New Zealand's annual showcase of excellence in Information Security.
Congratulations to all our 2022 Awards finalists and winners.
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iSANZ Board - Kendra Ross, Barry Brailey, Mike Seddon, Katrina Banks, Lana Tosic & Graeme Neilson, Dean Carter, Jo Hannstra, Ben Creet
To formally recognise the achievements of outstanding New Zealand InfoSec professionals, companies and initiatives / events.
To inspire, promote and reflect on the New Zealand InfoSec industry and its people.
The iSANZ emblem, representing New Zealand's native falcon - one of the bravest, most ferocious of the falcon species against intruders to the nest.
The 2022 iSANZ Awards winners were announced at a ticketed, gala dinner at Te Papa Museum on 1 November 2022. See you next year for the ninth annual iSANZ Awards.
A big thanks to our 2022 iSANZ Awards judges:
This category is open to organisations who have successfully implemented an InfoSec security project or awareness initiative.
The winner was Education Arcade for its NFT scam simulator.
This category is open to experienced senior security practitioners holding a hands-on full or part time IT security position during the past 12 months.
The winner was Nyuk Loong Kiw - Chapter Lead at Spark Cyber Defence Tribe.
This category is open to new information security / cyber security businesses founded in New Zealand and which have been operating for no more than five years.
The winner was Mindshift.
This category is open to information / cybersecurity tems who work closely together to achieve the best possible performance, creative contributions, and / or go above and beyond in contributing to information security.
The winner was Spark's Cyber Defence Tribe.
This category is open to New Zealand companies who have an "in service" Security Service or Product.
The winner was National Cyber Security Centre for its malware free networks inititive.
This category is open to all individuals who are a newcomer to the world of Cyber/ InfoSec in NZ with less than 3 years experience and who have made a positive and impressive impact to our community.
The winner was Amina Aggarwal from Spark.
This nominated Award is open to a person, event or company who has made a significant contribution (above and beyond the normal standards and qualities / legacy outcomes) to the wider InfoSec community. Nominations can be made by emailing [email protected]
The 2022 Hall of Fame inductee was Andy Prow.
The 2021 Hall of Fame inductee was iSIG.
No 2020 Hall of Fame inductee due to COVID-19.
The 2019 Hall of Fame inductee was Dr Ian Graham.
The 2018 Hall of Fame inductee was the New Zealand Internet Task Force (NZITF).
The 2017 Hall of Fame inductee was Dr Peter Gutmann.
The 2016 Hall of Fame inductee was NetSafe.
The 2015 Hall of Fame inductee was the 1st Tuesday Forum.
iSANZ Awards News
Online scam simulators, malware free initiatives, specialist information security firms, and seasoned and emerging cybersecurity professionals were honoured last night at the Information Security Awards of New Zealand.
Now in their eighth year, judged awards were presented in six categories. A Hall of Fame Award was also awarded – recognising one person’s enduring industry contribution.
Held annually, the iSANZ Awards recognise the exceptional people and organisations contributing expertise and insight in improving and benefiting New Zealand’s digital security.
iSANZ Board Chair Kendra Ross says as a connected and thriving digital nation New Zealand confronts an unrelenting number of cybersecurity threats and incidents, including expensive data breaches, disruptive ransomware attacks and costly phishing scams.
"The current threat landscape is incredibly diverse, with digital attack surfaces having increased beyond measure as remote and hybrid work takes precedence. Thankfully, we're lucky to have the very best in cybersecurity talent to protect and defend against those who would exploit and do us harm online.
"These awards are the preeminent national opportunity to reflect on the extremely high standard, variety and innovation of people and businesses who work tirelessly across New Zealand’s information security sector to see off malicious digital threats."
The iSANZ Board is pleased to announce that the winners in the 2022 iSANZ Awards are:
Best Security Project or Awareness Initiative
Education Arcade for its NFT scam simulator.
Designed for those at risk of falling prey to Non Fungible Token scams, Education Arcade's online, interactive simulator teaches people how to spot and avoid deceptive or malicious NFTs. The judges commented on its accessible, quirky, interesting and interactive nature; also noting that returns to the learners will be immeasurable.
Best Security Product or Service
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for its malware free networks initiative.
Launched last November, NCSC's Malware Free Networks initiative is helping defend against an evolving range of cyber threats, and has increased the cybersecurity resilience of many New Zealand organisations. The judges commented on the strength of the initiative's design and implementation, and its ability to improve security across the country while also protecting the privacy of users.
Best Security Team
Spark’s Cyber Defence Tribe.
With more than 100 IT and cyber security experts, the Cyber Defence Tribe protects Spark’s vast network infrastructure. The judges commented on the team's commitment to measuring its program, and strong focus on diversity, training and career development pathways.
Best Start-Up or New Business
Mindshift.
The judges commented on Mindshift’s consistently high quality cyber security awareness campaigns and training, saying ‘the range of service providers who use their services to lift cyber security skills for all New Zealanders shows confidence in MindShift to understand their audience and make the right impact’.
Best Senior Security Practitioner
Nyuk Loong Kiw - Chapter Area Lead at Spark Cyber Defence Tribe.
The judges were impressed with Nyuk’s passion for helping create a strong cybersecurity community - evidenced by his commitment to mentoring others and going beyond his day job to speak at conferences. They also noted his people leadership and successful delivery of good client outcomes, which mark him as someone who cares about the impact he makes in his role.
Up-and-coming Cybersecurity Star
Amina Aggarwal from Spark.
The judges commented on Amina’s demonstrated drive to succeed, passion for cyber, focus on self-development and making a real contribution to help others into and through the cybersecurity industry.
Hall of Fame Award
Andy Prow was named the iSANZ Hall of Famer for 2022.
A strong and longtime supporter of New Zealand's infosec community, Andy is the founder of information security firms Aura and RedShield. He lends a portion of his time to working on the NZITF Board and is well-known as a cybersecurity thought leader. He's active globally, being a partner for a Silicon Valley VC investing in NZ tech startups, and is a lead advisor for one of the UK’s largest cyber-insurance brokers.
The 2022 iSANZ Awards are sponsored by Datacom, Quantum Security, Duo a division of Sektor, Spark NZ, Kordia, SailPoint, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks / NEXTGEN Group, CyberCX, NCSC, NTT, Tesserent, Comstor and Cisco.
Our emblem is the karearea or New Zealand falcon - a symbol for courage, victory and rising above a situation.
The Falcon's adaptations include short, deep rounded wings, a long tail to maximise manoeuvrability and long legs and feet that enable it to catch small birds during surprise attacks. Its soft plumage is adapted to the forest environment, making the feathers more flexible and resistant to breaking in the rough and tumble that it often encounters when pursuing prey into thick cover.
A true New Zealand warrior you might say. Early scientists used to call it Falco ferox or ferocious falcon. These attributes make our ‘Karearea’ New Zealand falcon truly special – a unique species that has adapted to fulfil the roles that several species usually fill overseas.
The Falcon is a solar emblem for success, victory and rising above a situation in Native American Indian mythology. The Falcon created a powerful, intimidating figure and was associated with warfare. In European tradition, the Falcon represents the huntsman and is associated with the Germanic sky-gIn European culture the Falcon is considered a warlike symbol.
Thanks to our 2022 iSANZ sponsors Datacom, Quantum Security, Duo a division of Sektor, Spark NZ, Kordia, SailPoint, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks / NEXTGEN Group, CyberCX, NCSC, NTT, Tesserent, Comstor and Cisco. Interested in sponsoring? Email us at [email protected]
The 2022 iSANZ Awards were proudly supported by NZITF, SiteHost and 1st Tuesday.
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