AFCEA International Announces 2023 Deadlines for Saint Isidore Cyber Award Nominations
Cybersecurity remains one of the most important security-related challenges facing governments, the military, industry and more. When you get right down to it, strong security is vital for any user on the internet, and those charged with protecting this ever-changing domain warrant recognition and praise.
Here is a brief history of how AFCEA International became involved with the Saint Isidore Award, along with the importance of recognizing cybersecurity professionals and changes to the award for 2023.
In 2010, the year the U.S. Army Cyber Command was created, AFCEA launched the Saint Isidore Award to recognize military and government members who demonstrate exceptional initiative, leadership, insight and cyber excellence within their areas of expertise.
During discussions with National Security Agency leadership in July 2022, officials agreed the award had merit at the highest level of government and recipients would be recognized annually at AFCEA International’s TechNet Cyber conference. Members of the armed services on active duty, Reserve and government civilian employees are eligible. Industry contractors, though they contribute significantly to improving cybersecurity, are not eligible.
The award is named for Saint Isidore of Seville, 560-636 AD, considered the last scholar of the ancient world and widely called the patron saint of the internet after being nominated in 1997 for the role, though not made official by the Catholic Church.
The award consists of three levels and recognizes 35 total excellent cyber professionals: Gold (five awards), Silver (10 awards) and Bronze (20 awards). The Gold award is for cybersecurity leadership contributions at the national level. The Silver award is for cybersecurity leadership at the military branch level. The Bronze award is for cybersecurity contributions at the major command level.
Recipients must be nominated and are chosen through a review board process consisting of nine judges from government, industry and academia.
The nomination bulletin will be released on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, and posted on AFCEA.org.
Nominations close on Friday, February 17, 2023. Selection board process runs from February 27 to March 27. Notifications will take place the week of March 28-April 7.
Please review the 2023 nomination memorandum for eligibility details, deadlines and to review sample nomination letters.
Winners will be invited to attend AFCEA's TechNet Cyber, taking place May 2-4 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Major commands are responsible for funding travel for winners. Winners who cannot attend will be awarded by their respective commands at an appropriate ceremony.
AFCEA International is soliciting an industry sponsor for this award. While industry is not eligible for this award, we know that contractors make up a good portion of the Department of Defense workforce.
For more details, visit the AFCEA Awards page or contact AFCEA’s Saint Isidore
Award coordinator Col. Mike Warlick, USMC (Ret.).
