1. Definition. The term “cyber policy” shall be broadly defined as: “Governance efforts to advance for the common good any aspect of the global digital ecosystem, including but not limited to interoperability, access, trust, privacy, safety, security, stability, human rights, workforce, and the rule of law.” This may include thought leadership and action from individuals, academia, non-governmental organizations, technical standards bodies, industry specific fora, state or national governments, and formal or ad hoc international bodies.

2. Time period. Except as otherwise set forth in the special criteria of a particular award category, the contributions and accomplishments specified in a nomination must have taken place, or have come to fruition, during the calendar year (CY) in question. For the inaugural event, the performance period is CY 2023.

3. Eligible recipients. The description and criteria for each award category may specify an award as being intended for an individual recipient, a small group (defined herein as consisting of five or fewer named individuals), or an organization (which may involve a named subdivision of an organization). Where no such criterion is specified, nominations may involve any of the three recipient types. In all cases, submitters are encouraged to narrow a nomination to the key person, or people, who championed the celebrated achievement; judges may consider tailored nominations as particularly compelling.

4. Repeat nominations. Except as otherwise set forth in the special criteria of a particular award category, each nomination may be made only once, and not re-submitted in a subsequent year.

5. Exclusions. Nominations involving persons or activities regulated under the United States Code that seek to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying), including equivalent state statutes and regulations, shall not be considered.

Cyber Policy Awards judges will conduct themselves according to the highest standards in carrying out a fair and credible selection process to ensure the awards hold meaning over time. Specific rules of behavior are as follows:

1. CONFIDENTIALITY. Judges will carry out their deliberations in secret, sharing the results only with members of the organizing committee who have a “need to know” in order to facilitate the nomination process and the awards ceremony.
2. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. Judges will proactively disclose to the Chair of the organizing committee any potential actual or perceived conflict of interest in a selection. The organizing committee, or a sub-committee thereof, will be responsible for addressing conflicts of interest. For this purpose, potential conflicts might include, but are not limited to, the following situations:
   1. Being nominated for an award;
   2. Being, or having been, closely affiliated with a nominee (e.g., familial relationship, personal connection to the work being celebrated, etc.);
   3. Having a personal financial interest in a nominee (e.g., equity interest in a nominated organization); and
   4. Any other situation, such as involvement in a related investigation, litigation, enforcement action, or investigative press reporting.