Eskenzi PR has today opened nominations for its eighth annual Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards. The awards are all about celebrating the UK’s cybersecurity professionals, teachers, lecturers, leaders and those working to make the industry not only more secure, but also more diverse and healthier for employees. Key sponsors include KnowBe4 and Decipher Cyber, as well as Bora and the Zensory.
Whether educating the next generation of cyber talent or the public, fighting cybercrime on the frontlines or mentoring a peer, the Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards acknowledge the people who go above and beyond to keep us safe online. In addition, the awards recognise the individuals who promote greater diversity and inclusion (Diversity Champion), as well as look after the well-being of colleagues/peers (Cybersecurity Wellbeing Advocate, sponsored by The Zensory).
Entries are now open, which includes filling in a short form detailing why the person deserves the award. Nominations will remain open until 5pm on the 8th of September 2023, before closing for review by an esteemed panel of judges.
Judges include author and world-renowned people hacker, Jenny Radcliffe; CISO at DocPlanner Group, Shan Lee; Holly Foxcroft, head of neurodiversity in cyber research and consulting at Stott & May Consulting; lead organiser and director of Eskenzi PR, Yvonne Eskenzi; Javvad Malik, lead security awareness advocate at KnowBe4; and Alan Jenkins, managing partner at Decipher Cyber.
“We look forward to sponsoring these awards every year to highlight the good work that the industry and end-user organisations are doing throughout the year to educate employees as well as raise awareness among the public around cyber threats and how to deal with them. In a year that’s been marked by more ransomware attacks, rampant phishing campaigns targeting peoples’ charitable nature as well as 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,” said Javvad Malik, lead security awareness advocate at KnowBe4.
Nominees and their guests are then invited to a celebratory evening hosted on the 18th of October 2023 at St Barts Brewery in London to coincide with Cybersecurity Awareness Month. With thanks to our sponsors, the Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards are free to enter and to attend, setting it apart from other industry awards.
“With the advancements of technology recently, it’s easy to forget that, ultimately, in any sector people are at the core. The cybersecurity community abounds with individuals who are passionate about keeping their businesses and the public safe from the threat of cybercrime. And just as important, there are those who better the community from within by improving diversity and inclusion or advocate for the mental health and wellbeing of co-workers,” said Yvonne Eskenzi, co-founder and director at Eskenzi PR. “The Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards are a brilliant way for us to give back to and celebrate the efforts of the cybersecurity community!”
Alan Jenkins, Managing Partner, Advisory Services, Decipher Cyber commented on the importance of the awards: “We’re pleased to be supporting this worthy event to celebrate some of the many Unsung Heroes & Heroines in our Industry. And also mindful of the need to encourage others to join and indeed continue to fight the good fight that goes with the ‘Always On’ nature of our work. We are stronger together!”
Jasmine Eskenzi, Founder of The Zensory noted: “Dealing with cyber threats can feel a bit relentless at times, with many recent studies reporting a significant uptick in burnout among cybersecurity professionals. It’s important that mental health and wellbeing is looked after for all employees, but particularly in this sector as these are the people defending us online. Protecting organisations from cyber threats can feel like a thankless task at times, so it’s crucial that we celebrate those who are doing incredible things. Employees perform better when their minds and bodies are looked after and the winner of this award will be a fantastic example for others to follow.”
Categories this year include:
- Cyber Writer (Sponsored by Bora)
- Godparent of Security
- Data Guardian
- CISO Supremo
- Security Avengers – Best Team
- Best Educator
- Best Ethical Hacker/Pentester
- Rising Star
- Security Mentor
- Best Security Awareness Campaign (sponsored by KnowBe4)
- Diversity Champion
- Cybersecurity Wellbeing Advocate (sponsored by The Zensory)
For more information, visit: https://www.securityserious.com/unsung-heroes/
To nominate, visit: https://forms.gle/uUfSTPp3pUpiYpsXA
