2026 Cybersecurity Awards: Community Choice Winners Declared

In Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 4th, 2026, the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards revealed the winners of this year’s Community Choice recognition. Garnering 79,455 votes, these awards highlight the community’s top picks during the season.

AI Security Leads the Pack

This year, AI security emerged as a leading category among voters. The announcement coincides with the Black Hat USA event, where AI-related risks are prominently discussed.

The Community Choice Award, unique for its reliance on public voting, offers an additional layer of recognition beyond the jury-selected accolades. This award celebrates the support nominees have garnered within the cybersecurity community.

Top Priorities in Cybersecurity

Holger Schulze, founder and CEO of Cybersecurity Insiders, expressed gratitude towards winners and participants. He noted that key areas such as security operations, exposure management, and AI security received significant voting attention.

In 2024, AI security was a single category, but by 2026, it expanded into ten, reflecting AI’s growing influence in areas like access, data protection, and threat response.

Insights from Industry Research

Research by Cybersecurity Insiders indicates that the most voted categories align with current industry priorities: enhancing the ability to detect and respond swiftly to threats, mitigating risks before exploitation, and managing AI’s expanding role in accessing enterprise resources.

Future research by Cybersecurity Insiders will delve into AI’s impact on security domains, identifying where defenses may be lacking and how organizations can close these security gaps.

A Decade of Recognizing Excellence

For over ten years, the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards have honored advancements in the field. By combining expert jury insights with community-driven choices, the program provides a comprehensive recognition platform.

Presented by Cybersecurity Insiders—a key research and media platform—the awards draw from a global network of more than 600,000 cybersecurity experts.

Through continuous research, analysis, and guidance, Cybersecurity Insiders equips security leaders with the insights needed to navigate emerging risks and evolving priorities.