Alexandria, Va., August 27, 2026 – ISC2 – the world’s leading nonprofit member organization for cybersecurity professionals – today announced recipients of its 2026 ISC2 Global Achievement Awards, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the cybersecurity field, furthering ISC2’s vision of a safe and secure cyber world.

“The ISC2 Global Achievement Awards recognize the professionals, partners and chapters whose dedication, resilience and service help keep people, organizations and communities safe every day,” said ISC2 CEO Scott Beale, CC. “Their contributions often happen behind the scenes, but their impact is felt across the cybersecurity profession and throughout the communities they serve. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the role they play in strengthening the profession, expanding opportunity and helping build a safer and more secure digital world for everyone.”

The awards fall into several categories, including Special Recognition, Professional and Chapter and the Center for Cyber Safety and Education.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

The Special Recognition Awards recognize outstanding contributions and achievements in cybersecurity throughout a career.

The ISC2 CEO Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact on the cybersecurity community through their dedicated and exceptional efforts. They are the trailblazers and true change-makers whose intentions and actions have shaped enduring effects within the industry, leaving a legacy that extends for years to come.

  • Mark Healey, CISSP, CC, Senior Cyber Security Engineer, South Yorkshire Police

The ISC2 Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest tribute in cybersecurity. In memory of Harold F. Tipton, CISSP, the award recognizes a member for their lifelong contributions to the advancement of information security and the profession by serving, over the long term, with sustained excellence and distinction throughout their entire cybersecurity career.

  • Niel Harper, CISSP, Founder and Managing Director, Octave Digital

The ISC2 Volunteer Service Award recognizes volunteers who have provided sustained and valuable service to ISC2. Named in memory of James R. Wade, an esteemed, long-time contributor to ISC2, this award is ISC2’s privilege to honor his legacy.

  • Americas: Jatin Mannepalli, CISSP, CCSP, Information Security Officer, IMC Trading
  • Asia-Pacific: Neha Malhotra, CISSP, CCSP, Vice President – Cloud Tech Risk and Regulatory Response Lead, JPMorgan Chase 

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

The Professional Awards recognize the achievements and contributions of cybersecurity professionals during different stages of their careers.

The ISC2 Senior Professional Award recognizes an individual regionally who has significantly contributed to the enhancement of the cybersecurity workforce by demonstrating a leadership role in their profession.

  • Americas: Evan Francen, CISSP, Founder, FRSecure and Co-Founder and CEO, SecurityStudio, and Author
  • Asia-Pacific: Cyril Tan, CISSP, CSSLP, Quantum Security Architect, SpeQtral
  • Europe, Middle East and Africa: Kashif Iqbal, CISSP, Vice President of Cyber Security, SEGA 

The ISC2 Mid-Career Award recognizes an individual regionally who is at the mid-career stage and has demonstrated commitment and achievement in their profession.

  • Americas: Taylor Kaufman, CISSP, Head of Adversarial Intelligence and Hunt Operations, M&T Bank
  • Asia-Pacific: Zhihao Zhou, ISSAP, ISSMP, CISSP, CCSP, CSSLP, CGRC, SSCP, Deputy Director, Security Architecture and Consultancy, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
  • Europe, Middle East and Africa: Aaron Fletcher, CISSP, SSCP, Security Architect and Lead Consultant, CyberArk 

The ISC2 Rising Star Professional Award recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of an up-and-coming professional regionally who has made a significant impact in the cybersecurity industry early in their career.

  • Americas: Saquib Saifee, CISSP, Software Security Engineer, IBM 
  • Asia-Pacific: RuRu Cheng, CC, Director, iFUS System Consultants Ltd. 
  • Europe, Middle East and Africa: Austin Orumwense, CC, Security Operations Specialist and SOC Team Captain, Novacoast 

ISC2 PROGRAM AWARDS

The ISC2 Program Awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions and community impact within the cybersecurity community.

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, the charitable arm of ISC2, is committed to making the cyber world a safe place for everyone. The Center’s mission is to grow the cybersecurity profession and its positive impact on the world by raising awareness, building a diverse pipeline of cybersecurity professionals and activating a more secure digital world.

The Outstanding Volunteer Award recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to the betterment of society and the cybersecurity community through the support of the Center. With a passion for the cybersecurity community and a desire to give back, this recipient is considered a go-to volunteer helping to make society safer while supporting various initiatives within the Center.

  • Roela Santos, Principal, GT Risk Consulting

The Outstanding Partner Award recognizes a company or organization for their support of the Center and its mission to grow the cybersecurity profession and its positive impact on the world by raising awareness, building a diverse pipeline of cybersecurity professionals, and activating a more secure digital world.   

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ISC2 Chapter Recognition Awards are presented to official chapters of ISC2 within a specific region that best promotes the vision of ISC2 by inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. The chapter must demonstrate a well-rounded offering of activities and services designed to benefit its members and affiliates while significantly contributing to the profession and local community through the ISC2 Chapter Program of Connect, Educate, Inspire and Secure.

This year’s regional chapter award recipients are:

  • Asia-Pacific:  Chennai Chapter 
  • Europe, Middle East and Africa:  Hellenic Chapter
  • Latin America:  Guatemala Chapter
  • North America:  Toronto Chapter

The ISC2 Inclusion Impact Award recognizes individuals who have championed an inclusive workforce built on a wide range of backgrounds and respect for diverse experiences. The ISC2 Inclusion Impact Award is awarded to three regional recipients who have demonstrated significant contributions to fostering a qualified, resilient cybersecurity profession where everyone’s future is secured.

  • Americas: Dr. Meg Layton, CISSP, CSSLP, Director, Security Architecture and Engineering, Children’s National Hospital  
  • Asia-Pacific: Associate Professor Elena Sitnikova, PhD, CSSLP, Leading Academic in Cybersecurity and Networking in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University 
  • Europe, Middle East and Africa: Austin Orumwense, CC, Security Operations Specialist and SOC Team Captain, Novacoast 

For more information on the Global Achievement Awards program, including descriptions of each award category and eligibility details, please visit: https://www.isc2.org/About/Award-Programs.

About ISC2

ISC2 is the world’s leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our more than 270,000 certified members, and associates, are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity’s premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world. Our charitable foundation, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, helps create more access to cyber careers and educates those most vulnerable. Learn more, get involved or become an ISC2 Candidate to build your cyber career at ISC2.org. Connect with us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

© 2026 ISC2 Inc., ISC2, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, CGRC, CSSLP, HCISPP, ISSAP, ISSEP, ISSMP, CC, and CBK are registered marks of ISC2, Inc.

Media Contact:

Amanda Steinman
Senior Corporate Communications Manager
ISC2
asteinman@isc2.org