2026 National Cyber Awards
2026 Finalists
Cyber Industry
This category recognises individuals, teams and organisations who are driving progress and innovation within the cyber industry. It celebrates professionals whose skills, leadership, and commitment across various sectors are helping to advance the field and protect the digital landscape. We encourage green cyber initiatives and inclusive cyber practices to be showcased within entries.
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Critical National Infrastructure Award
Supported by Palo Alto Networks
This award recognises exceptional contributions to the protection and resilience of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). It honours individuals, teams, or organisations that have demonstrated excellence in safeguarding the systems and services essential to the nation’s security and well-being.
Vendors may submit a joint entry, provided the partnered business or public sector organisation remains the primary focus of the submission.
Vendors may submit a joint entry, provided the partnered business or public sector organisation remains the primary focus of the submission.
CybExer: Nato-grade Cyber Defence for UK and Allied Critical National Infrastructure
Cyro Cyber
Darktrace: Crimson Echo - Understanding Chinese Nexus Cyber Tradecraft Through Behavioural Analysis
Moore Kingston Smith: Securing the UK's Nuclear Operational Technology
NHS England
Yorkshire Water: Project Drawbridge
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Enterprise Consultancy of the Year
This award has been created in collaboration with The Cyber Scheme.
A cybersecurity consultancy typically offering specialised expertise and guidance on cybersecurity strategy, risk and compliance and technical solutions, working on specific projects and providing recommendations. Consultants working for these organisations often have deep technical knowledge and help organisations identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and improve their overall security posture.
This award recognises the contribution made by an Enterprise Consultancy (minimum 10 security dedicated employees) or an organisation with an integrated division (minimum 10 security dedicated employees), offering services or solutions (not products) enabling clients to identify problems, through evaluating security issues, assessing risk, and implementing solutions to address vulnerabilities, in a company’s computer networks and computer systems.
A cybersecurity consultancy typically offering specialised expertise and guidance on cybersecurity strategy, risk and compliance and technical solutions, working on specific projects and providing recommendations. Consultants working for these organisations often have deep technical knowledge and help organisations identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and improve their overall security posture.
This award recognises the contribution made by an Enterprise Consultancy (minimum 10 security dedicated employees) or an organisation with an integrated division (minimum 10 security dedicated employees), offering services or solutions (not products) enabling clients to identify problems, through evaluating security issues, assessing risk, and implementing solutions to address vulnerabilities, in a company’s computer networks and computer systems.
Arcanum Information Security
Baringa Partners
Cyro Cyber
Prism Infosec Ltd
Xypher
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Financial Services Award
An open award to any individual or team that operates within the financial services sector. This includes accountancy firms, banks, and financial teams within B2B or B2C organisations.
Barclays Corporate Banking: Cyber Resilience Proposition
Barclays Eagle Labs: Lead Operator of the Greater Manchester Digital Security Hub
Financial Conduct Authority: The Security Expertise and Advisory Team
Metro Bank: The first AI Scam Checker in the World
NFU: Threat to Trust Framework
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Innovation Award
Supported by Accenture
This award recognises a cybersecurity product or solution that has demonstrated significant impact since entering the market. Open to innovations of any scale, whether commercial or non-commercial, the award celebrates creativity, effectiveness, and the tangible difference the product has made in enhancing cyber resilience, security operations, or risk management.
Castlepoint Systems: Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence
CybExer: Integrated Scoring and Awareness (ISA) The Backbone of the World's Largest Cyber Exercises
Illumio
KPMG CRI: Cyber Risk Insights
ThreatAware: Cyber Asset Attack Surface Management Platform
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MSP of the Year
This award has been created in collaboration with The Cyber Scheme.
Managed Service Providers (MSP) in the UK acting as ongoing outsourced IT departments. Their primary focus lies in managing and monitoring an institution’s IT infrastructure, for example security systems, network devices, software, and data backups. This award recognises a Managed Service Provider offering an innovative approach to the management of a customer’s information technology (IT) infrastructure and end-user systems, such as servers, networks, storage, and cloud infrastructure.
Managed Service Providers (MSP) in the UK acting as ongoing outsourced IT departments. Their primary focus lies in managing and monitoring an institution’s IT infrastructure, for example security systems, network devices, software, and data backups. This award recognises a Managed Service Provider offering an innovative approach to the management of a customer’s information technology (IT) infrastructure and end-user systems, such as servers, networks, storage, and cloud infrastructure.
CyberOne
Cyro Cyber
Defense.com
Jisc: Managed Services
Socura
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Not For Profit
An open award to any charity or not for profit organisation for work in protecting citizens online.
Citizens Advice Northumberland: Resilience in the Third Sector
CxB: Cyber Governance for Boards
CyberWomen Groups C.I.C
CyNam: Representing Gloucestershire's Cyber Ecosystem
The Cyber Helpline
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Professional Services Award
This award recognises outstanding contributions from professional services organisations including law firms, insurers, and related advisory firms that have demonstrated excellence in supporting the cybersecurity ecosystem. It celebrates organisations that combine sector expertise with innovative approaches to managing cyber risk, protecting clients, and enhancing overall cyber resilience.
