Frank B. Rowlett Awards

In 1989, the National Security Agency (NSA) established the Information Systems Security National Awards to recognize outstanding Federal Government organizational and individual excellence in the field of information systems security. Today, these annual awards are named in honor of the cryptographic pioneer, Frank B. Rowlett.  The awards are given to recognize both organizational and individual contributions made to the cybersecurity discipline.

The Frank B. Rowlett Trophy for Organizational Achievement is awarded to the Federal Government organization that makes the most significant contributions to the improvement of national cybersecurity, operational cybersecurity readiness, or the defensive cybersecurity operations posture of the United States.

To ensure that all deserving individuals and organizations in the community have an opportunity to compete, NSA’s Director of Cybersecurity (CSD) urges you to nominate those whose accomplishments in cybersecurity most warrant recognition.

2019 Rowlett Award winners:
Individual: Joseph E. Werle, United States Transportation Command
Organizational: United States Transportation Command (Command, Control, Communications and Cyber Systems)

Nomination Instructions

1. Download the appropriate nomination form (these are fillable forms that require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view):
   • Individual Form 
   • Organizational Form 
2. Nomination forms should be scanned and emailed to Rowlett_Awards@NSA.gov.
3. Guidance for completing the forms.
   • • Click on the grey area to enter text into a field
     • Properly and completely portion-mark for classification (to include U and U//FOUO portion markings)
     • Enter the names and titles of all required endorsers in the appropriate fields on the signature page, prior to printing the form
     • In the header and footer, replace "CLASSIFICATION MUST BE UPDATED WHEN FORM IS COMPLETED" with the correct classification level for the document.  Classified materials must be transmitted over appropriately classified systems.

Please contact Rowlett_Awards@NSA.gov for questions or more information. Also, please provide an email alias for your government agency so we can contact your organization for the awards in coming years.

Individual Award Nomination Form 

The Frank B. Rowlett Awards Program presents a first place, non-monetary, Individual Achievement Awards in recognition of outstanding individual accomplishments during the award period.  Along with the winner, a runner up will also be recognized. The criteria considered include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Evidence of individual ability to identify and solve significant cybersecurity problems, threats, or vulnerabilities.
• Demonstration of outstanding leadership and knowledge in the application of Cybersecurity.
• Innovative and creative use of resources (personnel, fiscal, or facilities) to successfully accomplish cybersecurity related goals and missions.
• Significant contribution to the improvement of his/her element’s information systems security posture.

The nomination narrative should be no longer than two pages, single-spaced, and should describe the specific accomplishments of the nominee that occurred during the previous calendar year. [Individual Form] 

The signature page of the form:

     1) The important signatures are those of supervisors, Classification Reviewers, and Prepublication.

     2) If an agency or department has a designated NSA Representative, it is nice but not mandatory for that person to sign.

Please contact Rowlett_Awards@NSA.gov for questions or more information. Also, please provide an email alias for your government agency so we can contact your organization for the awards in coming years.

Organizational Award Nomination Form

The Frank B. Rowlett Awards Program presents a first place, non-monetary, Organizational Achievement Award in recognition of outstanding organizational accomplishments during the award period. Along with the winner, a runner up will also be recognized. The criteria considered include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Evidence of an organization’s ability to identify and solve significant cybersecurity problems, threats, or vulnerabilities.
• Mission accomplishments and successes at the organizational or national level resulting from the application of cybersecurity.
• Significant contribution to the elements or nation’s cybersecurity posture.

The nomination narrative should be no longer than two pages, single-spaced, and should describe the specific accomplishments of the nominated organization that occurred during the previous calendar year. [Organizational Form]

The signature page of the form:

     1) The important signatures are those of supervisors, Classification Reviewers, and Prepublication.

     2) If an agency or department has a designated NSA Representative, it is nice but not mandatory for that person to sign.

Please contact Rowlett_Awards@NSA.gov for questions or more information. Also, please provide an email alias for your government agency so we can contact your organization for the awards in coming years.