Celebrating Cybersecurity Excellence: Nominations Now Open for the 2024 Security Serious Awards
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Eskenzi PR has opened nominations for the ninth annual Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards, celebrating UK cybersecurity professionals who protect the digital landscape. Categories include Cyber Writer, Data Guardian, and Diversity Champion. The awards, sponsored by industry leaders, will be held on 16th October 2024 at St Barts Brewery, London. Nominations close on 6th September 2024.
Eskenzi PR has announced that nominations are now open for the ninth annual Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards. This event celebrates the dedicated cybersecurity professionals, educators, leaders, and advocates who work tirelessly to protect the UK's digital landscape. Key sponsors include KnowBe4, Hornetsecurity, ThinkCyber, Pulse Conferences, and The Zensory. The awards also receive support from media partners such as Computer Weekly, Security On Screen, and the IT Security Guru.
Rebecca Taylor, Threat Intelligence Knowledge Manager at Secureworks and 2023 Diversity Champion winner added, “I am delighted to be a judge for this year's Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards. Winning ‘Diversity Champion’ in 2023 was a game changer for me, not only opening doors to new opportunities and relationships but giving me the confidence to keep pushing hard in my career, and for diversity, equity and inclusion across cybersecurity. I am excited to pass this - and the joy that comes with the awards - on. I cannot wait to see the amazing pool of nominees and I am sure it will be no easy task whittling them down to the finalists! Please do nominate, whether it be an amazing individual, an organisation, or a self-nomination! All those making a difference in cyber deserve to be seen, heard, appreciated and celebrated.”
Recognising the hidden heroes of cybersecurity
The Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards aim to highlight the contributions of those who often work behind the scenes to ensure the safety and security of businesses and the public. The awards categories span a diverse range of roles within the cybersecurity field, including educators fostering future talent, front-line defenders combating cybercrime, and mentors guiding peers. Special recognition is given to those promoting inclusivity (Diversity Champion) and prioritising the wellbeing of colleagues (Cybersecurity Wellbeing Advocate).
Entries are now open, requiring a short form detailing why the nominee deserves the award. The nomination window will close at 5 pm on the 6th of September 2024. Submissions will be reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges.
Javvad Malik, the lead security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, highlighted the importance of the event, stating, “We look forward to sponsoring these awards every year to draw attention to the work that the industry and end-user organisations are doing throughout the year to educate employees and raise awareness among the public around dealing with cyber threats. In a year that’s been marked by yet more ransomware attacks, rampant phishing campaigns and the gaining pace of AI, it’s a welcome reprieve to celebrate the efforts made to keep the UK a safer place to do business.”
Esteemed panel of judges and celebratory event
The panel for this year’s awards includes distinguished industry figures such as:
- Jenny Radcliffe, author and renowned people hacker
- Shan Lee, CISO at DocPlanner Group and 2023 CISO Supremo winner
- Yvonne Eskenzi, lead organiser and director of Eskenzi PR
- Javvad Malik, lead security awareness advocate at KnowBe4
- Rebecca Taylor, Threat Intelligence Knowledge Manager at Secureworks and 2023 Diversity Champion winner
- Tim Ward, CEO of ThinkCyber
Nominees, nominators, and their guests are invited to a celebratory evening on the 16th of October 2024 at St Barts Brewery in London, coinciding with Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Thanks to the sponsors, the Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards are free to enter and attend, distinguishing them from other industry accolades.
Yvonne Eskenzi, Co-Founder and Director at Eskenzi PR, remarked, “People are, and always have been, at the heart of the cybersecurity industry. However, with so many threats and so much technological development, it can be easy to lose sight of the great people behind the scenes keeping us all safe. The cybersecurity community is full of people who are passionate about keeping businesses and the public safe from the threat of cybercrime, at any cost, and it’s important that we celebrate them as the heroes that they are. The Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards are a brilliant way for us to give back to and celebrate the efforts of the cybersecurity community.”
Award categories and sponsorships
This year’s Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards features a diverse range of categories, recognising excellence across various facets of cybersecurity. The awards include Cyber Writer, Godparent of Security, Data Guardian, and the prestigious CISO Supremo, sponsored by Hornetsecurity. Other categories are Security Avengers – Best Team, Best Educator, Best Ethical Hacker/Pentester, and Rising Star. Additionally, the awards celebrate outstanding contributions in Security Mentor and Best Security Awareness Campaign, sponsored by KnowBe4, as well as recognising the Diversity Champion and Cybersecurity Wellbeing Advocate, sponsored by The Zensory.
Irvin Shillingford, Regional Manager of Northern Europe at Hornetsecurity, expressed, “We are pleased to be supporting this year's Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards. It's important that we come together as a community to celebrate the incredible individuals and teams who keep us safe. We're particularly proud to be sponsoring the 2024 CISO Supremo category. CISOs are at the forefront of keeping organisations safe but are under increasing pressure. It's imperative that we recognise the exceptional work that these individuals do to protect their organisations and the wider public.”
Tim Ward, CEO of ThinkCyber, said: "I'm delighted that ThinkCyber is sponsoring this year's Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards. These awards highlight the incredible efforts of cybersecurity professionals who tirelessly work behind the scenes to protect our digital world. At ThinkCyber, we believe in the power of recognition and the importance of celebrating those who make our industry stronger, more secure, and more inclusive. It is an honour to be part of this initiative that shines a light on the true heroes of cybersecurity."
With a driving passion to create a relatable content, Pallavi progressed from writing as a freelancer to full-time professional. Science, innovation, technology, economics are very few (but not limiting) fields she zealous about. Reading, writing, and teaching are the other activities she loves to get involved beyond content writing for intelligenthq.com, citiesabc.com, and openbusinesscouncil.org