Beazley: Full Spectrum Cyber
FTI Consulting Cybersecurity
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: From Resilience to Response
Stephenson Harwood LLP
Trowers & Hamlins
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Security Team of the Year
This award recognises an outstanding cybersecurity team that exemplifies excellence across risk management, governance, security culture, incident response, threat management or technical operations. This can be an in-house team, a consultancy team, or a specific project team.
It celebrates teams demonstrating exceptional collaboration, visionary leadership, sustainable growth, and meaningful contributions to the cybersecurity industry.
Vendors may submit a joint entry, provided the supported business or public sector organisation remains the primary focus of the submission.
It celebrates teams demonstrating exceptional collaboration, visionary leadership, sustainable growth, and meaningful contributions to the cybersecurity industry.
Vendors may submit a joint entry, provided the supported business or public sector organisation remains the primary focus of the submission.
Aflac NI: Global Security Team
Aston University and Forensic Pathways: CyberDIVA - Dark Web Investigation of Violence and Abuse
AWE: Supply Chain Security Team
Outbreach: Whole-Crisis Cyber Incident Response
Queen Mary: Infosecurity Team
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SME Consultancy of the Year
Supported by Trowers & Hamlins
This award has been created in collaboration with The Cyber Scheme.
A cybersecurity consultancy typically offering specialised expertise and guidance on cybersecurity strategy, risk and compliance and technical solutions, working on specific projects and providing recommendations. Consultants working for these organisations often have deep technical knowledge and help organisations identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and improve their overall security posture.
This award recognises the contribution made by a small-medium consultancy, (maximum 5 security-dedicated employees) or an organisation with an integrated division (maximum 5 security-dedicated employees), offering services or solutions (not products) enabling clients to identify problems, through evaluating security issues, assessing risk, and implementing solutions to address vulnerabilities, in a company’s computer networks and computer systems.
A cybersecurity consultancy typically offering specialised expertise and guidance on cybersecurity strategy, risk and compliance and technical solutions, working on specific projects and providing recommendations. Consultants working for these organisations often have deep technical knowledge and help organisations identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and improve their overall security posture.
This award recognises the contribution made by a small-medium consultancy, (maximum 5 security-dedicated employees) or an organisation with an integrated division (maximum 5 security-dedicated employees), offering services or solutions (not products) enabling clients to identify problems, through evaluating security issues, assessing risk, and implementing solutions to address vulnerabilities, in a company’s computer networks and computer systems.
Avella Security Ltd
GSG Consultancy: Specialist cyber security support for trade unions and non-profit organisations
Hampden Consultancy Group: Scaling Security Across UK Government and Critical National Infrastructure
KEYSIGMA
Punk Security
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Startup in Cyber Award
An open award for any business, initiative, service or product that is innovative and ground breaking.
Guardian Compass: Making the Digital World Safer for Families
OSSPREY
Refute: Fighting disinformation, detecting and responding to campaigns at the speed of the attackers.
Sirius Computer: Crux
The Hacking Games: Adversary Simulation Powered by Gen Z Hacking Behaviour
Cyber Leaders
This category highlights individuals making a significant impact in the cybersecurity industry. It recognises leaders, innovators, and rising stars whose dedication, expertise, and efforts are shaping the future of cyber. We encourage green cyber initiatives and inclusive cyber practices to be showcased within entries.
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Alan Turing Cyber Leadership Award
Supported by Fortinet
An open award, supported by Sir Dermot Turing, recognising a senior technical leader who has made a significant contribution to the digital safety of society.
This accolade honours those whose technical expertise, leadership, and strategic influence have advanced cyber resilience and strengthened the security of the digital ecosystem.
This accolade honours those whose technical expertise, leadership, and strategic influence have advanced cyber resilience and strengthened the security of the digital ecosystem.
Adrian Cunningham
Mike Wawro
Professor Alice Hutchings
Steven Fry
Tom Pepper
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Cyber Citizen of the Year
Supported by BAE Systems
The Cyber Citizen of the Year Award is the most prestigious honour of the evening, recognising an individual who has made an outstanding and enduring contribution to the cyber sector.
Presented as a lifetime achievement accolade, this award is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional influence, leadership, and impact over the course of their career.
Nominations are able to be submitted for this award, alongside candidates put forward by our Advisory Board.
Presented as a lifetime achievement accolade, this award is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional influence, leadership, and impact over the course of their career.
Nominations are able to be submitted for this award, alongside candidates put forward by our Advisory Board.
Dr Catherine Knibbs
Emma Fadlon
Irfan Hemani
Martin Smith MBE FSyl
Zain Javed
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Cyber Diversity Award
Supported by QA
An open award to any individual, team or organisation who promote diversity and inclusivity either through reputation, product, or trading.
Alfac NI: Embedding diversity and inclusion at the core
Aliyu Yisa
CyberWomen Groups C.I.C
Rebecca Taylor
Seidea CIC: Building the Pathway into Cybersecurity for Underrepresented Women
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Emerging Talent Award
An open award that aims to identify and honour individuals who not only excel in their current endeavors but also show promise for shaping the future of cybersecurity.
