2020 MD Cybersecurity Awards Finalists

August 27, 2020

​The Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc. and presenting sponsors Sontiq, Point3 Security and the Maryland Department of Commerce are proud to announce the finalists for the fourth annual Awards Celebration which will highlight the best and brightest of Maryland’s cybersecurity industry. Finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges represented by leaders in a variety of fields. One winner from each category will be announced at the virtual Maryland Cybersecurity Awards Celebration on September 16, 2020 at 4pm Eastern.

All finalists are automatically entered into the People’s Choice Award category, the public is invited to vote online to determine who will receive the coveted Cybersecurity People’s Choice Award. The winner will be announced by category sponsor Truist during the virtual Awards Celebration on September 16, 2020. Vote for your choice here.

Below are the top three finalists across each of the seven Signature Award categories:

Cybersecurity Innovator of the Year Award – Presented by COPT
This award is presented to a Maryland company that has demonstrated exceptional innovation in the cybersecurity field with a technology designed to protect businesses and/or government entities from cyber threats, attack and/or damages. Our Cybersecurity Innovators are the champions of the cyber world and represent the crème de la crème of Maryland cybersecurity technology providers.

Cybersecurity Defender of the Year Award – Presented by PNC Bank
This award is given to an exceptional Maryland cybersecurity services company that has succeeded in protecting businesses or government entities from cyber threats, attack and/or damages. Our Cybersecurity Defenders are the protectors of the digital realm and represent the gold standard of Maryland cybersecurity service providers.

Cybersecurity Company to Watch Award – Presented by Edwards Performance Solutions
This award spotlights an emerging Maryland company that provides a cybersecurity product or service, has displayed exceptional vision and demonstrated plans for exponential future growth. We anticipate great things from our Company to Watch in the future.

Cybersecurity Champion of the Year Award – Presented by University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business
This award honors an individual that has had a profoundly positive impact on Maryland’s cybersecurity community and gone above and beyond to support it. Winners of this award could be individuals who have: donated significant resources (time, expertise, technology and/ or funds) to support Maryland’s cybersecurity industry; been staunch advocates for the Maryland cybersecurity community; or created exceptional educational or internship programs to support cybersecurity career development. Our Cybersecurity Community Champions are the unsung heroes of Maryland’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

Cybersecurity Diversity Award – Presented by Exelon
This award recognizes a company or organization that has worked to make careers in the Maryland cybersecurity industry more accessible to underrepresented groups or underserved markets. This award could honor a trailblazing minority or woman-owned cybersecurity company in Maryland; an organization that supports underrepresented groups working to gain employment in the state’s cybersecurity industry; an academic institution that provides cybersecurity-related training or internships targeting underserved populations; a business that has demonstrated a commitment to a diverse workforce; or others.

Cyber Warrior Woman Award – Presented by Howard Hughes
This award honors a woman doing extraordinary or exemplary work in Maryland’s cybersecurity industry. Winners of this award could be individuals who have: mentored and inspired women in the cybersecurity industry or young women considering careers in the industry, donated significant resources (time, expertise, technology and/ or funds) to support Maryland’s cybersecurity industry; been staunch advocates for the Maryland cybersecurity community; or created exceptional educational or internship programs to support cybersecurity career development.

Cybersecurity Industry Resource Award – Presented by Winquest Engineering
This award celebrates a non-cybersecurity business, organization, academic institution or government agency that has significantly contributed to Maryland’s cybersecurity industry through its products, services or mission. This award is ideal for: organizations that provide access to funding for Maryland cybersecurity companies; government agencies that support the cybersecurity industry; legal firms with a cybersecurity practice; insurance companies offering cyber insurance; media entities that tell the stories of Maryland’s cybersecurity community or serve as a resource for businesses to understand how to be cyber secure; academic institutions with unique and/or state-of-the-art cybersecurity programs; non-profit organizations that support youth engagement in the cyber industry; and others.