BCC26 · Awards ceremony · 4 November 2026 · 16:30
The CISO Leadership Awards 2026: meet the nominees
28 of the most influential cybersecurity leaders in Europe and beyond are competing across 7 categories. The winners will be revealed live at Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress on 4 November at 16:30. Make sure you are in the room.
- 4 November 2026 · Ceremony 16:30–17:30
- Networking party 17:30–19:00
- Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Barcelona
- Exclusive access for Full Congress Pass holders
The winners will be revealed in
Access to the ceremony is exclusive to Full Congress Pass holders. Get yours now and secure your place.
28
Nominees
7
Award categories
10
Expert jury members
1
Unmissable ceremony
The 2026 nominees
Europe’s cybersecurity leaders, in one room
The CISO Leadership Awards recognise the people, organisations and innovations strengthening cybersecurity across Europe and globally, with a focus on operational excellence, resilience, technological innovation and the protection of critical digital infrastructure. Meet this year’s nominees by category.
Category 01 · Nominees
Global CISO of the Year Award
Recognises the security leader whose strategic vision, business impact and leadership have raised the bar for the CISO role across a global organisation.
Abertis Group
Olga Forné
Global CISO
Leads cybersecurity for an international critical-infrastructure group, turning information security into a strategic business capability built on governance, culture and leadership.
Puig
Susana Calvo Pablos
Global Cybersecurity Director
From Volkswagen Group Spain and Grifols to Puig, she makes cybersecurity accessible, strategic and human: an enabler of confident decisions and resilient growth, not a barrier.
Grupo Argal
Josep Bardallo
CISO
30+ years in security leadership across healthcare, finance and industry. Drives ISO 27001, NIS2, OT security and responsible-AI programmes, and has co-founded five cybersecurity companies.
INTERPOL
Bjørn Richard Watne
Global CISO
Protects the systems that connect police forces across INTERPOL’s 196 member countries, backed by 25+ years in telecoms, financial services and global law enforcement.
CH Media
Christian Froesch
CISO
Built the security architecture behind a major IT insourcing programme and launched an awareness programme, from phishing simulations to deepfake awareness, that puts people at the heart of cyber resilience.
Category 02 · Nominees
Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation Award
Honours initiatives that are redefining digital defence through groundbreaking technologies, novel architectures and forward-looking approaches to emerging threats.
TK Elevator
María Luisa Redondo Velazquez
Global CISO
Leads cybersecurity strategy for 50,000+ employees in 100+ countries, combining board-level leadership with deep expertise in cloud, AI governance and security transformation.
Straumann Group
Carlos Valderrama
Global Head of Security Operations
Creator of Security Operations as Code (SOaC), an open-source framework that runs security operations as programmable, version-controlled code with embedded AI, free for the global community.
ADAM FOODS
Enric Sandoval Balaguer
CISO
Next-generation cyber defence powered by an AI-driven SOC, Zero Trust and Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), backed by weekly awareness training and an engaged executive committee.
Lognext
Jaime Morales Rodríguez de Lope
Head of Cybersecurity
Research across 1 million domains and ~10 million HTTP requests exposing the limits of heuristic bot filtering, and proposing cryptographic agent identity (RFC 9421) for API and edge defence.
Category 03 · Nominees
Women in Cybersecurity Leadership Award
Celebrates women leaders who are shaping the future of cybersecurity through measurable impact, thought leadership and a sustained commitment to the next generation.
Vodafone Spain
Laura Baus Lerma
CISO
Leads cybersecurity for one of Spain’s critical national infrastructures and steered her team through a major post-acquisition transformation. Co-author of Cybersecurity Step by Step.
IDIKA (Greece)
Asimina Basdani
CISO & Head of Information Security
Built the security office of Greece’s national digital health and social security organisation from the ground up, leading NIS2 compliance for services used by millions of citizens.
Ericsson
Connie McIntosh
Head of Security
Unifies cyber, product and operational security with data privacy into one business strategy, drawing on a career that began protecting classified national-defence networks.
AirTrunk
Maryam Shoraka
Associate Director – Cybersecurity (IT & OT)
Two decades across IT, OT and critical infrastructure: from building 24/7 security operations to board leadership, responsible AI and mentoring tomorrow’s leaders.
Don’t just read about them. Meet them.
The ceremony takes place on 4 November from 16:30 to 17:30 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, followed by a networking party from 17:30 to 19:00. Access is exclusive to Full Congress Pass holders.
Category 04 · Nominees
Public Sector Cybersecurity Initiative Award
Recognises public-sector programmes that strengthen the security and resilience of the digital services citizens rely on every day.
Barcelona City Council
David Esteban Haro
CISO
“From Cybersecurity to City Resilience”: Barcelona’s programme connecting cyber risk with crisis governance, service continuity and 24/7 operations to protect citizens and public services.
Girona City Council
Marc Garcia Lloveras
CISO
Agentless Zero Trust microsegmentation across Girona’s citywide network and data centre, protecting 2,000+ connected devices and keeping essential public services running.
Wien Digital (Vienna)
Sophie Janisch-Pryce
Head of Prevention & Continuity
A dual-track plan for Vienna: gamified, hands-on security awareness for citizens, including a Security Day Fair, plus risk-based protection of every critical citizen service.
National Cyber Security Agency, Qatar
Mohammed Almannai
Director of Resilience, Risk & Program Delivery
Leads Qatar’s National Cyber Drill, a coordinated national crisis exercise that connects technical response with institutional decision-making to protect essential services.
Category 05 · Nominees
Operational Technology (OT) Security Innovation Award
Awards intelligent, resilient and future-ready strategies that protect industrial systems and critical infrastructure.
