2025 Cyber Excellence Awards
The 2025 Cyber Excellence Awards are more than just accolades, they’re a celebration of the people behind the screens, defending our digital future with unwavering passion, grit, and expertise. In 2025, we continue to champion the individuals and teams who make up the heart of New Zealand’s cybersecurity community, the quiet achievers, the relentless defenders, and the innovators pushing our industry forward.
CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS & FINALISTS OF 2025!
CISO of the Year
Shining the light on outstanding leadership in cybersecurity, this award showcases the vital role CISOs play in protecting organizations from digital threats. This award highlights innovative strategies and excellence, inspiring other professionals to strive for high standards in the field. Celebrating a top CISO emphasizes the importance of strong leadership in maintaining organizational resilience and attracting top talent. Ultimately, the award supports a more secure digital future by acknowledging those who excel in safeguarding data and infrastructure.
2025 CISO OF THE YEAR WINNER
Richard Harrison
Foodstuffs SI
2025 HONORABLE ACHIEVEMENT
Darren Beattie
Tower Insurance
2025 CISO OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Christophe Demoor
Auckland Transport
Darren Beattie
Tower Insurance
Richard Harrison
Foodstuffs SI
Ronal Nair
Fiji Ports
Vinit Vishal Sen
Centrecom
CyberSec Woman of the Year
As more women turn to careers in cybersecurity, it is important to celebrate the contributions and achievements of exceptional pioneering women in the cybersecurity field. This award brings the spotlight on often modest role models who inspired as they paved the way. Recognizing the unique perspectives and innovations women bring to the field strengthens the industry as a whole and supports the ongoing effort to enhance cybersecurity for organizations and society. Ultimately, this award champions women's progress and excellence in the cybersecurity profession.
2025 CYBERSEC WOMAN OF THE YEAR WINNER
Renu Sharma
Tait
Communications
2025 CYBERSEC WOMAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Emma Adams
Southern Cross Health Society
Larissa Kolver
Securecom
Monique Mckenna
Datacom
Meera Lekshmy
Auckland Airport
Renu Sharma
Tait
Communications
Tina Moulynox
Kinetics
SOC Analyst of the Year
As the eyes and ears of an organization’s security posture, SOC analysts are on the frontlines — identifying, analyzing, and responding to threats. Their ability to detect anomalies, manage incidents under pressure, and provide swift, strategic responses is critical to good defense.By recognizing outstanding SOC analysts, this award shines a spotlight on their technical expertise, relentless vigilance, and unwavering dedication to protecting sensitive systems, data, and people from cyber harm. Their work often goes unnoticed, but without them, cybersecurity operations simply wouldn’t function.
2025 SOC ANALYST THE YEAR WINNER
JP Van Nieuwholtz
Defend
2025 SOC ANALYST THE YEAR FINALISTS
Benjamin Reilly
Securecom
JP Van Nieuwholtz
Defend
Liam Elliott
Datacom
Oliver Sherwin
MTF Finance
Sheridan Seales
Spark NZ
CyberSec Team of the Year
Recognizing top cybersecurity teams emphasizes the value of teamwork, collaboration and specialized knowledge in protecting organizations from cyber threats. By showcasing exceptional teams, the award celebrates those who worked collaboratively to strengthen defenses against digital threats. The award promotes heightened safety and security in the digital realm in thanks to team work!
2025 CYBERSEC TEAM OF THE YEAR WINNER
Reserve Bank NZ
2025 CYBERSEC TEAM OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Datacom
One NZ
Reserve Bank NZ
VT Solutions
Tait Communications
CyberSec Project of the Year
This award recognizes a standout initiative that has significantly elevated an organization’s cybersecurity posture. It celebrates projects that go beyond business as usual — from complex system overhauls and technology deployments to creative awareness campaigns and strategic process improvements.Cybersecurity projects often involve cross-functional collaboration, tight deadlines, and high stakes. This category highlights the teams and leaders who rise to that challenge — aligning business and security goals, overcoming obstacles, and delivering solutions that truly make a difference.
2025 CYBERSEC PROJECT OF THE YEAR WINNER
Tait Communications
2025 CYBERSEC PROJECT OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
CyberGrape
One NZ
Securecom
VT Solutions
Tait Communications
CYBER EXCELLENCE AWARDS SPONSOR
Thank you to Mimecast for sponsoring the 2025 Cyber Excellence Awards.
2025 PARTNER AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to all our 2025 Partner Award winners — the driving force behind innovation, enablement, and success across the cybersecurity ecosystem. These awards celebrate the partnerships that turn great technology into real-world protection, recognising partners who’ve gone above and beyond to deliver value, trust, and results.
MIMECAST 2025
Partner of the Year
SPARK NZ
MIMECAST 2025
Rising Star Partner
VT SOLUTIONS
NETSKOPE 2025
Partner of the Year
SPARK NZ
CYBERARK 2025
NZ Partner of the Year
WEBSECURE INTELLIGENCE
CYBERARK 2025
NZ Partner of the Year
SSS
ESET 2025
NZ Partner of the Year
COMPUTER AID
CYBERARK 2025
NZ Partner of the Year
