ISOG Cybersecurity Excellence Awards: Initiative to shape a secured cyberspace

Cybersecurity inarguably presents a crucial framework to combat threats and risks of cyber attack as it propels a critical protective system to safer cyberspace–– shielding people and institutions in the online environment.

In the recently concluded first-ever cybersecurity excellence awards in the Philippines, launched by The Information Security Officers Group (ISOG), a total of 20 remarkable cyber leaders were honored for demonstrating stellar leadership practices and notable contributions to their respective roles in the digital space.

According to ISOG President and Land Bank Chief Information Technology Officer Archie Tolentino, the commencement of such excellence awards springs from the ISOG's aim to inspire a culture of excellence among cybersecurity professionals in the country.

Organized by XMS, ISOG I Am Secure Cybersecurity Excellence Awards honors the following:

Best Chief Information Security / Senior Head of Security of the Year:

• Jose Paolo "Joey" G. Rufo (Banking and Finance)

• Jan Martin F. Encina (Fintech)

• Ross Sherwin C. De Claro (Government & Public Section)

• Charmaine Rose A. Valmonte (Utilities)

• Mario B. Demarillas (Management & Services)

• Russell A. Hernandez (Insurance)

Best Chief Risk Officer / Risk Manager of the Year:

• Ana Marie R. Acuña (Banking and Finance)

• Bayan I. Magallon (Insurance)

• Kamille Ann R. Salva (Other Financial Institutions)

Best Chief Information Officer / Technology Officer / Technology Head of the Year

• Henry Rhoel R. Aguda (Commercial Banks)

• Alfred P. Punzalan (Other Local Banks)

• Lloyd A. Sioson (Other Financia; Institutions)

• Ken P. Sarmiento (Government and Public Sector)

• Reuben Thomas "Rookie" T. Nagtalon Jr. (Healthcare Hospitals & HMO)

• Ricson Singson Que (Academe)

Best Data Privacy Officer of the Year

• Jonathan John B. Paz (Banking and Finance)

• Jonathan C. Pineda (Government & Public Sector)

• Jan Edward Cruz (Management & Services)

• Michael Oliver C. Ignacio (BPO)

• Roselle S. Basa (Academe)

All nominees were screened by ISOG core, its alliance, and partner representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), ISACA Manila Chapter, IT Interaction Philippines (ITIP), and ROOTCON.

After the awarding, NEXTGEN team and CYFIRMA hosted the After Party where CISOs from various companies marked their presence at the Raging Bull.

ISOG carries a mission to strengthen information security in the country–– an organization that envisions a leading information security environment shaping the standard sustainable and safe InfoSec domain. The organization stands by its primary principles, such as presenting awareness and education on information security practices, inter-institutional incident response, and intel distribution on methods to counter cyber threats.

With such ideals and virtue, ISOG continues to execute practices that will shape secured cyberspace–– the first-ever cybersecurity excellence awards being their latest offering.