Winners announced in fourth annual iSANZ Awards

Specialist New Zealand information security firms, banks, public sector agencies, non-profits and highly-skilled professionals were honoured last night at the fourth annual iSANZ Awards.

Judged awards were handed out in five categories. A Hall of Fame Award was also presented – recognising one organisation’s enduring contribution to the industry.

Held annually, the iSANZ Awards recognise the exceptional people and organisations contributing expertise and insight in improving and benefiting New Zealand’s digital security.

iSANZ Board Chair Kendra Ross says modern cybersecurity approaches are, by necessity, flexible and agile. They have to be, to respond to the always-changing nature and frequency of malicious cyber attacks.

Entries received this year underscore the high standard, variety and innovation of the people and businesses working in such a fashion across New Zealand’s information security sector.

“We’ve again been hugely impressed by the accomplishments and achievements of all our entrants, finalists and winners. It reinforces the depth of InfoSec talent in New Zealand and the seriousness with which cybersecurity awareness is taken.”

The winners in the 2018 iSANZ Awards are:

Best Security Project / Initiative

GCSB, for its Cortex initiative.

Using threat information from a range of sources, CORTEX focuses on countering complex and persistent foreign-sourced malware. The judges commented on the significance and complexity of the initiative, also noting its national importance to both the public and private sector.

Best Security Awareness Campaign

ANZ, for its Cyber Ambassador Programme.

37 cyber-savvy staff were placed across ANZ sites to reinforce good cybersecurity behaviour. Refreshed awareness content was put together - promoted internally and with customers. The judges were impressed, commenting that ANZ has built on the success of previous campaigns and is committed to year-round security awareness.

In this category, a Judge’s Commendation was also given to healthAlliance for its Northern Region DHB Cyber Safety Campaign.

Best Security Company

Aura Information Security.

Back-to-back winner Aura stood out again for the breadth and depth of its cybersecurity consulting services; plus its dedicated research function, training (including tertiary support, internships and mentoring), and strong emphasis on community outreach and stakeholder engagement.

Best Start-up or New Business

Defend Ltd.

Launched in 2017, Auckland-based Defend offers a services model that protects people, processes & technology. Defend stood out for its holistic approach - helping make cybersecurity a natural part of their client’s thinking, considering cybersecurity from the executive’s perspective, and giving back to the industry.

Up-and-coming Cybersecurity Star

Daniel Underhay, of Aura Information Security.

Daniel has worked in the New Zealand security community for two and a half years. In that time, he has displayed technical leadership, excelled on a global stage and demonstrated exceptional innovation through Project Walrus – an Android app for contactless card cloning devices.

In this category, the judges also made special mention of Craig Scoon from Deloitte NZ and the exceptional talent presented in his nomination.

Hall of Fame Award

The New Zealand Internet Task Force (NZITF)

For 10 years, the New Zealand Internet Task Force has dedicated itself to improving the cyber security posture of New Zealand. The non-profit has made substantial contributions to cybersecurity training, outreach and information sharing - including consulting with Government on cyber security, running public response activities and developing coordinated disclosure guidelines that have now been adopted by many major enterprises and government agencies.

The 2018 iSANZ Awards are sponsored by Check Point, SailPoint, McAfee, Spark, Micro Focus, Liverton Security, Datacom, Symantec, Quantum Security, Aura Security Systems and Duo. Supporting organisations are ConnectSmart, WestconComstor, Duo, NZITF, PS Duo, SiteHost, 1st Tuesday and Arrow ECS.

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