The winners of the 2025 iSANZ Awards were announced tonight at a sold-out Gala Dinner at Shed 6 in Wellington, honouring the country’s top information security professionals, projects, companies, and emerging stars.
These annual awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership across Aotearoa New Zealand’s growing cybersecurity sector.
The winners – selected from many high-quality entries – highlight the critical work being done to protect the country from escalating cyber threats.
Kendra Ross, Chair of the iSANZ Board, says the awards are a powerful reminder of the talent and commitment within the local cybersecurity community.
“Every one of tonight’s finalists and winners is playing a vital role in defending New Zealand – whether by building secure systems, responding to incidents, raising awareness, or pioneering new solutions,” says Kendra.
“Cybersecurity underpins our economy, our infrastructure, and our personal safety. These awards are about recognising the people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make that happen.”
The awards come amid growing concern over cybercrime. Recent research from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reveals that $1.6 billion is lost annually by New Zealanders due to online threats.
Kendra says collaboration and information sharing across the industry is more important than ever.
“The more we come together to learn from each other – as we do at events like iSANZ – the more resilient we become. Tonight’s awards celebrate that spirit of community and progress.”
The 2025 iSANZ Award Winners are:
Security Project / Awareness Initiative of the Year – Meridian Energy for its Working Together to be Cyber Safe Initiative.
Meridian has transformed cybersecurity from a compliance task into a shared, empowering culture. Through training, tailored outreach, and tools like its Cyber Standards Buddy, it has reduced phishing, boosted resilience, and embedded cyber-safe habits into daily work. Every employee – from executives to contractors – now plays a vital role in protecting New Zealand’s critical energy infrastructure.
CISO of the Year – Jonathan du Preez from Meridian Energy.
As Head of Cybersecurity at Meridian Energy, Jonathan Du Preez has made cybersecurity a strategic enabler for New Zealand’s largest power generator. His leadership has delivered six incident-free years, embedded resilience across the company, and positioned Meridian as a sector leader. He also shares his expertise nationally, strengthening the country’s cyber defences.
Start Up or New Business of the Year – CyberTeam.
In under three years, CyberTeam has grown from two founders to a 10-person cybersecurity firm serving 30+ major clients. It has achieved 400% team growth, launched the Speculo platform to cut compliance costs, and pioneered threat-informed defence strategies unique to New Zealand.
Security Team of the Year – Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake’s Information Security Team.
The Information Security Team at Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake has built a strong, modern security system to protect New Zealand’s disaster response platform. By working closely with expert partners and focusing on teamwork, learning, and people, they’ve made security a core part of how the organisation works.
Security Company of the Year – Outfox.
Founded in 2021, Outfox is reshaping how small and medium businesses build cyber resilience. With New Zealand’s first Cyber Resilience Certification, it empowers everyday organisations to defend and recover confidently. Through diversity, plain-English guidance, and strong community ties, Outfox is making cybersecurity accessible, inclusive, and transformative for Aotearoa.
Up and Coming Cybersecurity Star of the Year – Abdullah Al Mamun from Education Payroll.
From research in threat detection to leading response at InPhySec, Abdullah blends innovation with hands-on leadership. At Education Payroll, he’s strengthened systems, automated assessments, and built a culture of security. Through mentoring and policy work, he’s advancing cybersecurity across organisations and nationwide.
Security Product of the Year – SafeStack’s Horizon software-as-a-service platform.
SafeStack Horizon helps software teams build and grow secure development practices. It simplifies complex frameworks into task-based guidance, empowering developers to own security early, reduce risk, and meet global standards. Launched in 2025, it’s already used by organisations in New Zealand and abroad – accelerating adoption, cutting hiring costs, and making secure development accessible to all.
Hall of Fame – Summer of Tech.
Summer of Tech was inducted into the 2025 iSANZ Hall of Fame for its outstanding contribution to growing New Zealand’s tech talent pipeline. For 19 years, the organisation has connected students and graduates with industry opportunities, securing over 3,500 placements across 470 employers and empowering the next generation of tech professionals in Aotearoa.