyber attack, from low-level scattergun attacks to more targeted, sophisticated strategies. Modern infrastructure is complex, often with extensive cloud apps and platforms. The attack surface is wide, and enterprise security tools such as SIEM, SASE, DLP or IAM (just to give a few examples) must help organisations prevent, identify and mitigate risks.
Judges are looking for real-world examples of the technology in action so strong case studies are a must.
Security Vendor of the Year
While large firms struggle with complex environments, SMEs face their own challenges. They are often forced to make do with ageing infrastructure and legacy systems, and may be unable or unwilling to protect against new threats. This prize will go to the company who can best aid SMEs in their constant battle to avoid becoming the ‘low-hanging fruit’ of cybersecurity. This category defines a large organisation as a firm employing fewer than 250 employees.
Backup, Recovery and DLP Award
It’s no longer enough to build a wall around your network; at some point, you must accept that attackers will get in. While backup, recovery and DLP systems will vary in their approach, they all aim to block or mitigate data loss and the damaging effects of ransomware. We are looking for more than a description of a product’s capabilities here: you must include evidence of the product’s use in the real world, with customer stories.
Security Innovation of the Year
The security industry and its products are continually evolving, as it keeps pace with the new tricks and tactics developed by hackers to attack corporate networks. This award will be given to the product or service which demonstrates something truly new and original. Customer stories are a must; entries that do not include an example of real-world use, preferably in the UK, will be disqualified.
Cloud Security Award
Businesses are increasingly turning to the cloud for its flexibility and scalability. But security fears are often cited as the main barrier to cloud adoption.
Judging Criteria:
Functionality
Competitive Differentiation
Adoption
SME Security Solution Award
Small-to-medium enterprises have a different set of considerations than larger enterprises, and SMEs are also becoming absolutely prime targets to malicious agents. The cost of large and expensive security offerings can often make SMEs feel priced out of the market, so in this category we're looking at affordable services that still offer the range and scope of security coverage any larger organisation typically enjoys.
Network Security Award
Cyber criminals are using ever more sophisticated methods to attack corporate networks. In the game of cat and mouse between security firms and hackers, only the most cutting edge of security products can offer the protection demanded by today's firms
Security Team of the Year
As either the full-time IT security team at an organisation or a special project team or task force set up for a specific project, your team will be blazing a trail of success as an example to others in the industry. A well-oiled unit with provable results, you'll show everybody else how it's done.
There is no judging criteria, please submit an 800 word free text entry.
Security Woman of the Year
This award is dedicated to recognising the talent, leadership and contribution of women in the IT industry. Whether working at the top level of security in an organisation, or as a key member of a team endeavour, we want to highlight exceptional women in the UK IT industry across the board.
There is no judging criteria, please submit an 500 word free text entry.
DevSecOps Award
Bringing together development and operations is becoming common in business; but security can be forgotten in the fast pace. This award will go to the team or business that most competently integrates security into their DevOps methodology.
Security Project of the Year
Security demands change quickly, and new innovations are always needed to counter emerging threats: it could be anything, from a new piece of software to a different approach to staff training. The award isn’t limited to a specific type of project, as long as it uses IT to benefit your organisation or clients. You must explain why you undertook the project, what it entailed and the end result; the winner will be determined based mainly on the project outcomes, not only the technology.
CISO/CSO of the Year
Every organisation has a head of security, and we'd like to find the UK's most effective security professional. You'll be knowledgable, respected and responsible for introducing business-changing security concepts and policies. You'll be an excellence ambassador for IT security throughout your organisation, and be a well-known wider industry figure along with it.
There is no judging criteria, please submit an 800 word free text entry.
Security Training Programme of the Year
The demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to exceed supply, despite the rising level of threats. This award will go to the company – not necessarily a specialist training provider – that is working to bring new people into the world of security through a dedicated training programme. These could be new graduates, or existing staff who want to retrain themselves. We will look for a description of the programme and who it is aimed at, as well as evidence of success.
AI Security Solution Award
The winner of this award could be a vendor or partner which has demonstrated real innovation to deliver a compelling cybersecurity solution which combines AI, machine learning or automation.
The winner will be able to showcase how their solution will boosts resilience, mitigates risk and protects business and employee data, without compromising productivity. Judges will be looking for innovation and proof of effectiveness.
Managed Security Award
Some organisations prefer to outsource some of their security responsibilities to the experts. Usually this involves round-the-clock monitoring of threats, and managing various security technologies.
Email Security Award
Email is now a common attack vector for cyber criminals, with techniques such as phishing and the more targeted spear-phishing regularly seen by firms of all sizes.
Security Rising Star
IT talent is widespread among younger people, and we want to discover the UK's most trendsetting young security professional. You'll be involved in key projects in your company, and work closely with the CISO and CSO on agenda-driving projects. You'll have expert and defined views on key security industry trends, and be pushing your own projects forward. You must include evidence of how your work has changed security for the better at your organisation.
This award is open to anyone in the security industry who is under 30 years old.
There is no judging criteria, please submit an 800 word free text entry.