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Future CISO 100 Awards 2025

Celebrating tomorrow’s cybersecurity leaders

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Future CISO 100

2025 nominations

Nominations close 4th April 2025

The Future CISO 100 Awards celebrate the achievements of aspiring Chief Information Security Officers who are leading the way in cybersecurity, driving innovation, and building trust across businesses and industries.

 

The vital role of CISOs

As cybersecurity becomes a top priority for organisations worldwide, aspiring CISOs are stepping up to navigate evolving challenges such as hybrid work, geopolitical shifts, and emerging technologies like Generative AI. Their leadership in safeguarding organisational data, balancing risk, and fostering trust positions them as critical to the future of business resilience and success.

 

Why nominate for the Future CISO 100?

This award is an opportunity to:

  • Recognise leaders: Celebrate rising stars making an impact in cybersecurity.
  • Showcase achievements: Highlight innovative strategies and solutions led by aspiring CISOs.
    Promote excellence: Encourage a culture of leadership and innovation in cybersecurity.
  • Drive organisational impact: Previous winners report improved talent attraction and stronger internal champions after recognition.

Who we’re looking for

We’re seeking aspiring CISOs who exemplify:

  • Strategic impact: Developing risk-balanced strategies that drive business innovation.
  • Inclusive leadership: Advocating for diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity.
  • Adaptability: Managing transformations and day-to-day operations effectively.
  • Culture champion: Building a robust, security-first organisational culture
  • Thought leadership: Shaping the conversation on current and future cybersecurity trends.

2025 judging panel

The 2025 judging panel will be announced soon. Stay tuned to meet the industry leaders evaluating this year’s exceptional Future CISOs.

Last year’s panel included:

  • Bradley Schaunfenbuel, Vice President & CISO, Paychex, Inc.
  • Ronald Martey, CISO, GCB Bank
  • Howard Whyte, CISO, Truist
  • Karin Hone, Group CISO & Risk Officer, Barloworld
  • Catherine Buhler, CISO, EnergyAustralia

Submit your nomination 

Future CISO 100

Don’t miss the opportunity to recognise their achievements—submit your nomination by completing this form

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2025 nominations open

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FAQS

 

How does the C-Suite Awards work? can apply for the C-Suite Awards?

The HotTopics C-Suite Awards series follows a robust process for all of our award categories.

Leaders can nominate themselves via the online submissions, or nominate peers who they feel are driving change. Our independent judging panel, comprising industry experts and experienced technology executives, evaluates each entry against each award category's criteria.

Winners will be informed once the judging process is complete and invited to join us at our global awards ceremonies, co-located with our flagship Studio events. In 2025, these awards will take place at iconic venues: Abbey Road Studios in London (Marketing Awards) in April, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee (Global C-suite Awards) in October, and BAFTA in London (European C-suite Awards) in December, featuring live panel debates and ‘spotlight’ stories on inspiring leaders.

In addition, award winners are featured in our community hub, showcasing their profiles and achievements to our network of over 18,000 global C-suite executives.

 

What criteria is used to evaluate nominees in each category?
 
You can find the criteria for each award on the award category's nomination page. Typically, across each award, we are looking to identify leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, cross-functional collaboration, and business impact.
 
Can individuals self-nominate, or must they be nominated by someone else?
 
We actively encourage individuals to self-nominate or nominate their peers. While we appreciate that third-party nominations may sometimes lack the same detail as first-person applications, we believe that this approach is pivotal to celebrating individuals who may not otherwise come forward, particularly those in minority groups.
 
Are there specific categories or sectors that the C-Suite Awards cover, or is it open to all industries?
 
The HotTopics C-Suite Awards is open to all industries and company sizes.
 
How will the winners be recognised, and what prizes or benefits come with receiving a C-Suite Award?
 
 Winners are invited to attend the C-Suite Awards in person at our iconic venues. During the ceremonies at Abbey Road Studios in London, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, and BAFTA in London, winners will have the opportunity to participate in live panel debates, share short 'spotlight' stories with the audience, and collect their award from the HotTopics team
 
Furthermore, winners receive social media graphics that they can share with their online networks, and they are invited to attend post-event, educational masterclass sessions with industry thought leaders.
 

How can nominees showcase their achievements during the selection process?

We actively encourage individuals to provide us with as much detail as possible during the nomination process. Not only does this help our judges in evaluating each entry, but it often results in a greater chance the nominee makes their respective awards 100 list.
 
Once you have submitted the online form, you'll receive an email with some additional questions to complete. This is your chance to make your achievements (or those of a peer or colleague) stand out from the crowd.
 
Do I need to pay to enter the C-Suite Awards?
 
There is no fee to enter any of our awards. At HotTopics, we pride ourselves on the trust our community puts in us, and the credibility we have built in The Studio, the C-Suite Awards, and our editorial content.
 
I am unable to attend the C-Suite Awards ceremony. Can I still accept it?
 
Yes. The C-Suite Awards is a 12-month series of initiatives so there will be plenty of opportunities to pick up your award at another of our events.
 
Should this not be possible, we can also post your award to your home or office address - but please note this will come at personal expense.
 
Can I find out who voted for me?
 
You are welcome to ask the HotTopics team the question. Please note, however, third-party nominees rarely leave a name, or a reason for their nomination.
 
Can I vote for more than one person?

 

Yes.