Celebrating Cybersecurity’s Unsung Heroes: The 10th Annual Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards
Organized by Eskenzi PR, the tenth annual Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards took place at St. Barts Pub in London, creating a vibrant gathering of professionals committed to enhancing cybersecurity. This year’s event was noteworthy for uniting a diverse group of individuals including cybersecurity professionals, educators, industry leaders, and advocates, all dedicated to recognizing the critical work often performed out of the spotlight.
Distinct from other industry awards, the Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards are notable for being free to enter and attend. This initiative aims to honor individuals and teams that go above and beyond in their efforts to safeguard businesses, communities, and individuals from cyber threats. In addition, the awards emphasize important themes such as diversity, wellbeing, education, and the cultivation of future cybersecurity talent.
The event was supported by several sponsors, including CultureAI, Filigran, OneAdvanced, and The Zensory, along with additional contributions from CyberASAP and Pulse Conferences. Media partnerships included significant players such as Computer Weekly, Information Security Buzz, and IT Security Guru, adding to the event’s visibility and reach.
Yvonne Eskenzi, the Director of Eskenzi PR and the founder of the awards, expressed her thoughts on the importance of the ceremony. "The Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards are all about recognizing the incredible people working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our businesses, communities, and country safe," she stated. Eskenzi highlighted the often thankless nature of cybersecurity work, noting that the contributions of many dedicated professionals frequently remain unseen. The awards serve as a platform to shine a light on their achievements while also acknowledging the diverse and fresh perspectives that are vital in shaping the future of the industry. "It was fantastic to bring the cybersecurity community together once again to recognize these remarkable individuals. Congratulations to all our nominees and winners!" she added.
Winners of the 2026 Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards
The accomplishments of this year’s winners reflected a wide array of talent within the cybersecurity industry, encompassing frontline security professionals, ethical hackers, educators, content creators, and community advocates. A complete list of winners showcases the remarkable individuals who stood out for their exceptional contributions:
- Cyber Correspondent: Phil Muncaster
- Godfather of Security: Andy James, Founder and CEO of Custodian360
- Godmother of Security: Dr. Emma Philpott, CEO of IASME
- Data Guardian: Peter Slevin, Cyber Engagement Senior Technical Lead at Bank of Ireland
- CISO Supremo: Andrea Litherland, CISO at Domestic & General
- Security Avengers: Revenge Porn Helpline
- Best Educator: Dr. Chidimma Opara, Senior Lecturer in AI at The Manchester Metropolitan University
- Best Ethical Hacker/Pen Tester: Dominic Mortimer, Head of Red Team at WorkNest Secure
- Channel Champion: Olly Carter, Senior Channel Sales Director at Forescout
- Senior Leader/Mentor: Meera Tamboli, DFIR Analyst at AVEVA
- Cybersecurity Wellbeing Advocate: Nikki Webb, Director at Custodian360
- Best Security Awareness Campaign: Cyber Local, a collaborative initiative involving multiple local organizations
- Diversity Champion: Segan Ebenezer Olaniyan, Information Security Analyst II at Kraken Technologies
- Apprentice/Rising Star: Jordan Daglish, Acumen Cyber
- Cyber Scribe: Dr. Runli Guo, creator of the LinkedIn newsletter Reducing Blast Radius
- Voice of Security: The Cyber Agony Aunts podcast and Ant Davis, creator of The Awareness Angle
- Best Academic Entrepreneur: Dr. Peter Garraghan, CEO of Mindgard
Community and Collaboration
The importance of community and collaboration in cybersecurity was underscored by the remarks made by Olly Carter, who received the Channel Champion Award. He emphasized that achievements in the cybersecurity channel are rarely a function of individual effort, stressing the significance of teamwork. “It’s a real honor to be recognized with the Channel Champion Award, but the truth is that nobody achieves anything in the channel alone!” Carter stated, acknowledging the influence of his talented team at Forescout and the importance of strong partnerships.
The Voice of Security Award was awarded to both the Cyber Agony Aunts podcast – hosted by Rebecca Taylor and Amelia Hewitt – and Ant Davis, a leading cybersecurity content creator. Taylor and Hewitt expressed their pride in receiving this recognition, highlighting the podcast’s focus on community, honesty, and the human aspect of cybersecurity. “To see the podcast recognized like this is something we’re incredibly proud of. This award belongs just as much to our guests and the community as it does to us,” they stated.
Nikki Webb received the Cybersecurity Wellbeing Advocate Award for her dedication to supporting professionals in a challenging industry. Webb commented, “Looking after the people behind the screens matters just as much as the technology itself, and I’m so proud to see that recognized.”
Focus on Education and Innovation
A strong emphasis was placed on education and innovation during this year’s awards. Dr. Chidimma Opara won the Best Educator Award, lauded for her efforts in motivating and inspiring upcoming cybersecurity talents. “If my students leave my classroom feeling valued, believing in themselves a little more and inspired to reach their potential, then I know I am doing something worthwhile,” she reflected.
Cyber Local’s recognition for the Best Security Awareness Campaign underscored the importance of collaboration between different sectors. Emily Rosenorn-Lanng, the project’s CEO, remarked, “To win Best Security Awareness Initiative, in a category full of such strong work, means a huge amount to me.”
The newly introduced Cyber Scribe category acknowledged Dr. Runli Guo for her insightful LinkedIn newsletter, Reducing Blast Radius, which addresses emerging challenges in cybersecurity. Dr. Guo explained, “Sharing practical insights and hands-on demonstrations allows security professionals to better understand and mitigate potential threats.”
The event concluded with a charity raffle that raised £250 for NSPCC Childline, affirming the culture of community support that permeates the cybersecurity field.
A Decade of Acknowledging Cybersecurity’s Invisible Champions
The ceremony was expertly hosted by Yvonne Eskenzi alongside Clive Room from Pulse Conferences. Winners were selected by a diverse panel of judges, bringing together experts from academia, media, and the cybersecurity industry.
As the Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards reaches a decade of celebrating the contributions of individuals whose work extends beyond technical skills, it continues to promote values such as mentorship, collaboration, and inclusivity within the profession. More information about the awards can be found at www.securityserious.com.
With these awards, a brighter future for cybersecurity is being shaped—one that honors both expertise and the vital human element that underpins it all.