In search of cyber pros (and other IT rock stars)

As National Cybersecurity Awareness Month draws to a close, it's worth remembering that, for every federal data breach that's reported, there are thousands of attempts that are prevented by the exceptional work of agency specialists and the contractors who support them.

And so, as the nomination period for the 2015 Federal 100 awards opens, you should make sure that those women and men get the recognition they deserve -- along with their colleagues working on the many other hotspots of federal IT. It is time to visit FCW.com/2015fed100 and get moving on their nominations!

For 25 years, FCW's Federal 100 awards have honored individuals in the federal IT community who go far beyond their assigned duties to make government work better. So if you know individuals who you believe should be among the 2015 Federal 100, please make sure the rest of our community knows about them, too.

Not certain what it takes to make the Federal 100? Here are five points to remember:

1. Anyone in the federal IT community is eligible: career agency employees, political appointees, contractors, academics, association experts -- even members of Congress.
2. The award is for individual accomplishments in 2014.
3. Federal 100 winners go above and beyond -- whatever their level or rank. A fancy job title is not required, and just doing one's job well is not enough.
4. You are allowed to make multiple nominations. Do so early and often.
5. Impact matters. The judges need to know not only what a nominee did but what all that work accomplished.

The deadline for this year's submissions is Dec. 23. Please go to FCW.com/2015fed100 for more information, and get started on your nominations today.