Legend Award by Global CIO Forum
What a honor , second time in a row I am awarded as Legend by Global CIO Forum and GEC Media for my contributions to the community.
I am THANKFULL for all the support.
we are better together.
Erdal
Awarded as the Legend by Global CIO Summit
https://www.erdalozkaya.com/awarded-as-the-legend-by-global-cio-summit/
Global Advisory Board
- Provide support and advice to program(s), assist in the development of new programs, and identify best practice standards.
- Serve as an ambassador and advocate to the program(s) providing a connection to and ongoing exchange of information and ideas with practitioners in the field and other external contacts.
- Ensure that the Forum is delivering assets and knowledge that is current, up to date, and relevant to current business, industry, technology, and professional employment practices
- Make recommendations to help assure that the Forum addresses career and vocational needs of members
- Serve as an advocate of the Forum and a communication link between the host institutions and the community
CISO Insight
Awards are meaningful when they reflect a body of work that genuinely moved the needle. The Legend Award from the Global CIO Forum was particularly significant to me because it came from a community of peers — CIOs and technology leaders who understand the realities of building security programmes in complex, multinational environments. Peer recognition carries weight that no vendor-sponsored award can match.
The Role of Industry Recognition in Cybersecurity Leadership
The cybersecurity industry has a complicated relationship with awards and recognition. Some are genuinely meaningful, reflecting sustained contributions that peers and the broader community acknowledge. Others are pay-to-play marketing exercises with little substance. The difference matters, and CISOs should be thoughtful about which recognitions they pursue and how they present them.
The Global CIO Forum represents a community of technology executives who face the same challenges every day — balancing innovation with risk, managing vendor relationships, communicating technical realities to business stakeholders, and navigating the talent shortage. Recognition from this community carries weight because these are the people who understand what the work actually involves. They know the difference between a CISO who builds genuine capability and one who collects certifications and conference badges.
Building a Reputation in Cybersecurity
For security professionals looking to build their reputation and career trajectory, the most effective approach is consistent contribution over time. This means sharing knowledge through writing, speaking, and mentoring without expectation of immediate return. It means being honest about failures as well as successes — the cybersecurity community respects practitioners who acknowledge what did not work and what they learned from it. And it means building genuine relationships with peers, not just collecting LinkedIn connections.
The most respected CISOs I know share several characteristics. They are generous with their time and knowledge. They maintain intellectual honesty, even when it means disagreeing with popular narratives or vendor claims. They invest in developing their teams and helping others advance in their careers. And they stay technically curious, continuously learning about new threats, technologies, and approaches even as their roles become increasingly strategic and business-focused.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global CIO Forum?
The Global CIO Forum is an international community of technology executives — CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and CDOs — that promotes knowledge sharing, networking, and recognition of excellence in technology leadership. It operates across multiple countries with a particularly strong presence in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, and hosts events including the World CIO 200 Summit and various regional forums.
How should CISOs approach industry awards?
Pursue recognition from peer communities and organisations whose evaluation criteria are transparent and meaningful. Avoid pay-to-play awards that exist primarily as marketing vehicles. Focus on building a body of work — publications, speaking engagements, open-source contributions, and mentorship — that speaks for itself. The best recognition is unsolicited and comes from people who know your work firsthand.
Related reading: For career development guidance, visit our CISO Career Hub or explore the Become a CISO career roadmap for practical advice on building a cybersecurity leadership career.