Frequently Asked Questions

• About the Awards

  Welcome to the 2026 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards

  Now in its second decade, the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards recognize the companies, products, and professionals shaping the future of cybersecurity. Presented by Cybersecurity Insiders and backed by a community of 600,000+ security practitioners, the program has honored 500+ winners across more than 100+ categories since its inception. Past winners include industry leaders like Zscaler, Fortinet, and Palo Alto Networks alongside hundreds of fast-growing innovators across every segment of the market.

  Organizations, products, and professionals across every segment of cybersecurity are eligible to participate worldwide. Both self-nominations and nominations on behalf of others are welcome. Whether you’re showcasing a breakthrough product, highlighting your organization’s security leadership, or honoring the professionals driving real impact, you’ll find a category that fits.

  What Recognition Delivers

  For over a decade, the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards have served as an independent benchmark for buyers, analysts, and investors evaluating cybersecurity leadership. Recognition as a finalist or winner carries weight well beyond the award itself — it signals to the market that your solution, team, or leadership stands among the best in the industry.

  Winners have been featured in Dark Reading, SC Magazine, and Forbes, and regularly leverage their status in press releases, analyst briefings, investor decks, sales conversations, RFP responses, and at global industry events including RSA Conference and Black Hat.

  Every nomination includes a dedicated profile page in our searchable awards directory with logo, product images, and website links to strengthen SEO presence. Social promotion across LinkedIn, X, and Facebook amplifies each nomination to a high-value cybersecurity audience.

  Winners receive an official award badge with a perpetual, worldwide license for use across websites, sales decks, marketing campaigns, and regional offices globally. Award certificates are provided for each winning nomination, and premium plaques and trophies are available through higher-tier packages. A winner toolkit with press release templates, social media assets, and promotional best practices helps nominees make the most of their recognition.

  How Winners Are Selected

  The program recognizes excellence through two independent tracks, each with its own evaluation method and announcement timeline.

  Jury Awards — Announced in March before RSA Conference. All categories (except Community Choice Awards) are evaluated independently by our panel of expert judges using structured, merit-based criteria. Entries are judged within peer groups by company size, geography, and category, ensuring that winners are measured against true peers rather than the entire market. This segmented approach means recognition reflects genuine leadership within your competitive context. Social engagement and voting activity have no bearing on jury decisions. Neither sponsorship nor package selection influences outcomes.

  Community Choice Award — Announced in July before Black Hat. The Community Choice Awards is the one category decided entirely by the cybersecurity community. Every nomination automatically enters, and voting begins the moment a nomination is accepted. Each social share on a nomination’s page counts as one vote, giving nominees a direct way to rally their networks and demonstrate market support. Voting remains open through early July, giving every nominee a meaningful window to build community support. Winners are announced in mid-July, timed for maximum visibility ahead of Black Hat in Las Vegas.

  The two tracks measure different dimensions of excellence. Jury awards reflect expert evaluation of innovation, impact, and merit. Community Choice Awards reflects the breadth of peer support and market engagement a nomination can generate.

  2026 Awards Timeline

  The awards season spans two major industry moments:

  • Jury Award Winners Announced — Starting the week of March 9, 2026, ahead of RSA Conference in San Francisco
  • Community Choice Voting — Open from the moment of nomination acceptance through early July
  • Community Choice Winners Announced — Mid-July 2026, ahead of Black Hat in Las Vegas

   

  Entering early maximizes your Community Choice voting window. Nominees who submit in January or February accumulate months of social engagement before voting closes — a meaningful advantage that rewards early action. Late nominees benefit too: jury evaluation considers every nomination on its merits regardless of entry date, and the Community Choice voting window extends well beyond the jury announcement, giving every nominee real runway to build community support.

