Cybersecurity Association Announces 2026 Cybersecurity Award Finalists
COLUMBIA, MD — The Cybersecurity Association (CA) today announced the finalists for the 10th Anniversary Cybersecurity Awards. These competitive awards recognize leading cybersecurity products and services, as well as the individuals, organizations, change-makers, and innovators making significant contributions to the cybersecurity ecosystem.
Finalists include:
Cybersecurity Company of the Year
Advantage Technologies
Atruent
Balance Theory
BTS
Camelot Secure
Cheaper Than A Geek
DP Solutions
Hopr
RedZone Technologies
Cybersecurity Company to Watch
Camelot Secure
Captiva Solutions
Cipher
Nyla Technology Solutions
Government Contractor of the Year
CNF Technologies
Dobbs Defense Solutions
Intelligenesis
Minerva Cyber Technologies
Rohde & Schwarz
Cybersecurity Innovator of the Year
Deployed Global Solutions
RedZone Technologies
Cybersecurity Workforce Champion of the Year
Camelot Secure
Christopher Barber, Cheaper Than A Geek
Cyber Workforce Accelerator (CWA)
John Bruns, Cyber Ready Clinic
Juan Mathews Rebello Santos, Metadados
Karen Austin, U.S. Cybersecurity Magazine
Kelli Arena, National Cryptologic Foundation
SANS Institute
Rising Cyber Star
Andrew DeFeo, Cipher
Cassandra Laningham, Student
Chinwe Okpala, Student
Michele Haltmeyer, Student
Tyrr Parker, DigiFlight
Cybersecurity Leader of the Year
Aubrey "Gene" Ikner, Cecil County Government
Christopher Barber, Cheaper Than A Geek
Gen. Michael Flowers, Camelot Secure
James Crifasi, Red Zone Technologies
Michael Echols, Max Cybersecurity
Ron Connelly, DP Solutions
Shahmeer Amir, Veiliux, SpeeQR
Tom Quinn. T. Rowe Price
Cyber Warrior Woman of the Year
Alyx Van Stockum, RealmOne
Anmol Agarwal, Nokia
Candice Scarborough-Sanchez, Parsons Corp.
Dr. Loyce Pailen
Erica Dobbs, Dobbs Defense Solutions
Karen Austin, U.S. Cybersecurity Magazine
Koren Wise, Wide Technical Innovations
Krupa Brahmkstri, Visa
Nidhi Srivastava, Digiarmorx
Rebecca Duve, Edwards Performance Solutions
Sandra Zaatra, Maryland Judiciary
Sneha Rangari, Visa
Tannu Jiwnani, Microsoft
Tina Williams-Koroma, Tcecure
Yolanda Reid, The MIL Corporation
Award winners will be announced during the 10th Anniversary Cybersecurity Awards on September 30, 2026 at Maryland Jockey Club. The awards celebrate the best and brightest across the cybersecurity industry and honor those whose innovative products, services, leadership, and dedication help protect businesses, government entities, and communities.
An expert panel of judges selected the finalists from more than 94 nominations submitted for this year's awards. In addition to the judged categories, People's Choice winners will be selected through popular vote. For more information about the finalists and People's Choice voting, please visit the VOTING LINK.
Information about attending or sponsoring the 2026 Cybersecurity Awards Ceremony is available at here.
“We are thrilled to recognize this year's Cybersecurity Awards finalists,” said Jacqui Magnes, Acting Board Chair, CEO, COMSO. “These individuals and organizations represent the innovation, leadership, and dedication that continue to strengthen Maryland's cybersecurity community and the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.”
About the Cybersecurity Association of Maryland
The Cybersecurity Association (CA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cybersecurity through advocacy, collaboration, and community building. The association helps members connect with one another, industry resources, and potential private- and public-sector buyers. CA also provides programs and resources that support the growth and development of Maryland's cybersecurity community and hosts the Speakers Bureau, an exclusive database of cybersecurity professionals available as a benefit to the community.
