How to Nominate a Cybersecurity Star for the 2026 Awards: A Step-by-Step Guide

Recognizing the Unsung Heroes of Cybersecurity

For nearly two decades, headlines have focused on data breaches, ransomware attacks, and system failures. Yet behind every incident, there are professionals who work tirelessly to prevent, detect, and respond to threats. The Cybersecurity Stars Awards 2026, launched by The Hacker News, aim to shine a light on these individuals, teams, and products that keep our digital world safe. This guide walks you through the nomination process, from understanding eligibility to submitting a compelling entry.

What You Need

Before you begin, gather the following materials and information:

• Eligible nominee – an individual cybersecurity leader, a security team, or a security product/service that has demonstrated exceptional impact in the past year.
• Detailed description (500 words max) outlining the nominee’s contributions, challenges overcome, and measurable outcomes.
• Supporting evidence – links to case studies, press releases, or public references that validate the nominee’s work.
• Contact information for both the nominator and the nominee (name, email, phone, organization).
• Optional but recommended: a short video (2 minutes or less) or testimonial from colleagues or clients.
• Submission deadline: check the official awards page for the exact date (typically in the fall of 2025).

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

The awards are open to cybersecurity professionals, teams, and products worldwide. Eligibility criteria include:

• For individuals: C-suite executives, CISOs, security researchers, or frontline defenders who have led innovative initiatives or responded to major incidents.
• For teams: internal security departments, red/blue teams, or incident response units that demonstrated collaboration and effectiveness.
• For products: any security tool, platform, or service that proactively detects or mitigates threats 24/7, with evidence of real-world deployments.

Self-nominations are allowed, but third-party nominations are encouraged. The nominee must have been active for at least one full year before the submission date.

Step 2: Gather the Required Information

To create a strong nomination, collect these details:

• Nominee’s full name and position (or team name/product name).
• Organization – include website and headquarters location.
• Category – choose from Leadership, Team Excellence, or Product Innovation. If unsure, contact the awards team for guidance.
• Key accomplishment – focus on one major story that exemplifies the nominee’s impact. Use the “problem-solution-result” format.
• Metrics – quantify outcomes: reduced incident response time by X%, prevented Y breaches, saved Z dollars, etc.
• Challenges – describe difficult circumstances (e.g., budget constraints, high-pressure situations) and how they were overcome.
• Testimonials – at least one quote from a peer, client, or supervisor attesting to the nominee’s effectiveness.

Step 3: Write a Compelling Narrative

Your submission should tell a story that resonates with the judges. Follow these guidelines:

• Start with a strong lead – draw the reader in by highlighting a critical moment of decision or innovation.
• Explain the context – what was the threat landscape or business need that prompted the nominee’s action?
• Describe the action taken – be specific about strategies, technologies, or leadership moves.
• Show the impact – use data and anecdotes to illustrate before-and-after changes.
• Keep it concise – aim for 300–500 words. Avoid jargon unless necessary; define acronyms on first use.

For example: “When a zero-day vulnerability threatened our global operations, Jane Doe, our CISO, orchestrated a company-wide patch deployment in under 12 hours, coordinating with IT, legal, and PR teams. Her leadership reduced potential downtime from three days to eight hours, saving an estimated $2M.”

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Materials

Enhance your nomination with optional attachments:

• Case studies or white papers – link to public documents that detail the work.
• Video testimonial – a short clip (2 min. max) from the nominee or a stakeholder explaining the impact.
• Media coverage – any press articles or blog posts about the nominee.
• Metrics dashboard screenshot – if applicable, show a before-and-after KPI chart (sanitized for confidentiality).

Ensure all materials are in English or include a translated summary. Files should be in PDF, MP4, or JPG format, under 10 MB each.

Step 5: Submit Your Nomination

Go to the official Cybersecurity Stars Awards 2026 submission page (link will be live on The Hacker News website). Complete the online form:

• Enter your (nominator’s) contact details.
• Paste your narrative into the “Description” field.
• Provide links to supporting materials in the designated URLs section.
• Upload files (if applicable) under “Attachments.”
• Check all fields for accuracy and completeness.
• Click “Submit.”
• You will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours. If not, contact awards@thehackernews.com.

Step 6: Follow Up and Promote

After submission:

• Monitor your inbox – judges may request additional information. Respond promptly.
• Nominees can share – encourage the nominee to post about the nomination on LinkedIn or Twitter, tagging @TheHackerNews with the hashtag #CyberStars2026.
• Spread the word – tell colleagues and peers about the awards. Even if your nominee doesn’t win, the visibility amplifies the recognition of cybersecurity excellence.

Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony in early 2027. All finalists receive a digital badge and a mention on The Hacker News.

Tips for a Winning Nomination

• Focus on one story – a single, powerful narrative is more memorable than a laundry list of achievements.
• Use quantifiable results – numbers speak louder than adjectives. “Reduced phishing incidents by 80%” is stronger than “significantly improved security.”
• Highlight the human element – judges want to see leadership under pressure, team collaboration, and resilience.
• Avoid hype – stick to facts and avoid superlatives like “best” or “greatest” unless backed by independent verification.
• Proofread – grammatical errors or typos can undermine credibility. Have a colleague review the submission.
• Submit early – avoid the last-minute rush. The form may be slower near the deadline.
• Check eligibility – confirm that the nominee hasn’t won the same category in the previous two years (if applicable).

By following this guide, you’ll not only submit a complete nomination but also tell a story that honors the dedication behind cybersecurity defense. Good luck!