  [ Start Your Nomination ]

  Winners in Action

  Award recognition translates directly into market visibility. Here’s how recent winners have put their awards to work:

  • Fortra — Announced Best Cybersecurity Company win via BusinessWire [Read Press Release]
  • Zimperium — Leveraged triple win in Mobile Security for investor communications [Read Press Release]
  • Lattice Semiconductor — Promoted multiple wins across Embedded Security and Network Security categories [Read Press Release]
  • TekStream — Highlighted Team of the Year recognition in recruiting materials [Read Press Release]

  Nomination Packages

  Nomination packages offer better economics for organizations entering multiple categories and optional recognition visibility to promote nominations directly to cybersecurity audiences. Higher-tier packages unlock additional opportunities including custom award categories, homepage and social channel features, and premium plaques and trophies. Package selection does not affect judging or guarantee any award outcome; all eligible nominations are evaluated against the same merit-based criteria regardless of package level.

  See more details in the 2026 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards Brochure

  Award Newsletter

  Subscribe to our Cybersecurity Excellence Awards newsletter to stay informed on deadlines, winner announcements, and recognition opportunities throughout the awards season.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  For additional details, see the FAQs below. If you have questions or feedback, the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards team is here to help.

   

  See more FAQs below ▼

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who Can Enter the Awards Program?

  The Cybersecurity Excellence Awards are open to all organizations, products, and individuals contributing to cybersecurity worldwide. Both self-nominations and nominations on behalf of others are welcome.
• What Award Categories Are Available?

  Nominations span four main groups: Cybersecurity Products and Services, Cybersecurity Companies, Cybersecurity Professionals, and Industry Solutions. Within these groups, more than 100 specific categories cover every major segment of the market.

  View all available categories →

  Can’t find the right category for your nomination? Contact us to propose a new category. Custom categories are also available through select nomination packages.
• How Do I Submit a Nomination?

  Step 1 — Register and Log In

  Visit the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards website. First-time users: click “Register” in the upper right corner to create an account. Returning users: click “Login” in the upper right corner. Once logged in, you’ll see options for “My Dashboard,” “User Profile,” and “Log out” in the upper right corner. If you’ve forgotten your password, click “Reset Password” on the login page.

  Step 2 — Select Your Award Category

  Click “Start Your Nomination” from the main menu. On the category selection page, choose your main award group from the upper dropdown (Cybersecurity Product/Service, Cybersecurity Company, Cybersecurity Industry Solution, or Cybersecurity Professional/Team). Then select the specific award category from the second dropdown and click “Next.”

  Can’t find your category? Use the search function on the category page. If your desired category doesn’t exist yet, contact us to propose a new one. Custom categories are also available through select nomination packages.

  Step 3 — Add Nomination Details

  Complete the nomination form with your entry title (nominee name, product name, or company name — keep this concise without added marketing language) and company details (company name, company size, HQ country, website, etc.).

  The most important part of the form is the nomination highlights section. Make sure your text directly addresses the category you’re nominating for. If you’re entering a “Fastest Growing Cybersecurity Company” category, include specific growth data. If it’s a product category, emphasize measurable outcomes and differentiation. There is also a confidential field for information you want to share with our judges only, which will not be published on the awards site.

  Upload up to three images (company logo, headshot, or product screenshots) to appear on your public nomination profile page. The first image becomes the main featured image. Click “Next” when complete.

  Step 4 — Review and Submit

  Review your nomination details before submission. You can click “Go Back” to make corrections, or edit later from your dashboard. Click “Submit Nomination” to officially submit your entry. This takes you to the checkout page to complete activation. If you plan to submit multiple nominations and prefer to select a nomination package first, you can skip checkout at this point and return to it later.

  Pro tip: Submitting multiple categories? Use the cloning icon in your dashboard to copy an existing nomination into a new submission within the same award group, then modify the details. This saves significant time for organizations entering several categories.

  Step 5 — Pay Your Nomination Fee and Activate

  There are two ways to pay, depending on whether you’re entering a single nomination or multiple categories:

  Path A — Pay as you go. After submitting your nomination, the checkout page appears automatically. Complete payment to activate your entry. This is the simplest option for a single nomination.

