Entries Now Open For 2025 iSANZ Awards

Entries are now officially open for the 2025 iSANZ Awards, Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier event celebrating excellence in information security.

From today until 29 August 2025, New Zealand’s business and cybersecurity community is invited to enter across seven award categories, honouring individuals, teams, initiatives, and organisations who are helping keep the country safe.

Now in its 11th year, the annual iSANZ Awards shine a light on those working tirelessly - often behind the scenes - to defend our national digital infrastructure, businesses, and people from a growing wave of cyber threats.

This year’s winners will be announced at the iSANZ Awards Gala Dinner on 6 November 2025 at Shed 6 in Wellington, where the industry will gather to celebrate the best of the best in cybersecurity. Finalists will be revealed on 29 September 2025.

Kendra Ross, iSANZ Board Chair, says the awards are an important moment of recognition for the country’s cybersecurity professionals.

“Cybersecurity is no longer a nice to have, a luxury - it’s now central to New Zealand’s economic wellbeing, social stability,national security and the protection of all Kiwis. The iSANZ Awards give us the opportunity to recognise the people and organisations quietly working at the frontline of defence every day,” says Kendra.

“With cyber threats constantly evolving, we need to keep encouraging excellence, collaboration, and keep showcasing the great work of our industry to attract talent to our sector. That’s why the iSANZ Awards event, alongside major information security conferences like the iSANZ Conference and Kawaiicon happening the same week, are more important than ever.”

The call for iSANZ entries comes as recent research from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) highlights the widespread impact of malicious online activity. The NCSC reports that 54% of New Zealand adults have experienced an online threat in the past six months, with 830,000 people suffering financial loss - averaging $1,260 per incident. The total estimated annual loss to New Zealanders due to cybercrime stands at a staggering $1.6 billion.

“In this context, recognising and celebrating our cybersecurity leaders isn’t just important - it’s vital,” says Kendra. “These awards help build community, elevate role models, and raise the standard of protection across the board.”

Award Categories for 2025:

Security Project / Awareness Initiative Of The Year

This category recognises outstanding and successfully delivered information security projects or initiatives. It could be a security awareness campaign, an organisational cyber uplift program or other security project.

Chief Information Security Officer of the Year

This category is open to cyber security leaders in CISO or security leadership roles who influence and drive better security outcomes for an organisation.

Start Up Or New Business Of The Year

This category celebrates the best new security companies that are making their mark and helping to raise the cyber resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Security Team Of The Year

This category celebrates high performing security teams that are improving the cyber security posture of their organisation day in, day out.

Security Company Of The Year

This category celebrates stand out organisations that make security their business, rather than something that helps them in business. The security company of the year is awarded to the security company that has not only supported their customers and clients, but has worked to grow the security industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Up And Coming Cybersecurity Star Of The Year

This category focuses on our new cyber security professionals, celebrating the best and brightest who have joined our growing cyber security industry.

Security Product of the Year

This category is open to organisations who have great security products in the market that are showing measurable impact in protecting New Zealand organisations.

For full details on each award category, eligibility, judging criteria and how to enter, visit the iSANZ website at www.isanz.org.nz.

Key Dates:

Entries Open: 25 July 2025

Entries Close: 29 August 2025

Finalists Announced: 29 September 2025

Winners Announced: 6 November 2025 at Shed 6, Wellington

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