16.06.2026

Cyber OSPA Awards 2026

IAP Director General Alastair Revell Presents Award for Outstanding Cyber Security Training/Awareness Initiative

“As Director General of The Institution of Analysts and Programmers, I was delighted to present the 2026 Cyber OSPA for the Outstanding Cyber Security Training/Awareness Initiative to the Integrated Cyber Pathway Programme for Young People run by Yorkshire and Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit.

“This initiative has transformed youth cyber‑crime prevention through innovative, multi‑layered initiatives that build skills, resilience, and safer online behaviours.

“By making cybersecurity engaging and community‑led, it creates a sustainable talent pipeline. The judges praised its outstanding, gamified approach, clear behavioural impact, and scalable ecosystem – spanning ambassadors, the Cyber Blue Line vehicle, and the Cyber Switch Up competition.

“I have been involved in judging the Cyber Outstanding Security Performance (Cyber OSPAs) since their inception by Professor Martin Gill in 2021 of The Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs). The defining characteristics of these awards is their independence and ethical underpinning, which makes them highly credible.

“I was also very pleased to see the ubiquitous Martin Smith MBE FSyI awarded the Lifetime Achiever Award. He truly deserves it!

“It was a fantastic evening at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.”

Content taken from Alastair Revell’s Linkedin post (linkedin.com/in/alastairrevell)

About the OSPAs

The Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) celebrate excellence across the security sector by recognising the achievements of both organisations and individuals. Designed to be independent, credible, and inclusive, the awards provide a platform for outstanding performers – whether buyers, suppliers, or practitioners — to gain recognition and have their success celebrated.

The OSPAs are founded on rigorous research into the characteristics and drivers of exceptional performance within the security industry. The award categories and judging criteria are based on the findings of Aspiring to Excellence, a research initiative conducted by Perpetuity Research, ensuring that every award is evidence-based and focused on genuine achievement.

Developed in collaboration with security associations and industry groups around the world, the OSPAs continue to expand into new countries and regions each year. By standardising award categories and assessment criteria through independent research, the OSPAs enable participating countries to operate their own nationally relevant, evidence-based awards while maintaining a consistent framework for international recognition. This shared approach also supports participation in the future global programme, the World OSPAs.

To find out more about Alastair Revell (pictured: right), other judges and the judging process and about OSPA’s journey, core values and ethics visit www.thecyberospas.com.