  Path B — Pre-pay a nomination package. If you plan to enter multiple categories, you can purchase a nomination package first from the Nomination Packages page before submitting your nominations. The package covers all entries included in that tier. After purchasing, submit your nominations through the normal process. You will still see a checkout page at the end of each submission — if you have already paid through a package, simply follow the link at the top of that page to your dashboard to see your submitted nominations. No additional payment is required.

  A third party (such as a finance team member or agency) can also pay on behalf of the nominee without needing to log in. For a single company/product nomination, direct them to the STARTER package on the Nomination Packages page. For an individual professional nomination, direct them to the Individual Professional Nomination option on the same page. For multiple nominations, the PLUS or PRO packages are available. After purchase, contact info@cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com to confirm which nominations the payment should cover.

  Once activated, nominations are typically reviewed and go live within 24 business hours. You’ll receive a confirmation email, and from that moment every social share on your nomination page counts as a vote toward the Community Choice Award.
• What Information Do I Need for Each Nomination?

  Download the PDFs containing all required fields for each award category: Product | Company | Professional

  Cybersecurity Professional Nomination

  • Name of nominated professional or team
  • Job title
  • Company, Website, Company size (employees)
  • Country, State, City
  • In less than 300 words, summarize the achievements in the nominated category
  • In 3 bullets, summarize why this professional or team deserves recognition
  • Images: Upload images of the professional and/or team. The first image becomes the featured image.

   

  Cybersecurity Product / Service Nomination

  • Company name, Website, Company size (employees), Country, State, City
  • Name of the Product / Solution / Service
  • Product Version Number, Type of solution
  • Year first introduced to the market; Year the current version was released
  • Approximate number of users worldwide
  • In less than 300 words, summarize the most important features and benefits
  • In 3 bullets, summarize why this product or service deserves recognition
  • Images: Upload company logo and product images. The first image becomes the featured image.

   

  Cybersecurity Company Nomination

  • Company name, Website, Company size (employees), Country, State, City
  • In less than 300 words, summarize the achievements in the nominated category
  • In 3 bullets, summarize why this company deserves recognition
  • Images: Upload company logo and images of office, team, etc. The first image becomes the featured image.
• Can I Nominate in Multiple Categories?

  Yes. Organizations often nominate across several categories to maximize recognition — for example, entering a product category alongside a company or professional category. Each category requires a separate submission form so judges can evaluate each nomination on its specific merits. Use the cloning icon in your dashboard to copy an existing nomination into a new submission within the same award group, then modify the details.

  Nomination packages offer better economics for multiple entries. See the Nomination Packages page for details.
• I’m Submitting Multiple Nominations — Should I Pay After Each One or Select a Package?

  For multiple category entries, purchasing a nomination package first is the most efficient approach. Packages offer better per-entry economics and include additional visibility benefits. Visit the Nomination Packages page to select and pay for your package, then submit your nominations through the normal process.

  After purchasing a package, you will still see a checkout page at the end of each nomination submission. If you have already paid through a package, you do not need to pay again — follow the link at the top of that page to your dashboard to confirm your submitted nominations. If you’re unsure whether your entries are covered, contact info@cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com and we will confirm.
• Can a Parent Company and Its Subsidiaries Both Enter?

  Yes. Parent companies, subsidiaries, and international entities can each submit nominations independently. Each is evaluated on its own merits within its peer group.
• What If My Nomination Doesn’t Fit Any Available Category?

  Innovative solutions often don’t fit existing categories. Contact us to propose a new category. Custom categories are also available through select nomination packages, allowing organizations to highlight specialized strengths.
• Can I Edit My Nomination After Submitting?

  Yes. Visit your dashboard to make changes (you must be logged in). After editing, the entry goes back into the approval queue and is typically re-approved within 24 business hours.
• Where Can I See the Status of My Nominations?

