Covid changed the cyber security awards landscape. Awards that were up until recently granted during physical events took a backseat for virtual ceremonies. As we mark 2 years of a new reality, this is a good time to stop and reassess the state of cyber security awards.
We publish our list of top 10 cyber security awards to help cyber security solution providers focus their efforts on effective PR and brand activities. Awards are ranked by reputation, production value, inclusivity, and integrity.
The top 10 cyber security awards will help security solution providers focus their efforts on effective PR and brand activities.
1. SC Magazine Awards
2022 marks 25 years of SC Magazine's Awards program. This makes it one of the most established awards in the industry. SC is known for its esteem panel of judges that includes security and thought leaders from diverse professional backgrounds. Winners are announced in a black-tie event and on the digital publication. The award program takes places in two regions:
SC Europe - The ceremony is held in London, and to apply, entrants must be carrying out work somewhere in Europe.
SC USA – The ceremony takes place during InfoSec World Conference in Orlando, and to apply, organizations and individuals need to have current operations in U.S. or Canada.
2. CRN Channel
With 2 million monthly visitors and 40 years strong, CRN is one of the most established IT trade magazines out there. It is a media brand you want to be recognized with.
CRN Channel Awards UK - A highly reputed award in the IT channel. It honors the best vendors, resellers and distributors in the UK, including the security vendor of the year. The night of the ceremony if a prestigious black-tie event and award party that lasts until late at the night.
CRN Channel US – The US magazine deals less with a single award in a venue, and rather rankings and lists. CRN’s lists usually focus on the US market and include 100 or more leading companies in different categories. For security vendors there are many opportunities to appear in cool lists such as Emerging Vendor, Security 100 and Tech Innovator.
3. National Cyber Awards
The National Cyber Awards honors the UK’s private and public sectors for innovation. The award ceremony is a black-tie event and dinner that include the attendance of some high-profile public figures.
What makes this event stand out is the pursuit of impartiality: Entrees are free, sponsors submit their nominations like everyone else, and the esteemed judges come from industry-leading organizations in different sectors.
4. SINET16 Innovator Award
SINET16 is a community of senior cyber security professionals who gather to identify and advance disruptive innovations from entrepreneurial companies. SINET 16 Innovator Award introduces the 16 most innovative cyber security companies as determined by SINET’s steering committee.
The evaluation process consists of 3 months and 2 rounds of evaluations by a committee of over 100 industry experts. To be eligible, a company must be a product provider, have annual revenues of $15 Million dollars or less, and have not previously won the SINET16 Innovator Award.
5. CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards
CyberSecurity Breakthrough is a market intelligence platform for global technology innovation and leadership. The CyberSecurity Breakthrough award program is entering its sixth year. The main criterion for the judges’ evaluation is “how does your company or product break through the crowded cybersecurity market?”. Nominees are evaluated by their innovation in Cloud Security, Threat Detection, Risk Management, Fraud Prevention, Mobile Security, Web and Email Security, UTM, Firewall and more.
6. The ASTROS
Now entering its 8th year, the ASTROS Awards by American Security Today (AST) has a different color than the rest of our list (i.e., red, white, and blue) as it is a US Homeland awards program. Finalists and winners of this program benefit from being recognized on AST’s digital publication of over 20,000 subscribers. The ceremony is an annual presentation luncheon in New York City.
7. Fortress Cyber Security Awards
The Business Intelligence Group (BIG) has been around for 10 years, rewarding creativity, vision, and persistence. For security solution providers, Fortress Cyber Security Awards is the group’s premier award. Organizations of all sizes and from all countries can nominate themselves for their performances in the last 12 months. The judging process is based on representatives from the industry who volunteer to evaluate nominations.
8. InfoSec Awards
Cyber Defense Magazine’s award program is celebrating its 10th year in 2022. The program includes several awards such as Black Unicorns, top 10 security startups, and top 10 security experts. The InfoSec Awards global and open to all infosec categories, company sizes, and countries. Unlike most awards, InfoSec award winners are announced during major cyber security events such as RSAC and BlackHat.
9. Security Excellence Awards
The Security Excellence Awards by Computing recognizes outstanding solution providers, projects, individuals, and distributors. The nomination process is free and relatively simple, with explicit judging criteria and a short submission form. The classy pre-Covid awards ceremony was replaced with a virtual ceremony.
10. Security Global Excellence Awards
For 18 years the Security Global Excellence Awards by Globee has been honoring achievements in security, regardless of company size or location. In addition to achievements in cyber capabilities and technology, Globee evaluates categories in the wider ecosystem of the solution provider including sales and marketing, human resources, and customer service. Winners receive their awards during a virtual ceremony.