Difference Makers Awards 2024
Voting for the 2024 Difference Makers Awards has now closed and the planning for the ceremony is underway! Stay tuned, we'll be posting the livestream links here soon, so you can tune in that night.
Interested in Sponsoring the 2024 DMA's?
If you'd like to learn more about how your organization can be involved in next year's ceremony, email us at differencemakers@sans.org.
Why are the DMAs special?
There are thousands of cyber security practitioners out there who are quietly succeeding and making breakthroughs every day in advancing security. It's time to recognize these individuals and teams.
At the SANS Cyber Defense Initiative conference in December 2024, SANS will hold its annual celebration of the most dedicated and innovative people who made a difference in security in 2024.
This prestigious annual awards program honors individuals and teams in the cyber security community who have made a measurable and significant difference in security. Through their implementation of security processes or technology, each person has raised the bar in enabling secure business operations and reducing risk.
We have expanded the awards to include top mentors, content creators and the most influential champions focused on building the next generation. We've also partnered with on Chris Cochran and Ron Eddings from Hacker Valley Media as they share our passion for supporting the unsung heroes of cybersecurity and the humans at work behind the technology.
The common denominator in each nominee is their willingness and ability to do what SANS calls 'Fight the Good Fight' in advancing the state of practice in cybersecurity.
Difference Makers Awards 2024 Categories & Finalists
| Category | Description | Nominees |
Article or Book of the Year | Published content in book or article form that makes a significant contribution to cybersecurity literature. | Russian Information Warfare - by Dr. Bilyana Lilly The Mighty Threat Intelligence Warrior - by Nicole Hoffman Stronger Together: Women in Cybersecurity - by David Meece and Emily Zakkak Cyber for Builders: The Essential Guide to Building a Cybersecurity Startup - by Ross Haleliuk Teaching Cybersecurity: A Handbook for Teaching the Cybersecurity Body of Knowledge in a Conventional Classroom - by Tamara Shoemaker, Daniel Shoemaker and Ken Sigler |
People’s Champion of the Year | Deeply supports the community through mentorship and/or social media presence provides valuable resources and connections for others in the field. Devotes significant time and energy to fostering talent and support those getting into cybersecurity. | Gianna Whitver Tennisha Martin David Meece Lynn Dohm Confidence Staveley Caitlin Sarian |
Diversity Champion of the Year | Devotes significant time and energy to fostering talent and increasing representation and participation of under-represented minorities. | Tennisha Martin Lynn Dohm Stacey Champagne Jamie Johnson Aastha Sahni |
Innovation of the Year (Open-Source or Product Tool) | Using unique approaches to succeed through innovation and risk-taking and/or creating an open-source tool of significant value. | David Bianco, Ryan Fetterman, Sydney Marrone for ‘The PEAK Threat Hunting Framework’ Dr. Mark Carney Christian Peter Jean-Pierre Lesueur Mick Douglas - Infosec Innovations - Concierge SGM Michael Bozman |
Podcast, Livestream or Video Series of the Year | Podcast or video of live-streamed content that makes a significant contribution to the industry. | Bare Knuckles and Brass Tacks Dani Woolf - Audience 1st Simply Cyber Daily Cyber Threat Brief BHIS: Talking bout the news Paul's Security Weekly |
Rising Star | Newer practitioners contributing in the industry - to keep an eye on. | Jack Sharpe Rich Greene Apurv Singh Gautam Keyur Rajyaguru Yaamini Barathi Mohan |
Team of the Year | A team who has done extraordinary work in the industry. | Black Girls Hack KC7 Team 709th Cyberspace Squadron, Air Force Technical Applications Center’s Cybersecurity Team" Splunk SURGe Sygnia Incident Response Team |
Practitioner of the Year | An individual who has done extraordinary work in the industry. | Ian Whiffin Immanuel Chavoya Thomas Roccia Nikki Robinson Genie Sugene Gan |
CISO of the Year | Displayed extraordinary leadership skills, dedication to their team and passion for fostering an inclusive, thriving team environment. | Annessa O. McKenzie Matt Hillary Ira Winkler Kayla Williams Raj Badhwar |
Cybersecurity Company of the Year | A community-minded company that offers high-quality products and services, demonstrates strong ethical standards, and exhibits exemplary leadership within cybersecurity. | ExtraHop MITRE Splunk, a Cisco company Dragos risk3sixty |
Lifetime Achievement Award | Transcends categories; has made substantial contributions to cybersecurity over many years. | Gene Spafford Carmen Marsh Lisa Ventura MBE Tony Sager Stephen Northcutt Ira Winkler |
2023 Difference Makers Awards Ceremony | Watch the Replay
The awards ceremony took place in Washington, DC on Wednesday, December 13, during SANS Cyber Defense Initiative 2023. It was a most special night of highlighting and celebrating our nominees — amazing unsung heroes in the cybersecurity community. Catch the replay on your channel of choice below.
Advisory Board
FAQ
What are the Difference Makers Awards?
This prestigious annual awards program, created by John Pescatore and our late founder Alan Paller, honors individuals and teams in the cyber security community who have made a measurable and significant difference in security. You can read more and view lists of previous winners at the links below.
Who can nominate someone for an award?
Anyone can make a nomination! We want to hear from people all around the industry.
What are the rules for nominating?
Complete all fields on the nomination form. The more detailed and specific your nomination, the better. The nomination should focus on work performed in the past couple years.
Is there a cost to nominate?
No! Nominations are free and open to anyone who wants to share great news about people and projects that deserve to be celebrated by the cybersecurity community.
Can people and teams receive multiple nominations for a single category? Does that help their case?
Yes, and no! People and teams can receive multiple nominations, but it won’t add weight to the selection process.
What happens after the nomination phase?
Two things: The nominations will be summarized, and we’ll post a new survey form for the public to vote for their choice in each category. At the same time, the SANS Advisory Board, made up of a panel of SANS instructors and industry practitioners, will review the nominations and make their selection. There will be two winners in each category – the People’s Choice winner and the SANS Advisory Board winner.
Who is the SANS Advisory Board?
The SANS Advisory Board represents a collective of SANS instructors and industry practitioners.
What is the voting schedule?
Submissions open – Monday, August 12
Submissions close – Friday, September 13
Finalists announced – Monday, October 14
How are the winners being chosen?
There will be two winners per category – one selected by a popular vote and one selected by a SANS/industry committee.
How does voting for the people’s choice work?
There will be a simple form available online.
Where and when is the award event being held?
Sunday, December 15 in Washington, DC during SANS Cyber Defense Initiative 2024.Is the travel for finalists subsidized?
There is travel support available for invited nominees as needed.