Recognizing the leaders shaping Romania’s digital future
CIO Council Awards 2026 celebrates excellence in IT leadership, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. The awards are dedicated to the professionals whose vision, courage, and measurable impact contribute to the growth of their organizations and to the continued maturity of Romania’s digital ecosystem.
Each year, CIO Council brings forward CIOs, CISOs, and technology leaders who have demonstrated the ability to turn ideas into results, build high-performing teams, drive innovation, and create meaningful business impact through technology.
CIO Council Awards 2026 Categories
The 2026 edition will recognize outstanding achievements across five award categories, reflecting the essential role of technology leadership in modern organizations.
| Category | Description |
| Chief Information Officer of the Year | Recognizing IT leaders with significant strategic impact within their organizations and the broader business ecosystem. |
| Chief Information Security Officer of the Year | Honoring cybersecurity leaders who have made a meaningful contribution to strengthening digital resilience and organizational security. |
| Aspiring CIO / Rising Star | Dedicated to emerging professionals who demonstrate strong potential for future CIO leadership roles. |
| CIO Impact Award – Artificial Intelligence | Recognizing leaders who have implemented AI solutions with measurable outcomes and real business impact. |
| Special Jury Award / Special Recognition | A special distinction granted by the jury for outstanding contributions to the community, the industry, or Romania’s digital transformation. |
How candidates enter the awards process
For the 2026 edition, candidates may enter the awards process through three nomination channels:
- Community nomination – members of the CIO Council community may nominate leaders they know and respect through shared projects, professional collaborations, conferences, or industry engagement.
- Corporate nomination – companies may nominate their own IT and cybersecurity leaders through HR departments or corporate leadership teams, recognizing their contribution and organizational impact.
- Direct application – professionals who wish to present their own achievements may apply directly by completing the form available on the website.
All three nomination channels use the same application form and are assessed according to the same evaluation criteria. Registration is free of charge.
Evaluation process
After a nomination or application is submitted, the candidate will be contacted by the CIO Council team and invited to provide additional information relevant to the evaluation process. Applications will be reviewed by an independent jury composed of senior industry leaders, innovation experts, representatives of academia, and members of civil society.
Candidates will be evaluated based on clear criteria, including professional impact, strategic vision, collaboration, reputation within the ecosystem, and their contribution to advancing digital maturity in Romania.
Awards ceremony
The winners of the CIO Council Awards 2026 will be announced during the CIO Council National Conference 2026, an event that brings together technology leaders, business decision-makers, and key representatives of Romania’s digital community.
The Regulation is available here: CIO Council Awards 2026. Official Regulation
Nominations and applications are open until October 31, 2026.
Submit a nomination or apply directly before October 31 → Entry form.