What’s new?
This year, while maintaining the integrity of our established award categories, we are proud to announce a broader scope for the C(I)SO Award, which will now also include Chief Security Officers (CSOs), acknowledging the evolving roles and leadership in our industry.
There are 5 awards:
– Cyber Security Personality of the Year
– C(I)SO of the Year
– Cyber Security Researcher of the Year
– Young Cyber Security Professional of the Year
– Privacy Professional of the Year
Why apply?
These awards are not just about technical excellence—they are about people who lead with passion, purpose, and vision. Whether you are a seasoned professional or someone who has made a powerful impact in a short time, your story matters.
We encourage every applicant to go beyond the résumé. Create a compelling application by showcasing:
🔥Your passion: What drives your commitment to cybersecurity? Tell us about the spark that fuels your work.
🧭 Your leadership: Whether you led a formal team, mentored a colleague, or rallied others to solve a major problem—highlight moments that show your influence.
🌐 Your vision: How are you preparing for the challenges of tomorrow? Describe how you anticipate, innovate, and shape the future of our field.
🎤 Your story: Share a defining moment, a personal obstacle, or a project that changed how you see your work. Make your journey relatable and memorable.
How to participate?
We invite all eligible candidates to submit their applications for consideration. This is an excellent opportunity to gain recognition for your hard work and contributions to the cyber security landscape in Belgium. You may qualify for more than one award. You can also nominate one or more candidates.
Submissions can be made in either English, French or Dutch via the Awards website. All applications are reviewed by an independent expert judging panel, which adheres to a strict code of conduct addressing conflicts of interest and ensuring impartiality. The winners will be announced at a live ceremony on December 1st. Applications can be submitted until October 6th (11:00 PM).
Step forward with confidence – show what you have achieved and help make Belgium’s digital world safer and more privacy-friendly. We look forward to discovering your story.
Does this sound like you?
For each award category we have detailed the selection criteria and described the audience to which the Award is geared to assist you in finding the right award(s) for you.
Have you made a contribution to:
- Cyber resilience of the Belgian / European economy
- Awareness of the public
- Cyber security academia & research
- Cyber skills development and diversity gap
- Cyber security ecosystem
- Your organisation’s security posture
- Your organisation’s privacy performance & culture?
Have you made outstanding achievements in your (young) cyber security career?
Check if you meet the criteria.
Are you ready to highlight the importance of cybersecurity or privacy and the key role you play in it?
On December 1st, winners and finalists will be celebrated during a gala dinner in the Africa Palace in Tervuren. Do not miss this unique event and book your table now!
