Momentum Media and cybersecurity brand Cyber Daily are pleased to announce that Equifax CISO, Australia and New Zealand, Wayne Williamson received the first Excellence Award at the Cyber Security Awards.
The inaugural Australian Cyber Security Awards delivered an unparalleled awards program that identified the top businesses and professionals in the cyber sector across the nation.
Momentum Media and Cyber Daily marked a milestone in November 2022 by launching their first-ever Australian Cyber Security Awards program, with the support of principal partner Palo Alto Networks.
The program culminated in the Australian Cyber Security Awards 2023 black-tie gala ceremony on Thursday, 1 June 2023 at Hotel Realm, Canberra.
Click here to view the full list of winners.
This year, the prestigious Excellence Award was given to the highest-scoring individual award winner Wayne Williamson, chief information security officer, Australia and New Zealand, at Equifax.
This followed him taking out the award for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of the Year earlier in the evening.
A total of 23 winners were chosen out of 125 finalists at the Cyber Security Awards 2023 across 14 individual and eight group categories, and the Excellence Award.
Individuals such as cyber security consultants, lawyers, defence cyber security professionals, female cyber leaders, cyber security rising stars, and STEM promoters were acknowledged for their hard work and dedication to bolstering their organisation’s cyber security posture.
The awards also shone the spotlight on groups for their achievements, including cloud service providers, endpoint security providers, data/server security companies, ransomware protection companies, and those who provide threat detection products.
Over 300 cyber security professionals and other members of the cyber security industry glammed up and turned up to the awards ceremony to cheer their peers and network with their colleagues and industry leaders.
Australian comedian, writer, and 7.30 satirist on the ABC Mark Humphries assumed emcee duties and provided light and laughter throughout the evening.
Critical to recognise cyber industry
The inaugural Cyber Security Awards were held amid a period of heightened cyber security risks, and followed two of the nation’s worst data breaches (with other organisations likely to face similar attacks).
It has never been more important for CISO and other cyber security professionals to build a cyber security fortress around their organisation.
As such, the unparalleled awards program recognises professionals who have been doing just that, champions the top businesses in the cyber security sector across Australia, and celebrates those who are keeping the nation safe.
The awards are coveted accolades for organisations and professionals seeking to cement their role in cyber security.
They provide national recognition of people and businesses rather than products and platforms. They universally acknowledge all cyber stakeholders including defence, insurance, cloud service, technology, STEM, consultancy and ransomware protection.
The awards ceremony showcased the depth of talent in the cyber security community, while distinguishing businesses from their competitors so they can attract and retain the best talent, and strengthen their position to win cyber projects or contracts.
It also reaffirmed the sector’s essential role in safeguarding individuals, businesses, and the Commonwealth.
“It was a pleasure to celebrate with those professionals who have dedicated their careers to building a more resilient Australia,” Cyber Daily editor Liam Garman said.
“From those quiet achievers who protect our information systems, through to those who have made a splash to make their organisations more cyber secure.
“I congratulate all of our finalists and winners, and look forward to celebrating with you again next year!”
Momentum Media and Cyber Daily congratulates all of this year’s winners.