  Visit your dashboard to check the approval status or make changes (you must be logged in).

  After completing your nomination, you will receive a confirmation email that your nomination is pending. Please check your spam folder if it doesn’t arrive. Nominations are typically approved within 24 business hours. If you did not receive a confirmation email, please contact our support team.
• When Is the Nomination Deadline?

  Key dates for the 2026 awards season:

  • Nomination Deadline — February 21, 2026
  • Late Nominations — Accepted after the deadline through select nomination packages. See packages →
  • Jury Award Finalists Announced — Starting the week of March 2, 2026
  • Jury Award Winners Announced — Starting the week of March 9, 2026, ahead of RSA Conference in San Francisco
  • Community Choice Voting — Open from the moment of nomination acceptance through early July 2026
  • Community Choice Winners Announced — Mid-July 2026, ahead of Black Hat in Las Vegas

  Late nominations are evaluated by the jury on the same merit-based criteria as all other entries. Late nominees also automatically enter Community Choice with the full remaining voting window ahead of them.
• I Submitted Late — Will My Nomination Still Be Fully Considered?

  Yes. Every eligible nomination is evaluated by the jury on its merits regardless of submission date. Late nominees also automatically enter Community Choice, with voting open through early July. The extended Community Choice window means late entrants still have meaningful runway to build community support.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What Is the Community Choice Award?

  The Community Choice Award is the one category decided entirely by the cybersecurity community rather than the expert jury. Every nomination automatically enters Community Choice at no additional cost. Winners are determined solely by the number of social votes a nomination receives.

  Community Choice operates on its own timeline, separate from all jury-evaluated categories. Voting is open from the moment a nomination is accepted and runs through early July 2026. Winners are announced in mid-July 2026, timed for maximum visibility ahead of Black Hat in Las Vegas.

  Community Choice and jury awards measure different dimensions of excellence. Jury awards reflect expert evaluation of innovation, impact, and merit. Community Choice reflects the breadth of peer support and market engagement a nomination can generate. A nomination can win one, both, or neither.
• How Do I Vote for a Nomination?

  Each social share from a nomination’s profile page counts as one vote toward the Community Choice Award. Here’s how:

  1. Open the nomination page — Find your favorite nomination in the searchable directory.
  2. Use the social share buttons — On the nomination profile page, find the social sharing buttons on the upper right side. Click to share to LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or any channel you prefer. Every completed share from the nomination page counts as one vote.
  3. Add your nomination banner (optional but recommended) — After your nomination is approved, you will receive a branded banner image by email. When the social share window opens, upload or paste that banner into your post before publishing. This helps the nomination stand out in feeds and increases engagement.
  4. Ask your network to share as well — Shares only count as votes when made using the social buttons on the nomination page itself.

  For nominees: posting more than once at different times of day helps reach more of your audience. A short note on why your team, product, or company deserves recognition often increases engagement.

  Sample social post language:

  • “Proud of what our team delivered this year. Grateful for your support.”
  • “Honored to be recognized for our work on cybersecurity innovation.”
  • “This nomination reflects the effort the whole team puts in every day.”
  • “Thanks to our customers and partners who help us push the field forward.”
• When Does Voting Close?

  Community Choice voting is open from the moment a nomination is accepted and runs through early July 2026. Winners are announced in mid-July 2026, ahead of Black Hat in Las Vegas.

  Nominees who enter earlier accumulate more time to build voting momentum — a natural advantage that rewards early action.
• Do Votes Affect Jury Award Results?

  No. Jury awards and Community Choice are entirely independent tracks. Social engagement and voting activity have no bearing on jury decisions. All jury-evaluated categories are assessed solely on the strength of the nomination using structured, merit-based criteria.

  Votes determine only the Community Choice Award.
• Where Can I Find Nominations to Vote For?

  All nominations can be browsed on the voting page. Browse by award category and click any nomination to see its full profile and share it using the social buttons.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How Are Jury Award Winners Selected?

