RISING STAR
This category celebrates individuals in the early stages of their careers, specifically, those with less than five years of experience. They have demonstrated exceptional promise in the fields of Privacy, Compliance, Security, InfoSec or Data Ethics. Nominees should provide evidence of significant contributions, such as leading innovative projects, introducing new approaches within their role, or making impactful changes within their organizations. Submissions should highlight the nominee’s potential for future leadership and their commitment to advancing the industry.
DATA PROTECTION / PRIVACY TEAM OF THE YEAR
This category honours a team that has demonstrated excellence in delivering privacy and data protection strategies, operations, and outcomes within their organisation. Submissions should showcase how the team has embedded privacy by design, improved data handling practices, responded to regulatory demands, or led impactful privacy initiatives. Nominations should reflect strong collaboration, innovation, and measurable progress in building a mature privacy programme.
BRIDGING THE PRIVACY AND SECURITY GAP
This award acknowledges efforts that effectively integrate privacy and security functions to deliver greater organisational alignment and improved outcomes. Nominees should showcase collaborative initiatives that address overlapping challenges and promote unified strategies, such as shared risk assessments, joint frameworks, or combined governance models. Submissions should illustrate how these efforts have enhanced communication, reduced silos, and resulted in tangible benefits for both domains.
MOST OUTSTANDING DPO
This award recognises an exceptional Data Protection Officer (DPO) who has demonstrated leadership in ensuring robust data protection practices within their organisation. Submissions should highlight the nominee’s success in managing data protection risks, influencing senior leadership, and fostering a culture of privacy. Key achievements could include driving compliance, implementing privacy strategies, and overcoming challenges to protect data and rights. The nominee should show how they’ve effectively integrated privacy into business operations and ensured the organisation meets regulatory requirements.
MOST OUTSTANDING DPA
This category honours a Data Protection Authority that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in promoting and enforcing data protection across its jurisdiction. The award recognises a DPA that has gone beyond regulatory compliance to champion privacy rights, drive public awareness, and foster trust through transparency and collaboration.
MOST IMPACTFUL DATA PRIVACY PRODUCT
This award celebrates a product, platform, or tool that has made a significant impact in advancing data privacy, protection, and ethical data use. The winning solution should demonstrate measurable outcomes in improving how individuals or organisations manage, secure, or control personal data.
MOST INNOVATIVE DATA PRIVACY PROJECT
This award recognises a groundbreaking project or initiative that has introduced novel approaches to addressing data privacy and protection challenges. The project should exemplify creativity, originality, and measurable impact in the way data is managed, governed, or safeguarded.
INFOSEC CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Awarded to an individual who has made a noteworthy contribution to information security. Nominees should present initiatives that strengthen security posture, mitigate risks, and promote best practices, such as leading major security improvements, driving best practices across an organisation, or bridging the gap between technical and business stakeholders. Submissions should showcase measurable impact and how the individual has championed security as an enabler of trust and resilience.
DIVERSITY, ETHICS & INCLUSION LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD
This award honours individuals or organisations leading the way in embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the privacy or security sectors. Nominees should highlight programmes or policies that foster inclusive environments and equitable opportunities, such as internal leadership programmes, mentorship, inclusive hiring practices, or broader contributions to the representation and inclusion of underrepresented voices in the field. Submissions should demonstrate sustained and measurable progress, with DE&I at the heart of their values and operations.
RESPONSIBLE AI & DATA ETHICS INITIATIVE OR LEADERSHIP
This award recognizes efforts in developing or leading responsible AI and data ethics practices. Nominees should provide examples of ethical frameworks, governance models, or initiatives that guide responsible technology use, demonstrating leadership in ensuring ethical approaches to artificial intelligence and data use. Submissions should highlight how these efforts promote fairness, accountability, transparency, and societal benefit.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN’S DATA AWARD
This category is awarded to organizations or individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to protecting children’s data. Nominees should demonstrate strategies that address the unique challenges of handling children’s data responsibly, such as innovative approaches to age-appropriate design, parental controls, digital literacy, or privacy-by-design specific to children’s products and services.
DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
This category recognizes a law firm that has delivered outstanding support in the areas of privacy, data protection, and related legal disciplines. Submissions should outline the firm’s achievements over the past year, including notable client work, leadership in regulatory matters, contributions to policy development, or innovative legal solutions. Nominees should include examples that demonstrate a depth of expertise, industry impact, and commitment to advancing privacy and data ethics through legal practice.
