iSANZ Awards honour New Zealand's cybersecurity leaders

The 2024 iSANZ Awards marked a decade of recognising excellence in cybersecurity within New Zealand.

A gathering of over 200 individuals at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington celebrated those dedicated to fortifying digital networks against cyber threats. A significant highlight was the presentation of a Hall of Fame Award, which honoured the organisers behind a prominent national cybersecurity challenge.

iSANZ Board Chair Kendra Ross expressed admiration for the achievements celebrated, stating, "We're truly inspired by the incredible achievements of all this year's entrants, finalists, and winners. They represent some of the most talented professionals in the information security landscape."

She emphasised the broader impact of the awards, saying, "These awards not only celebrate success but encourage ongoing innovation and collaboration within our community. Together, we're proud to be tackling today, and tomorrow's cybersecurity challenges."

The "Security Project / Awareness Initiative of the Year" award was won by the joint effort of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and CERTNZ for the 'Exposed - Own Your Online' campaign. This initiative aimed to simplify cybersecurity and inspire people to take personal responsibility for online safety, effectively reaching 15% of New Zealand's population and motivating 70% of viewers to take proactive security measures.

Fidelity Life took home the "Security Team of the Year" award for their 'Cyber Guardians of Trust'. This team comprises six professionals focused on enhancing security measures and promoting a continuous learning environment within the organisation.

The "Security Company of the Year" title was awarded to Kordia Group, known for providing managed services, consulting, and incident response. The group has been investing in talent development and community engagement since 2015 to strengthen the cybersecurity workforce.

In the "Start-up or New Business of the Year" category, Qubit Cyber was honoured. This company, after just two years of operation, has focused on digital safety across multiple sectors, securing over USD $2 million in projects and aiming to position New Zealand as a global leader in cybersecurity standards.

Paul Connolly from Kiwibank was acknowledged as the "Cybersecurity Leader of the Year". As the Chief Information Security Officer, he expanded his team and championed a culture of inclusion, significantly boosting security and engagement within the company.

Rachel Parangi from Northpower received the "Up and Coming Cyber Security Star of the Year" award. As Information Security Manager, she has notably enhanced Northpower's cybersecurity strategy, establishing crucial security policies and risk management frameworks.

The Hall of Fame Award was presented to the New Zealand Cyber Security Challenge (NZCSCS), recognised for its role in nurturing future cybersecurity talents. Since its inception in 2014, this challenge has evolved into a significant event attracting over 400 participants and has become central to developing technical cybersecurity skills.

The iSANZ Awards were supported by a range of sponsors and partners, including Datacom, SailPoint, CheckPoint, and others, which contributed to the event's success.