Critical Infrastructure Security Summit Flywheel Awards

Recognize accomplishments by federal employees and programs that transform and innovate federal technology.

Awards Categories

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Rising Star

Rising Star

The Rising Star is an emerging leader in critical infrastructure security who demonstrates a commitment to strengthening the security and resilience of essential systems. This individual is helping advance new programs, technologies or approaches that improve visibility, reduce risk or better protect IT and operational technology environments.
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Cyber Leader

Cyber Leader

The Cyber Leader award recognizes outstanding leadership. This person inspires others to see a vision for a safe and secure cyber world in and out of the federal government through developing and upskilling the workforce.
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Infrastructure Resilience Champion

Infrastructure Resilience Champion

The Infrastructure Defender demonstrates a commitment to protecting the systems and services essential to government and the public. This individual strengthens foundational security practices, improves awareness of vulnerabilities and threats, and advocates for the resources, partnerships and technologies needed to reduce risk across critical infrastructure environments.
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AI Security Innovator

AI Security Innovator

The AI Security Innovator applies artificial intelligence, automation or advanced analytics to strengthen critical infrastructure defenses. This individual is helping organizations identify anomalies, prioritize threats, accelerate incident response or better understand risk while ensuring appropriate human oversight.
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CISO of the Year

CISO of the Year

The CISO of the Year award honors a leader who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to protecting critical systems, data and operations. This individual strategically aligns cybersecurity with mission needs, champions modernization and resilience, and builds the partnerships and security practices necessary to address evolving threats.

Cast Your Vote Below

Cast Your Vote Below

Important Dates

Entry Deadline: October 23, 2026 

 

Finalists Announced: November 2, 2026 

 

Voting: November 2 – 20, 2026  

Winners Announced: January 8, 2027 at the Critical Infrastructure Security Summit in Tysons, VA

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Hear From Past Winners

The efforts of the entire team continue to drive CORA to rapidly adapt to new threats and vulnerabilities in ways that were not possible with CCRI. The remediations of key indicators of risk during the assessment have expedited the most important fixes by leaps and bounds.

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Charles Wille, JFHQ-DODIN

Cyber Defender 2025 Winner |

Our team and people across Navy and Marine Corps are working to modernize systems and capabilities for our Marines and sailors. Because, at the end of the day, getting them the capabilities that they need is the only thing that matters to us. We just want to make them the winners.

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Beth Caswell, Department of the Navy

Digital Transformer 2025 Winner |

Data is a team sport and there are several airmen and guardians in the room. I thank each and every one of you because we wouldn’t be where we are today without every single one of you making data a part of your core DNA and everything that you do every single day.

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Eileen Vidrine, Air Force

Data Advocate 2024 Winner |

As I accept this award for Interoperability Leader, a lot of people ask me what credentials do I have and what training did I have? And I simply say passion. ... I also say there’s a lot of i’s in interoperability: there’s innovation, ingenuity, intelligence, there’s industry, there’s not be willing to say that we innovate in silos and then there’s raising a hand and saying I want to help.

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Amanda Cournoyer, Department of Veterans Affairs

Interoperability Leader 2023 Winner |

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Why the Flywheel?

The flywheel — a critical component in a machine to increase its momentum — is also a critical symbol representing our goal to keep federal IT decision-makers informed on technology’s impact on government. This momentum is what fuels the constant need for transformers to innovate around strategies, systems and tools to keep government functioning efficiently.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or issues accessing the form,
please contact Director of Events Ruslana Meyerson at
Ruslana.Meyerson@govcio.com

 

Sponsorships available.
Contact Jennifer.Weiss@govcio.com