Eligibility
To be eligible for an WOI Award, nominees must have:
- A positive influence on the professional community
- The application of creativity or innovation in solving problems or overcoming challenges
- A demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards
- History of designing and implementing effective solutions
- Sustained record of accomplishments and contributions to the field
- Service as a mentor or trusted advisor to colleagues, students, and others
Nominate a Peer, or Yourself!
Do you know a leader who deserves to be acknowledged for their contributions and accomplishments in the fields of information security, risk management, privacy, and related industries? Do YOU deserve to be recognized for your achievements?
Nominate
A panel of judges selects the 3 finalists from the nominations, per WOI award category. The recipients will be presented with the awards at an in-person ceremony during the EWF Annual Conference. It is complimentary for finalists to attend the WOI luncheon ceremony. If finalists would like to attend the entire 3 days of conference, they will be given a code for a discounted price (Rate of $1995). Travel and hotel accommodations are the responsibility of the finalists. If a finalist cannot attend in person, she will be given an option to record an acceptance.
Nominations are closed for the 2025 Annual Conference. Check back next year for the 2026 nomination process!
Explore the Women of
Influence Award Categories
Private Solutions Provider
Nominations in this category focus primarily on external security, IT risk, and privacy professionals who come from vendor and consulting companies. Their focus is on providing world-class products and services to customers external to their company. They include roles such as managing director, practice manager, and the usual c-suite roles such as CISO, CPO, and CRO.
Corporate Practitioner
Nominations in this category focus primarily on internal security, IT risk, and privacy practitioners – they do not consult externally for their company (private solutions provider). Corporate practitioners practice their craft within their own company’s networks, systems, and assets. They include roles such as the CISO, CPO, and CRO but are not limited to just the C-suite.
Nonprofit/Public Sector/Academia
Nominations in this category should include women who work in the nonprofit sector, academia, or government, both in the U.S. and internationally. This includes leaders and key contributors at nonprofit organizations, foundations, and advocacy groups dedicated to making a social impact. Academia encompasses leaders and contributors at institutions of higher learning, as well as thought leaders at universities, private or public research institutions, and think tanks. Government professionals, including agency leaders and elected officials at any level, are also eligible.
Ones to Watch
(Less than 10 years industry experience)
Nominations in this category can come from any industry and any role (public sector, academia, private solutions provider, corporate practitioner). What’s important is that this nominee has less than 10 years of experience in cybersecurity, IT risk management or privacy. Please note the nominee in this category may have had experience in other unrelated areas before coming to cybersecurity, IT risk or privacy, but still qualifies because the experience is less than 10 years in our industry.
Executive of the Year
Nominations in this category are for women who have made substantial contributions to cybersecurity, IT risk management, or privacy. A minimum of 20 years of experience is required, along with demonstrated accomplishments and influence industry-wide. A woman nominated in this category should be an influencer who has helped shape and challenge us.