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Proofpoint Innovation Awards 2026, EMEA
Celebrating the people and teams driving cybersecurity excellence across EMEA
About the Awards
The Proofpoint Innovation Awards 2026, EMEA recognise the security leaders, teams, and organisations making a real difference. Whether you have transformed your organisation's security posture, built a culture of cyber resilience, or pioneered new approaches to protecting your people, we want to hear your story.
Every valid nominee is featured in the Proofpoint Innovation Gallery, an online showcase of cybersecurity excellence. Outstanding nominees are selected as award winners and recognised on stage at Proofpoint Protect events across EMEA.
Six categories. One goal: recognising you.
Cyber Visionary of the Year
For the security leader shaping the strategic direction of their organisation and driving measurable impact.
Cyber Defender of the Year
For the cybersecurity professional with hands-on platform expertise who has delivered measurable outcomes and managed real operational complexity.
Security Culture Champion
For the individual driving meaningful behaviour change and building a security-first culture.
Security Transformation of the Year
For the team that drove the most impressive security change programme.
Platform Excellence Award
For the organisation achieving exceptional depth and breadth in their Proofpoint platform deployment, with measurable security outcomes and innovative platform operationalisation.
AI Innovation Award
For those using AI or automation in bold, measurable ways that have genuinely moved the dial on security outcomes.
Three steps. That's it.
Pick the award that best fits the achievement. Not sure? Select "Not sure" and we will help match you.
Complete the nomination form. It takes about 10 minutes. The stronger the detail, the stronger the nomination.
You will receive a confirmation email. All valid nominations are reviewed for the Innovation Gallery. Award winners are selected by our judging panel and announced at Proofpoint Protect.
Who can nominate? You can nominate yourself, your team, or your organisation. Proofpoint account teams and channel partners can also nominate customers. Anyone can put a name forward.
Programme timeline
June 2026: Nominations open
August 2026: Nominations close
September 2026: Innovation Gallery live
H2 2026: Awards at Protect
Proofpoint judging panel
Ryan Kalember
Chief Strategy Officer, Proofpoint
Rohit Dixit
Chief Customer Officer, Proofpoint
Jon Parkes
VP, Sales Engineering, EMEA, Proofpoint
Vincent Merlin
SVP, Global Marketing, Proofpoint
Erin Leonard
Sr. Director, Technical Sales, Proofpoint
Molly McLain Sterling
Sr. Director, Cybersecurity Strategy, Proofpoint
FAQ
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Proofpoint Innovation Awards 2026, EMEA
A recognition programme celebrating customers across EMEA who demonstrate excellence in cybersecurity. We recognise both individual...A recognition programme celebrating customers across EMEA who demonstrate excellence in cybersecurity. We recognise both individuals and organisations driving innovation in security.
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Who is eligible?
Any current Proofpoint customer in the EMEA region with an active agreement. Open to enterprise and commercial customers. Both organisations...Any current Proofpoint customer in the EMEA region with an active agreement. Open to enterprise and commercial customers. Both organisations and individual security professionals can be nominated.
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How do I nominate?
Complete the nomination form on this page. You can nominate yourself, a colleague, or your organisation. Proofpoint account teams and channe...Complete the nomination form on this page. You can nominate yourself, a colleague, or your organisation. Proofpoint account teams and channel partners can also submit nominations.
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What happens after I submit?
You receive a confirmation email. Your nomination is reviewed by our programme team. All valid nominations are included in the Proofpoint...You receive a confirmation email. Your nomination is reviewed by our programme team. All valid nominations are included in the Proofpoint Innovation Gallery launching September 2026. Award winners are announced at Proofpoint Protect events.
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What is the Innovation Gallery?
An online showcase on proofpoint.com featuring all recognised nominees. Every nominee receives a digital Innovation Badge and a...An online showcase on proofpoint.com featuring all recognised nominees. Every nominee receives a digital Innovation Badge and a social media spotlight.
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How are winners selected?
An internal Proofpoint judging panel reviews all nominations against published criteria including business impact, innovation, deployment...An internal Proofpoint judging panel reviews all nominations against published criteria including business impact, innovation, deployment excellence, and scope. 7-8 winners per region are selected.
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Where are the awards presented?
Winners receive a physical award at a 45-minute ceremony during Proofpoint Protect events in H2 2026. Each region has its own awards...Winners receive a physical award at a 45-minute ceremony during Proofpoint Protect events in H2 2026. Each region has its own awards segment.
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Will my company name be made public?
Yes. By submitting a nomination, you consent to your organisation name and nominee name being displayed in the Innovation Gallery and...Yes. By submitting a nomination, you consent to your organisation name and nominee name being displayed in the Innovation Gallery and referenced in Proofpoint social media. No deployment details, product configurations, or security-sensitive information will ever be shared.
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What if I don't win?
Every valid nominee is recognised in the Innovation Gallery with a badge and social spotlight. There are no losers. The physical award is additional...Every valid nominee is recognised in the Innovation Gallery with a badge and social spotlight. There are no losers. The physical award is additional recognition for a select group.
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Can I withdraw?
Yes, at any time. Contact your Proofpoint account team or reply to any programme email. Your information will be removed within 10 business...Yes, at any time. Contact your Proofpoint account team or reply to any programme email. Your information will be removed within 10 business days.
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Is there a cost?
No. The programme is entirely free. No fees, no obligations, no commercial requirements.No. The programme is entirely free. No fees, no obligations, no commercial requirements.
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When do nominations close?
Mid-August 2026. We encourage early submission to allow time for review.Mid-August 2026. We encourage early submission to allow time for review.
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Can partners nominate customers?
Yes. Channel partners can nominate their Proofpoint customers. The partner provides their details alongside the customer's name and contact...Yes. Channel partners can nominate their Proofpoint customers. The partner provides their details alongside the customer's name and contact. The customer receives a notification email.
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What information do I need?
Your name and contact details, the organisation name, award category, and a brief description of the achievement (500 words max). Quantifiable...Your name and contact details, the organisation name, award category, and a brief description of the achievement (500 words max). Quantifiable results strengthen nominations.
The work you do matters
The Proofpoint Innovation Awards recognise the organisations and practitioners redefining what modern security leadership looks like across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Join a community of innovators whose stories are shaping the future of cybersecurity.
Thank you for your submission.