Schneider Electric
Jorge Jimenez
Cybersecurity Governance Lead – Services Operations
Industrialised OT security by embedding IEC 62443-2-4 into daily service operations across 600+ locations in 90+ countries: measurable, auditable and repeatable at scale.
dsm-firmenich
Andres Prieto Anton
Manager D&T Infrastructure & OT Cybersecurity
Bridges the IT/OT divide with a dedicated support-team model that aligns plant maintenance, engineering and IT, empowering shop-floor teams through training, trust and practical standards.
Keep@live
Victor Merino Ramos
Founder & CISO
A 100% on-premise, air-gapped cybersecurity CMDB that uses AI and graph neural networks for continuous risk modelling of critical infrastructure, aligned with NIS2, DORA and ENS.
Grandvalira Resorts – SETAP365
Francesc Xavier Parrilla Indalecio
CIO / CISO
Protecting the technology that keeps the mountain running: layered OT security for ski lifts and snowmaking systems, designed never to disrupt operations.
Category 06 · Nominees
Workforce Development & Cyber Culture Award
Celebrates leaders who build talent, skills and a security culture in which people become the strongest line of defence.
Plexus Tech
Omar Orta Pedroza
CISO
Built a cybersecurity business unit from scratch to nearly 100 professionals through mentoring and personalised career paths; selected for an ENISA ad hoc working group on the European cybersecurity market.
Raona
Francisco Ramón García Otero
CISO
Turned awareness training into a continuous, measurable cyber-culture programme in which employees become an active layer of defence rather than the weakest link.
Mutua d’Enginyers
Jordi Martinez Diaz
CIO
An Enterprise Cyber Resilience Framework that unites governance, DORA compliance, architecture and AI governance in a single operating model with security-by-design at its core.
TÜV SÜD
Dr. Farell Folly
Global Head, Cybersecurity Competence Center
Two decades of capability building: 1,000+ students educated, around 50 postgraduate researchers supervised and hundreds of military and UN personnel trained.
Category 07 · Nominees
Lifetime Achievement in Cybersecurity Leadership Award
Honours distinguished pioneers whose career-long contribution has profoundly shaped the cybersecurity profession.
Abertis Autopistas España
Angel Perez Beumala
CISO & Resilience Manager
Co-founder of ISMS Forum’s AI Security, Ethics & Compliance working group (GIA), behind reference works such as the Agentic AI Security Decalogue and AI governance guidance.
Werfen
Jody Blanchard
CISO
Ph.D., author of two cybersecurity books, U.S. Army veteran and EC-Council Ethical Hacking Hall of Fame inductee, named a Top Global CISO by Cyber Defense Magazine 2023–2026.
TÜV SÜD
Dr. Farell Folly
Global Head, Cybersecurity Competence Center
Former Lt-Colonel with two decades across defence, the United Nations, ICANN and academia, now leading TÜV SÜD’s global Cybersecurity Competence Center.
Ericsson
Ian Keller
Customer Security Director & Data Privacy Officer
22+ years leading security transformations across finance and telecoms; Field CISO and DPO at Ericsson in Riyadh and advisory-board member at VigiTrust and CyberEdBoard.
Why attend
Be there when the winners are announced
Witness the winners live
See the jury reveal the 2026 winners in each category during an exclusive ceremony on 4 November, from 16:30 to 17:30.
Celebrate at the party
Stay for the networking party from 17:30 to 19:00 and meet the nominees, the jury and the security leaders shaping NIS2, AI security and resilience in Europe.
Exclusive to Full Congress Pass
Access to the ceremony is reserved for Full Congress Pass holders: three days of BCC26 plus a seat at the awards.
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
FAQ
CISO Leadership Awards 2026: frequently asked questions
When and where are the CISO Leadership Awards 2026?
The awards ceremony takes place on 4 November 2026 from 16:30 to 17:30, followed by a networking party from 17:30 to 19:00, during Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress (3–5 November 2026) at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, in Barcelona.
How can I attend the awards ceremony?
Access to the ceremony is exclusive to holders of the Full Congress Pass for Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress 2026. Other pass types do not include access. Get your Full Congress Pass online at barcelonacybersecuritycongress.com/visit/get-your-pass.
Who are the nominees for the CISO Leadership Awards 2026?
28 cybersecurity leaders are nominated, from organisations such as INTERPOL, Abertis, Puig, Vodafone Spain, Ericsson, Schneider Electric, TÜV SÜD, Barcelona City Council, Wien Digital and Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency.
What are the award categories?
There are seven categories: Global CISO of the Year; Next-Generation Cyber Defense & Innovation; Women in Cybersecurity Leadership; Public Sector Cybersecurity Initiative; Operational Technology (OT) Security Innovation; Workforce Development & Cyber Culture; and Lifetime Achievement in Cybersecurity Leadership.
Who selects the winners?
Winners are chosen by an independent jury of ten leading figures in cybersecurity, including CISOs and security executives from organisations such as ISC2, INCIBE, ECSO, Women4Cyber and JP Morgan.
Can I still submit a nomination for 2026?
No. Entries for the 2026 edition are closed. You can still join the ceremony and celebrate the nominees at BCC26 with a Full Congress Pass.
4 November 2026 · Ceremony 16:30 · Party 17:30–19:00
Be in the room when Europe’s cybersecurity leaders are recognised
Join the CISO Leadership Awards ceremony at Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress 2026, plus three days of keynotes, the expo and the people who make cybersecurity decisions.
- Access to the CISO Leadership Awards ceremony is exclusive to Full Congress Pass holders.
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
ANY QUESTIONS?
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