26% of Cyber Awards Finalists are IT Masters Short Course Students!

6 IT Masters students or alumni were nominees, being nominated in a total of 12 categories! (There are another 3 who might have been students but we can’t be certain).

Out of the overall list 40 nominations were for people who had enrolled in one or more short courses with IT Masters – that’s 26% of the overall 153 nominations in individual categories (including 8 of the 18 category winners – 44%).

We could think of no better award than to know that our teaching and courses are so widely spread across leaders in cyber security. It’s a testament to the ITM team – every person contributes significantly to this sort of success – it’s not a one off and it’s not overnight – it’s the product of sustained teamwork through many enrolments, short courses, teaching sessions and graduations.

Our post graduate students and alumni nominated in 2026 are:

Craig Ford, Cyber Unicorns
CISO of the Year
Cyber Professional of the Year – Professional Services
Cyber Professional of the Year – Technology, Media, and Telecommunications

Peter Stewart, Siege Cyber
Cyber Consultant of the Year – SME

Nicole Neil, Fresh Clinics
Cyber Professional of the Year – Healthcare

Joseph Ninio, Comunet
Cyber Professional of the Year – Healthcare
Cyber Professional of the Year – Defence
Cyber Professional of the Year – Government

Madhuri Nandi, Nuvei
Cyber Professional of the Year – Financial Services
Female Cyber Leader of the Year – End User

Chris McDonald, Stealth Cyber
Cyber Professional of the Year – Professional Services
Cyber Thought Leader of the Year

We offer our congratulations to every nominee—we loved seeing your names called and your achievements celebrated. For our team, this night was about more than awards. It was about witnessing the incredible impact our community is making across government, defence, enterprise, and beyond. 

Why Recognition Like This Matters

When it comes to cyber security training in Australia, real-world outcomes matter. These nominations highlight the value of combining industry-led education with practical experience—something we strive to deliver in all our online postgraduate courses and short courses.

It’s not just about learning—it’s about being prepared to lead, consult, innovate, and defend in a rapidly evolving cyber landscape.

Kickstart Your Cyber Security Journey in 2026

Do you see yourself at the Australian Cyber Awards one day? Australia’s digital future needs defenders—and skilled cyber security professionals are in demand like never before. If you’re ready to build a secure, high-impact career, now’s the perfect time to get started.

At IT Masters, we partner with Charles Sturt University to deliver purpose-built online postgraduate courses in cyber security. These aren’t in-person programs simply adapted for the web—they’re designed from the ground up for online learners, offering streamlined content, rapid feedback, and access to seasoned experts.

🗓️ Next intakes: Term 2 starts May 25 and Session 2 begins 13 July

🎓 100% online, flexible study with Charles Sturt University & IT Masters

👨‍🏫 Learn from cyber industry leaders with hands-on experience

🔎 Get recognised industry credits for short courses and industry certifications

 Build your credentials and protect the digital world—your future starts now.

👉 Enrol now and secure your spot