The finalists for the 2025 iSANZ Awards have been announced, showcasing the outstanding work being done across Aotearoa to protect people, data, and critical systems from cyber threats.

Judges have selected the top contenders across seven award categories, ranging from emerging talent to established security teams, companies, and innovative projects.

Kendra Ross, Chair of the iSANZ Board, says this year’s finalists reflect the growing maturity and strength of New Zealand’s cybersecurity sector.

“Every day, cybersecurity professionals across the country are working behind the scenes to protect New Zealanders from increasingly sophisticated threats. These finalists are a testament to the deep expertise, creativity, and commitment that exists within our industry.”

“As the cost of cybercrime continues to climb, so too does the importance of their work – not only to protect people and data, but to safeguard the country’s economy and national resilience.”

The iSANZ Awards serve as a vital platform to recognise the professionals leading this critical work and to raise public awareness of the role cybersecurity plays in protecting our collective future.

Finalists for the 2025 iSANZ Awards are:

Security Project / Awareness Initiative of the Year

• Meridian Energy for its Working Together to be Cyber Safe Initiative.
• Parliamentary Counsel Office for its Business Transformation Programme.
• Tūhura Tech for its Digital Technology Education Initiative.
• Xero for its Security Champions Programme.

Chief Information Security Officer of the Year

• Jonathan du Preez from Meridian Energy.
• Matthew Lord from Tū Ora Compass Health.
• Stuart Marshall from Land Information New Zealand.
• Tony Arnold from TSB Bank.

Start Up or New Business of the Year

• Blacklock Security.
• CyberTeam.
• Outfox.

Security Team of the Year

• Datacom’s Cyber Defence Operations Centre.
• Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake’s Information Security Team.
• Spark’s Security Compliance Team.

Security Company of the Year

• Bastion Security.
• Layer9.
• Outfox.

Up and Coming Cybersecurity Star of the Year

• Abdullah Al Mamun from Education Payroll.
• Josh Evangelidakis from Air New Zealand.
• Sasha Mullins from Kiwibank.

Security Product of the Year

• Blacklock Security’s penetration testing as a service and vulnerability management platform.
• SafeStack’s Horizon software-as-a-service platform.
• SafeToOpen’s online security and privacy browser-based cybersecurity solution.

Winners will be revealed at the iSANZ Awards Gala Dinner on 6 November 2025 at Shed 6 in Wellington, during a week that also includes the iSANZ information security conference and Kawaiicon – two major events that bring the cybersecurity community together to share knowledge, experience, and practical solutions.