  All categories except Community Choice are evaluated by our panel of expert judges using structured, merit-based criteria. Judges assess each nomination on the strength of its demonstrated leadership, innovation, and impact in its specific category.

  Entries are judged within peer groups by company size, geography, and category. This segmented approach ensures fair comparisons and means recognition reflects genuine leadership within your competitive context — not just the largest or most visible organizations.

  Social engagement, voting activity, sponsorship, and package selection have no bearing on jury decisions.
• Multiple Companies Won in My Category — How Should I Position My Win?

  Categories are segmented by company size, geography, and specialization so that winners are measured against true peers. Your award reflects leadership within your competitive segment, which is a strong and specific claim. Reference your win as “Winner, [Category Name], 2026 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards” without qualification.
• When and How Are Winners Announced?

  The awards season includes two announcement moments:

  Jury Awards — Finalists are announced starting the week of March 2, 2026. Winners are announced starting the week of March 9, 2026, ahead of RSA Conference in San Francisco.

  Community Choice Awards — Winners are announced in mid-July 2026, ahead of Black Hat in Las Vegas.

  All nominees are notified directly by email before public announcements. Winners and finalists are published on the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards site and announced through the Cybersecurity Insiders website and the 600,000+ member information security community on LinkedIn.

  Follow us on LinkedIn to stay current: Cybersecurity Excellence Awards on LinkedIn

  There is no live ceremony or dinner — the program is online only, giving everyone worldwide access while keeping the program cost-effective for all participants.
• How Can I Strengthen My Nomination?

  Four steps to give your nomination the best chance:

  1. Make the nomination compelling. Highlight specific achievements and impact in your category. If you’re nominating in a fastest-growing company category, provide growth data. If it’s a product category, emphasize measurable outcomes, deployment scale, and what differentiates your solution. Specificity wins over general claims. Use the confidential judges-only field to share supporting details you may not want published publicly.
  2. Nominate in multiple categories. Product-specific and solution categories typically have fewer entries than broad categories like Best Company, which means less competition and higher odds of recognition. You can also propose new categories if existing ones aren’t a precise fit for your strengths.
  3. Promote your nomination for Community Choice. Share your nomination page on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook — every share counts as a Community Choice vote. Post multiple times at different times of day to reach more of your audience. Rally colleagues, customers, and partners to share as well. Community Choice voting runs through early July 2026, so consistent promotion over time builds cumulative momentum.
  4. Consider a visibility package. Higher-tier nomination packages include homepage features, social channel promotion, and newsletter placements that increase exposure for your nomination among cybersecurity audiences. See packages →
• How Do I Become a Judge on the Awards Jury?

  The awards jury consists of independent industry practitioners who evaluate nominations based on innovation, impact, and leadership within each category. Judges are selected for their domain expertise and independence.

  Interested in joining the panel? Send us a note using the Contact Us form. Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How Much Does a Nomination Cost?

  There are multiple award packages available for organizations, each including a specific number of nominations with options to add more. A separate Individual Professional Nomination option is available for cybersecurity leaders and professionals entering role-based categories. See the Nomination Packages page for current fees and package descriptions.
• What Payment Methods Are Accepted?

  Payment is accepted via credit card or PayPal on the payment page. Payment by ACH, check, or wire transfer is also available on request.

  You will receive an automatic confirmation email following successful payment. If you did not receive it, check your spam folder and mark emails from info@cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com as “not spam.” See the email troubleshooting FAQ in Section 6 for further steps.
• Can You Provide a Formal Quotation, Contract, or Invoice?

  Yes. Many organizations require formal accounting documentation (quotation, contract, payment request, or invoice) for internal procurement processing. Contact info@cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com with your requirements and we will provide the necessary documentation promptly.

  If your finance team has an internal deadline or holiday closure that requires expedited processing, let us know your timeline and we will prioritize your request.
• What Is the Payment Deadline? Does Delayed Payment Affect My Nomination?

