Over the last decade, the FAIR Institute Awards Program has recognized dozens of professionals who have used the FAIR model to make an impact. Our program returns to the 10th annual FAIR Conference to celebrate the people and programs advancing the discipline of cyber risk management through the application of FAIR principles. Each year, these awards shine a spotlight on leaders, innovators, and community builders who are moving the profession forward with measurable outcomes, strategic innovation, and business alignment.
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 FAIR Institute Awards. Submissions are due by September 30, 2025. Finalists will be announced on October 16, and winners will be recognized at the FAIR Institute Awards Gala on November 4, 2025 at The Glasshouse in New York City, the opening night of the FAIR Conference.
Read below to learn about this year’s award categories, tips for successful submission, our judges, and key dates.
Award Categories
This year’s program features five categories:
1. FAIR Cyber Risk Executive of the Year Award
Honors CISOs and senior executives who demonstrate outstanding leadership in aligning cybersecurity with enterprise risk and business strategy, delivering measurable improvements in outcomes, and influencing business stakeholders.
Apply Here → https://www.fairinstitute.org/2025-award-app-executive
2. Cyber Risk Management Program of the Year Award
Recognizes teams that run mature, quantitative cyber risk programs with clear governance integration, measurable outcomes, and a track record of enabling better business decisions.
Apply Here → https://www.fairinstitute.org/2025-award-app-program
3. Excellence in Third-Party Cyber Risk Management Award
Celebrates risk leaders who apply quantitative methods to third-party risk, moving beyond compliance to deliver meaningful risk reduction for their organizations.
Apply Here → https://www.fairinstitute.org/2025-award-app-tpcrm
4. Cyber Insurance Innovation Award
For insurers and risk transfer leaders applying FAIR to improve underwriting, coverage, pricing, and communication, making cyber insurance more cost-effective and aligned to business needs.
Apply Here → https://www.fairinstitute.org/2025-award-app-insurance
5. FAIR Institute Denny Wan Ambassador Award
Renamed in 2025 in honor of Denny Wan, a beloved FAIR Institute member, chapter co-chair, and 2024 award recipient, this award recognizes members who champion FAIR through advocacy, mentorship, education, and community-building.
Apply Here → https://www.fairinstitute.org/2025-award-app-ambassador
Tips for a Successful Submission
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Be specific and concise: Responses are limited to 100–150 words per question. Focus on measurable outcomes, clear examples, and lessons learned.
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Highlight business impact: Where relevant, show how you’ve used FAIR to reduce risk, improve decision-making, speed up business, or align cybersecurity with strategic objectives.
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Don’t be modest. You’re promoting what you and/or your organization has accomplished. It’s time to be a bit bragadocious! The judges can only go off of the information you submit.
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Tell your story: Judges look for clarity of narrative, such as how you applied FAIR, the challenges you faced, and the results achieved.
Judges
- Chon Abraham, Professor, William & Mary
- Brian Allen, Managing Director and Author, AI RegRisk Think Tank
- Alexander Antukh, CISO, AboitizPower
- Glen Armes, Virtual CISO, Armes Vantage
- Brandon Bapst, Cyber Risk Advisor and Author, EY
- Mathias Bücherl, Group CISO, Heidelberg Materials
- Tom Callaghan, Co-Founder and Managing Director, C-Risk
- Zach Cossairt, Senior Director, Risk Advisory, SAFE Security
- Michelle Griffith, VP, Security GRC, IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Dana Haubold, Independent CISO / Cyber Security Advisor, United Arab Emirates
- Caleb Juhnke, Global Head of Cyber Risk Management, Elsevier
- Omar Khawaja, Field CISO, Databricks
- Tony Martin-Vegue, Cyber Risk Consultant and Author, Gmail
- Rob Moore, VP, Technology Risk Management, Mastercard
- Ben Moreland, Risk Practice Director, GuidePoint Security
- Mike Radigan, Cyber Risk Advisor, Cisco
- Nick Sanna, President and Founder, FAIR Institute
- Krishna Sheshabhattar, Head of Governance, Atlassian
- Daniel Stone, Director, Protiviti
- Mark Tomallo, SVP & CISO, Victoria's Secret
- Todd Tucker, Managing Director, FAIR Institute
Key Dates
- Nominations Close: September 30, 2025
- Judging Period: October 6–10, 2025
- Finalists Announced: October 16, 2025
- Awards Gala: November 4, 2025, at The Glasshouse, New York City
Don’t miss your chance to showcase your impact, celebrate your team, and inspire the FAIR community.
Submit your nominations today and join us in honoring excellence at the 2025 FAIR Institute Awards Gala!
