The CISO Leadership Awards 2026
The European cybersecurity leadership recognition platform.
The Barcelona Cybersecurity leadership CISO awards recognize the individuals, organizations, and innovations shaping the future of cybersecurity across Europe and globally. The program is designed to highlight operational excellence, cyber resilience, technological innovation, and leadership in protecting critical digital infrastructure.
WHY PARTICIPATE
Presented annually at the Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress (BCC), these awards highlight global excellence in cybersecurity leadership — spanning large enterprises, SMEs, public institutions, and critical infrastructure operators — to showcase the diversity of strategic approaches driving the security community forward.
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Gain major recognition for your project
Participating in these awards places your project at the forefront of the global cybersecurity landscape, beside the main organizations shaping the future of digital protection. -
Stand shoulder to shoulder with sector leaders
Winning a CISO Leadership Award highlights your dedication to excellence and your role as a pioneer in securing the digital world.
- Recognition by an international CISO jury
- Visibility among European cybersecurity leaders
- Exposure to enterprise CISOs, investors, and media
- Positioning as an innovation and resilience leader
- Networking opportunities during the Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
CISOs
CISOs
Senior security executives
Senior security executives
Public sector cybersecurity roles
Public sector cybersecurity roles
Private sector cybersecurity roles
Private sector cybersecurity roles
Nominations can be submitted by the individuals themselves or by the organizations they represent. Submissions from partners or vendors are not permitted.
Nominees must have held a relevant leadership position for at least 12 months prior to nomination.
Achievements submitted must have occurred between January 2024 and May 2026.
The topics shaping the
cybersecurity landscape
01.Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation Award
Awarding an end-user project or initiative who has, or it is redefining digital defense through groundbreaking technologies, novel architectures, and forward-looking approaches that address emerging and future cyber threats.
This category evaluates a specific initiative; however, submissions must be made by the cybersecurity manager who was or is directly responsible for leading and implementing the initiative.
02.Operational Technology (OT) Security Innovation Award
Awarding an end-user organization who has, or it is delivering innovative security solutions that protect industrial systems and critical infrastructure through intelligent, resilient, and future-ready OT security strategies.
This category evaluates a specific initiative; however, submissions must be made by the cybersecurity manager who was or is directly responsible for leading and implementing the innovation.
03.Cyber Resilience & Incident Response Award
Awarding an end-user organization that exhibited excellence across preparedness, detection, response, and recovery capabilities, demonstrating superior agility, coordination, and effectiveness in cyber incident management.
This category evaluates a specific organization; however, submissions must be made by the cybersecurity manager who had direct responsibility for leading and implementing the security measures.
04.Third-Party & Software Supply Chain Security Award
Awarding an end-user organization initiative that strengthen the security of vendors, partners, and software ecosystems, enhancing transparency, trust, and resilience across the entire digital supply chain.
This category evaluates a specific initiative; however, submissions must be made by the cybersecurity manager who was directly responsible for leading and implementing the initiatives.
05.Data Privacy, Ethics & Digital Trust Award
Awarding an end-user project or initiative who has, or it is redefining digital defense through groundbreaking technologies, novel architectures, and forward-looking approaches that address emerging and future cyber threats.
This category evaluates a specific organization; however, submissions must be made by the data protection manager who had direct responsibility for leading and implementing the measures.
06.Workforce Development & Cyber Culture Award
Awarding an end-user organization who had or has impactful programs and leadership initiatives that develop cybersecurity talent, foster inclusive and resilient cultures, and elevate security awareness across organizations.
This category evaluates a specific organization; however, submissions must be made by the cybersecurity manager who had direct responsibility for leading and implementing the measures.
07.Public Sector Cybersecurity Initiative Award
Awarding a public administration who had or has a transformative program that safeguard citizens, protect national and municipal infrastructure, and drive innovation in government cybersecurity.
This category evaluates a specific public organization; however, submissions must be made by the cybersecurity manager who had direct responsibility for leading and implementing the measures.
08.Women in Cybersecurity Leadership Award
Awarding a women leader who has or is shaping the future of cybersecurity through measurable impact, thought leadership, mentorship, and a sustained commitment to empowering the next generation.
This category recognizes leadership, career achievements, and professional standing, focusing on the individual, their role, and their sustained impact.
09.Global CISO of the Year Award
10.Lifetime Achievement in Cybersecurity Leadership Award
Awarding a distinguished cybersecurity pioneer whose career-long contributions have profoundly influenced, advanced, and defined the global cybersecurity landscape.
This category recognizes leadership, career achievements, and professional standing, focusing on the individual, their role, and their sustained impact.
THE JURY: LEADING NAMES in cybersecurity
Ten key figures from the sector bring their knowledge and expertise to this year’s judging panel.
AI & ML · Zero Trust · Cloud & Edge · IoT & 5G · Quantum Security · Supply Chain Security · Governance & Policy · Resilience & Incident Response · Emerging Threats · Resilience & Incident Response · Privacy & Ethics
Timeline
Add the dates to your calendar to make sure you don’t miss your chance to enter.
01.12th May
Entries open
The application form for entries will be available from 12th May 2026.
02.14th Sep
Entries close
Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 14th September 2026.
03. 22th Sep
Nominees advised
All participants will be informed if they have been nominated (3 per category) by 22nd September 2026.
04.Oct
Nominees published
All 3 nominees per category will be published on the official website at the beginning of October 2026.
05.4th Nov
Winners announced
Winners will be announced during the CISO Leadership Awards Ceremony, 4th November at the main Auditorium of Fira Barcelona Gran Via.
THE CISO GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS 2026 NOMINEES
Technology experts, executive and industry visionaries share their experiences and knowledge of cybersecurity technologies and possibilities on our stage.
Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation Award
David Dickson
David Dickson
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David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
Operational Technology (OT) Security Innovation Award
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
Cyber Resilience & Incident Response Award
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
Third-Party & Software Supply Chain Security Award
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
Workforce Development & Cyber Culture Award
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
David Dickson
David Dickson
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page.
THE CISO GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS 2026 WINNERS
Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation Award
Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation Award
Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation Award
Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation Award
Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation Award
Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation Award