  Payment should be completed as soon as possible following nomination submission. Your nomination page and Community Choice voting will not go live until payment is confirmed.

  Delayed payment does not disqualify a nomination or affect jury evaluation. However, because Community Choice voting begins the moment a nomination is activated, earlier payment means a longer voting window and more time to build community support.

  Note: If you purchased a nomination package in advance, you may still see a checkout page after submitting a nomination. If you have already paid, simply follow the link at the top of that page to your dashboard — no additional payment is needed.
• Can Someone Else Pay for My Nominations?

  Yes. A colleague, finance team member, or agency can pay on the nominee’s behalf without needing to log in or create an awards site account.

  For a single company/product nomination, the payer can go directly to the STARTER package on the Nomination Packages page and complete payment — this is the same checkout a nominee reaches after submitting a nomination. For an individual professional nomination, use the Individual Professional Nomination payment option on the same page. For multiple nominations, the payer can select the PLUS or PRO package.

  After payment is processed, contact info@cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com with the payer’s name and the nominee’s name or email address, and we will link the payment to the correct entries and activate them.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How Can I Use My Award Badge?

  Winners receive an official award badge with a perpetual, worldwide license. You can display the badge across websites, social media, sales decks, marketing campaigns, email signatures, printed materials, and at events in any region — at no additional cost.

  Follow any specific usage guidelines provided with the badge to maintain the integrity of the award and your marketing efforts.
• Where Can I Download My Award Badge?

  Follow this link to download the most recent award badge images in various formats: Cybersecurity Excellence Awards Badges
• How Many Certificates Will I Receive?

  One digital certificate is provided per winning nomination. If you won in multiple categories, you receive a certificate for each. Premium plaques and trophies are available through higher-tier nomination packages. See packages →
• Can I Use the Award in Press Releases and Marketing Materials?

  Yes, and we encourage it. Winners receive a winner toolkit that includes press release templates, social media assets, and promotional best practices to help maximize the visibility of their recognition.

  For examples of how past winners have leveraged their awards, see the “Winners in Action” section on the About page.
• How Can I Maximize Visibility for My Nomination and Award Win?

  Start sharing your nomination page as soon as it goes live — every social share counts as a Community Choice vote and increases your profile’s visibility in the awards directory. Tag the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards in your posts for amplification across our social channels.

  After winning, leverage your badge, press release templates, and social assets across all channels. Winners commonly promote their recognition through BusinessWire or PR Newswire press releases, LinkedIn campaigns, investor and analyst briefings, sales collateral, recruiting materials, and event displays at RSA Conference and Black Hat.

  Consistent promotion over time — rather than a single announcement — generates the most sustained visibility.
• How Do I Ensure My LinkedIn Account Is Correctly Tagged in Promotional Posts?

  Submit your official company LinkedIn URL during the nomination process. If you need to update it after submission, contact the awards team and we will correct it for future promotional posts.
• Are There Additional Promotional Opportunities Beyond the Standard Nomination?

  Yes. Higher-tier packages include homepage features, social channel promotion, and newsletter placements. Contact us to discuss collaboration opportunities, featured posts, or custom visibility options.

Frequently Asked Questions

• I’m Not Receiving Confirmation Emails — What Should I Do?

  Sometimes email platforms filter award notifications as spam. More than 99% of our emails deliver without issues, but if you’re not receiving confirmations:

  1. Check your spam folder and mark emails from info@cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com as “not spam.” This resolves most delivery issues.
  2. If the email isn’t in your spam folder, your platform’s filters may be blocking delivery entirely. Ask your IT team to whitelist info@cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com.
  3. If the issue persists, contact us and we will resend from an alternate sender domain to ensure delivery.

  It’s important you receive all emails during the nomination process and for winner notifications.
• Who Should I Contact If I Have Questions?

  The Cybersecurity Excellence Awards team is here to help. Reach us through the Contact Us page or email info@cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com.