Spirits soared at the Microsoft Security Excellence Awards on June 5, 2022. And is it any wonder? The celebration marked the first time that Microsoft executives and Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) members had gathered in person in more than two years so it was a special night for many reasons!
Formerly known as the Microsoft Security 20/20 Awards, the Microsoft Security Excellence Awards recognizes MISA member success across security during the past 12 months. MISA is a coalition of Microsoft leaders and subject matter experts, independent software vendors (ISVs), and managed security service providers (MSSPs) working together to defend against increasing security threats.
Attendees donned their fashionably festive best and gathered at the brightly lit San Francisco Design Center for cocktails, dinner, networking, and awards recognition. They smiled as they caught up with folks they may not have seen in years—and some even made new connections.
The stars of the evening were all the MISA members that work tirelessly to ensure the security of our shared customers. Congratulations to all our award finalists and winners! After cocktails, conversation, and dinner, Microsoft executives Vasu Jakkal, Phil Montgomery, Andrew Conway, Alym Rayani, Irina Nechaeva, Desmond Forbes, Sue Bohn, Mandana Javaheri, Madhu Prasha, and Scott Woodgate handed out the awards. Vasu Jakkal, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Security, praised the recipients for their achievements.
“I’m so honored to recognize this year’s award winners. MISA members regularly impress us with their shared vision of helping create a more secure world,” Vasu said. “They support this mission through their solutions and services, their dedication to innovation, and their dedication to customers. Security is a team sport, and we are so proud to defend together with our MISA community. Heartiest congratulations to all of this year’s winners.”
Be fearless with comprehensive security
Microsoft and MISA members share a commitment to supporting customers in their efforts to be fearless. That means ensuring that they have the comprehensive security necessary to help them grow their enterprise securely to match their vision. When we talk about comprehensive security, we’re not referring merely to security coverage, though that’s important. We’re also talking about best-in-breed protection, built-in intelligence, and simplified management.
Being fearless when it comes to cybersecurity comes when companies:
- Gain confidence that their data and people are more protected—so they can limit nothing.
- Natively integrate individual layers of protection across clouds, platforms, endpoints, and devices.
- Get alerts from 24 trillion security signals analyzed every 24 hours.
- Reduce the risk of data breaches and compliance violations.
Of course, partners are key to giving customers the results that ease their security worries.
Our 2022 Microsoft Security Excellence Awards finalists
A Microsoft cross-functional group decided on this year’s 10 award categories, including 4 categories where MISA members could nominate themselves. We carefully selected these categories to celebrate all the unique ways that MISA members support customers and Microsoft security products. We received hundreds of award nominations and the same panel carefully read each and narrowed the award nominees to three for each category. Microsoft and MISA members then voted on our winners.
Security ISV of the Year
ISVs that are all-around powerhouses, show growth potential and have innovative security solutions that integrate with a MISA-qualifying security product.
Security MSSP of the Year
MSSPs that are all-around powerhouses with strong integration between Microsoft products and ongoing managed security services that drive the end-to-end Microsoft Security stack to our mutual customers.
Security Trailblazer
Partners that are outstanding leaders in accelerating customers’ efforts to mitigate cybersecurity threats and that have developed innovative solutions or services that leverage Microsoft Security products.
Compliance and Privacy Trailblazer
Partners that deliver innovative solutions or services and are distinguished leaders in driving holistic or end-to-end Microsoft compliance or privacy strategy with customers.
Identity Trailblazer
Partners that are leaders in the identity space and have driven identity-related initiatives and delivered innovative solutions or services with Microsoft Azure Active Directory.
Zero Trust Champion
Partners that are dedicated to supporting customers in their Zero Trust journey and that have demonstrated vital integrations with the Microsoft Zero Trust platform.
Security Software Innovator
ISVs that have developed innovative solutions with disruptive and transformative technology in collaboration with Microsoft that makes work easier for our mutual customers.
Security Services Innovator
MSSPs that are exceptional at educating the market on Internet of Things (IoT) and Operational Technology (OT) security-related initiatives and that deliver innovative and transformative security services to customers.
Security Customer Champion
Partners that go above and beyond to drive customer impact and that have a proven track record of customer obsession and success.
Security Changemaker
Individuals within partner organizations who have made a remarkable security contribution to the company or to the larger security community.
Excited for another year of MISA success
Congratulations again to all our finalists and winners! Your innovation and your commitment to helping customers be fearless impresses us every day. We can’t wait to see what exciting accomplishments our partners achieve over the next 12 months and hope to see you at next year’s Microsoft Security Excellence Awards!
To learn more about Microsoft Security solutions, visit our website. Bookmark the Security blog to keep up with our expert coverage on security matters. Also, follow us at @MSFTSecurity for the latest news and updates on cybersecurity.
