Bethesda, MD – Oct 12, 2022 – SANS Institute, the global leader in cybersecurity training and certifications, today announced that the call for nominations for the SANS 2022 Difference Makers Awards is open. SANS is accepting nominations for individuals, teams, and groups from within the SANS community who have implemented security processes or technology in 2022 that resulted in meaningful and measurable advances in security.

Nominations are open through October 24, 2022.

This year, SANS has expanded the Difference Maker Awards to include new categories and celebrate the most influential champions, focused on building the next generation.  A “people’s choice” popular vote will also be featured this year. Nominations are open now, and the awards ceremony will take place in December.

Awards categories include:

• Innovator of the Year
• Mentor of the Year
• Rising Star of the Year
• Article or Book of the Year
• Podcast or Livestream of the Year
• Diversity Champion
• Influencer of the Year
• Open Source Tool Creator of the Year
• Team or Practitioner of the Year
• Researcher of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

“Over the past ten years, we’ve had a very diverse and global group of people celebrated as Difference Makers,” said SANS Director of Emerging Security Trends John Pescatore. “SANS Difference Makers have gone on to both raise the bar on cybersecurity and inspire others to do so as well.”

The common denominator in each nominee is their willingness and ability to do what SANS calls “Fight the Good Fight” in advancing the state of practice in cybersecurity.

Nominations will be evaluated by a team from SANS, security industry analysts, and thought leaders. Winners will be announced and celebrated in December in-person at the SANS Cyber Defense Initiative® 2022 training event. To learn more about the SANS Difference Makers Awards, visit: https://www.sans.org/about/awards/difference-makers/