Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Presidential Court

Nominations are now open|Submit your entries before the deadline on 30th May, 2025.

FAQ

The UAE Cybersecurity Council (CSC) Awards, officially known as the "Cybersecurity Awards & Recognition Programme," is an inaugural program designed to honor exceptional achievements in the cybersecurity field. The awards recognize individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and resilience in advancing cybersecurity.

The CSC Awards are organized by the UAE Cybersecurity Council, which was established in November 2020 by the UAE Cabinet with the aim of developing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy and creating a safe and strong cyber infrastructure in the UAE.

The awards ceremony will be held on June 18, 2025, at the Space42 Arena in Abu Dhabi.

The vision is to establish the UAE as a global leader in cybersecurity through recognition, encouragement, and promotion of talent, innovation, and excellence. The mission is to celebrate and reward outstanding contributions in the cybersecurity sector, attract and nurture top talent, foster innovation, and showcase the nation's commitment to digital safety and security.

Nominations and Eligibility

Nominations must be submitted before the deadline on May 30, 2025.

Eligible participants include individuals and organizations from various sectors:

  • Individuals: Cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and leaders
  • Public Sector: Government agencies and public institutions
  • Private Sector: Companies and corporations across industries
  • Academia: Educational institutions, researchers, and faculty
  • Startups: Emerging companies in the cybersecurity space

Individuals can submit nominations for themselves, their organizations, or peers in the cybersecurity field.

To submit a nomination:

  • 1. Register to join the CSC Awards community at //www.event.cscawards.ae
  • 2. Complete the nomination form for yourself, an organization, or a peer
  • 3. Submit all required documentation before the May 25, 2025 deadline

While specific requirements may vary by category, nominations generally should include:

  • Contact information for both the nominator and nominee
  • The award category being applied for
  • A detailed description of achievements and contributions to cybersecurity
  • Supporting documentation, such as project results, testimonials, or case studies
  • Information about the impact of the nominee's work on cybersecurity

Yes, individuals and organizations can be nominated for multiple categories if they meet the eligibility criteria for each.

The nomination is free of charge

Award Categories

The CSC Awards encompass a wide range of categories, including:

  • CATEGORY 1 - Individuals: Honors exceptional contributions by individuals in cybersecurity.
    • 1. CISO of the year
    • 2. Cyber Woman of the year
    • 3. Cyber Emirati of the year
    • 4. Cyber Influencer of the year
    • 5. Cyber Entrepreneur of the year
    • 6. Cyber Star Government sector
    • 7. Cybersecurity Lifetime Achievement Award
    • 8. National Digital Resilience Educator Award
    • 9. Cybersecurity Research Excellence Award
    • 10.Cybersecurity Rising Star Award
  • CATEGORY 2 - Public Sector: Recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations by teams/organizations in the public sector.
    • 1. Excellence in Cybersecurity Compliance
    • 2. Excellence in Cybersecurity Policy Enhancement
    • 3. Best Bug Bounty Program
    • 4. Best Cybersecurity Team
    • 5. Best use of AI/ML in Cybersecurity
  • AWARD CATEGORY 3 - Private Sector: Recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations by organizations in the private sector.
    • 1. Excellence in Cyber Threat Intelligence
    • 2. Innovation in Cybersecurity Technology
    • 3. Best Incident Response
    • 4. Best Cybersecurity Team
    • 5. Excellence in Cyber Risk Management
    • 6. Best Cybersecurity Training Program
    • 7. Best use of AI/ML in Cybersecurity
    • 8. Best Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation
    • 9. Excellence in Cybersecurity Architecture
    • 10. Excellence in Cybersecurity Research
    • 11. Best Cybersecurity Project Award
    • 12. Best Cybersecurity Solution Award
    • 13. Best Cybersecurity Awareness Program
  • AWARD CATEGORY 4 - Academia: Recognizes outstanding research contributions and innovative advancements in cybersecurity by academic teams and institutions.
    • 1. Cybersecurity Curriculum Innovation Award
    • 2. Best Cybersecurity Awareness Initiative
    • 3. Digital Safety Outreach Excellence Award
    • 4. Best Cybersecurity Education Program
  • AWARD CATEGORY 5 - Startups: Recognizes outstanding achievements and groundbreaking innovations by startups in the cybersecurity industry.
    • 1. Cybersecurity Startup of the Year
    • 2. Innovative Cybersecurity Solution Award
    • 3. Cybersecurity Impact Award
    • 4. Cybersecurity Community Engagement Award
    • 5. Rising Star in Cyber Defense
    • 6. AI-Powered Security Pioneer
    • 7. Zero Trust Architecture Champion

For detailed descriptions of each category, please visit the official website: Awards.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of these key phases:

  • 1. Initial review of nominations by an expert panel to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria
  • 2. Evaluation of shortlisted nominees by judges based on their achievements and contributions to cybersecurity
  • 3. Final selection of winners in each category

The judging panel consists of cybersecurity experts, industry leaders, and representatives from the UAE Cybersecurity Council. The exact composition of the judging panel will be announced on the official website.

While specific criteria may vary by category, judges typically evaluate:

  • Innovation and originality
  • Impact and effectiveness
  • Leadership and vision
  • Technical excellence
  • Contribution to the cybersecurity field
  • Alignment with UAE's cybersecurity vision

After Nomination

Shortlisted nominees will be contacted directly after the initial review process. Keep an eye on the official website and your registered email for updates.

Winners will be honored at the award ceremony on June 18, 2025. They will receive recognition for their achievements and contributions to cybersecurity, which may include trophies, certificates, and other forms of acknowledgment.

Yes, winners will be featured in press releases, on the CSC Awards website, and through various media channels. This provides excellent visibility for individuals and organizations in the cybersecurity field.

Contact and Support

For more information, visit the official website at https://cscawards.ae

Follow the UAE Cybersecurity Council's official social media channels for updates, or register on the CSC Awards website to receive email notifications.