Representing leading enterprises across three continents, the CISOs Connect™ Global Board of Judges ensures the 2026 CISO Choice Awards™ reflect the business‑forward, practitioner‑driven perspective that defines the CISOs Connect™ community.
Independent awards program judged by a global board of practicing CISOs recognizes cybersecurity companies delivering outstanding innovation, measurable business value, and meaningful enterprise impact.
CISOs Connect™, the global community of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), today announced that submissions are open for the 2026 CISO Choice Awards™.
The CISO Choice Awards™ recognize the cybersecurity companies that have earned the trust of the executives responsible for protecting today’s enterprises. The program celebrates organizations whose technologies help security leaders better manage risk, strengthen resilience, and enable their businesses.
“The companies that stand out are the ones that consistently deliver meaningful outcomes for the organizations they serve,” said Stephen Bennett, Group CISO, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd., and Judge, CISO Choice Awards™. “They combine innovation with operational excellence and help security leaders better protect their businesses. That’s what the CISO Choice Awards™ recognize.”
Every submission is independently evaluated by a global board of practicing CISOs representing enterprise organizations across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Collectively, the judges bring decades of experience protecting and enabling some of the world’s leading businesses. Entries are evaluated using consistent judging criteria focused on innovation, business value, operational effectiveness, enterprise impact, and measurable outcomes.
“Every day, CISOs are making decisions about the technologies they trust to protect their businesses,” said David Cass, President, CISOs Connect™, and CISO, Keyrock. “The CISO Choice Awards™ recognize the companies that have earned that trust through innovation, execution, and measurable results, while ensuring the voice of the executive practitioner helps shape our industry.”
The 2026 Global Board of Judges includes:
- Reuben Athaide, Head of Innovation, Application Security & Assurance, Standard Chartered — Singapore
- Stephen Bennett, Group CISO, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd. — Australia
- Vlad Brodsky, SVP, CIO & CISO, OTC Markets Group — United States
- Nikki Gilbert, Global CISO, RWE AG — Germany
- Chatchawarn Jirupathum, Group Information Security & Data Protection Officer, RMA Group — Thailand
- Hugo Lai, CISO, Temple University Health System — United States
- Lock Langdon, VP, Enterprise Technology & CISO, Aprio — United States
- Brian Miller, CISO, Healthfirst — United States
- Jamaine Mungo, CISO, Philadelphia International Airport — United States
- Priya Mouli, CISO, University of Alberta — Canada
- Nashira Spencer, CISO, Stitch Fix — United States
- Hussein Syed, SVP & CISO, RWJBarnabas Health — United States
“Recognition from CISOs carries a unique level of credibility because it reflects real-world experience and accountability,” said Hussein Syed, SVP & CISO, RWJBarnabas Health, and Judge, CISO Choice Awards™. “These awards recognize organizations that consistently help enterprises reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and achieve better business outcomes.”
The 2026 CISO Choice Awards™ recognize excellence across premier company honors and solution categories spanning today’s most critical areas of cybersecurity. Finalists will be announced on August 20th, 2026, and winners will be recognized during the CISO Choice Awards™ Gala on October 15, 2026, just outside Washington, D.C.
Submissions are now open. Organizations interested in participating can learn more about award categories, eligibility requirements, and judging criteria at https://cisosconnect.awardsplatform.com/page/jANKvwYP.
Submit your entry: https://cisosconnect.awardsplatform.com
About CISOs Connect™
CISOs Connect™ is an invitation-only community of global CISOs dedicated to advancing the cybersecurity profession through executive collaboration, independent research, leadership development, and industry recognition. Through executive forums, research initiatives, leadership programs, and awards programs, including the CISO Choice Awards™, CISOs Connect™ elevates the collective judgment and experience of executive cybersecurity practitioners while helping shape the future of enterprise security.