Anahitha Vijay
Dr Muhammad Usman Hadi
Joe Wells
Matthew Tomlinson
Shanita Sojan
Education & Skills
This category honours those who champion cybersecurity education and learning, as well as those who are in education that have gone above and beyond who deserve recognition for their dedication to education in cyber.
It also recognises academic institutions and organisations who are driving innovation in teaching, training, or awareness initiatives that inspire and equip the next generation of cybersecurity talent.
We encourage green cyber initiatives and inclusive cyber practices to be showcased within entries.
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Cyber Awareness Award
Supported by ISACA
This award recognises companies and internal teams that provide training and/or awareness programmes aimed at making staff more cyber aware and embedding strong cyber hygiene practices across the organisation. It also encompasses training and certification organisations that support Infosec professionals at all levels, from entry to expert.
CyberExer: From Schoolroom to Nato - Building Cyber Defenders at Every Stage
Information Commissioners Office: Cyber Profession Pathway
Office for National Statistics: Security Culture
The Cyber Marathon: 24 Hours of Free Cyber Awareness for All
West Midlands Cyber Hub: Strengthening Cyber Resilience Through Community Collaboration
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Educator of the Year
This award recognises an outstanding individual or organisation that has made a significant impact in cybersecurity education and training.
The award honours innovative teaching approaches, measurable impact on learners, and a commitment to advancing cyber knowledge, skills, and awareness across all levels of education and professional development.
This award is open to educational institutions such as schools, universities, colleges and specialised training organisations, as well as individuals within organisations of this type who inspire, develop, and equip the pipeline of cyber talent.
The award honours innovative teaching approaches, measurable impact on learners, and a commitment to advancing cyber knowledge, skills, and awareness across all levels of education and professional development.
This award is open to educational institutions such as schools, universities, colleges and specialised training organisations, as well as individuals within organisations of this type who inspire, develop, and equip the pipeline of cyber talent.
Gloucestershire College
Helen Heggie: Cyber Fairtytales by STEMFirst
Jamie O'Hare: Lecturer and Programme Leader for BSc Ethical Hacking at Abertay University
Stephen Duncan: UHI Inverness, Senior Computing Lecturer and Personal Academic Tutor
The Open University
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Student of the Year
Supported by BAE Systems
An open award to anyone studying at a recognised educational Institution. There is no minimum age to apply and nominations are encouraged from those who are neurodiverse and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Artem Polovnev
Becky Stacey
Katy Harrington
Keleigh Crawford Berenger
Dr Sandisha Drepaul
Public Sector
This category recognises achievements in cybersecurity within the public sector and governance.
It honours individuals, initiatives, projects, or teams that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in protecting public services, infrastructure, and data. The category highlights efforts to enhance resilience, improve security protocols, and promote innovation in cybersecurity within government agencies and public institutions.
We encourage green cyber initiatives and inclusive cyber practices to be showcased within entries.
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Ministry of Defence Award
Supported by Ministry of Defence
A closed award at the discretion of the Ministry of Defence for an individual or team across the whole estate both military and civilian who have made a significant contribution to Cyber.
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National Crime Agency (NCA) award
Supported by National Crime Agency
A closed award designed for employees, contractors and partners of the National Crime Agency due to the sensitive and secret nature of their work.
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NHS England Award
Supported by NHS England
A closed award at the discretion of NHS England for any individual or team that has made a significant contribution to the cyber safety of the NHS.
Cyber Security Team: South London and Maudsley NHS Trust
Cyber, IG and IT Teams: South Central Ambulance Service
Kiki Matharu
Martin Price
Monique Botha
Raz Akbar
Vicky Axon
Yash Manipatruni
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NPCC Commissioners Choice Award
Supported by NPCC
A closed award at the discretion of the National Police Chiefs Council for an individual or team who have made a significant contribution to the Cyber and Online Safety space.
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Policing Individual of the Year
An open award for an outstanding individual in the Policing and Law Enforcement sector who has contributed to the Cyber and Online Safety space.
Bryan, Kavanagh: Operation Bluejay
Kate Jaglall
Mark Agnew: Operation Balloonsville
Moninder Dhanjal
PC Emma Davies
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Policing Team of the Year
An open award for an outstanding team in the Policing and Law Enforcement sector who has contributed to the Cyber and Online Safety space.
Intervention, Prevention and Learning Team: West Midlands Police
NCCU Cyber Engineering
NCCU Cyber PREVENT
Tarian Cyber & Economic 3P Engagement Team
YHROCU 3P Cyber Crime Team
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Supporters & partners.
Our sponsors are the heartbeat of this event; quite simply, without their support, The National Cyber Awards would not exist today. Supporting this event enables us to dismantle the traditional barriers to entry, maintaining a completely free nomination process, ensuring that every deserving voice has a chance to be heard, regardless of their resources. Because of them, we are able to execute an event of this prestige, creating a world-class stage to recognise and give back to the community that inspires us every day.
