This year’s ICMC saved its best for last – a jubilant, laughter-filled awards ceremony that celebrated the cryptographic community and left attendees buzzing long after the final applause faded.
The stars of the show were undeniably hosts Alicia Squires and Graham Costa, who delivered performances that frankly deserved their own Oscar category. Their comic timing was impeccable, their energy infectious, and their obvious delight in celebrating the community made the whole room come alive. If cryptography ever needs a late-night talk show, we know who to call.
The CMUF Awards
The Cryptographic Module User Forum (CMUF) handed out honors across six categories. The awards were presented by the CMUF Steering Committee (SC) – a collective effort that highlights a united and functioning CMUF SC:
- FIPS Rising Star
Recognizing someone who has joined the CMUF family within the last eight years and hit the ground running – diving into Working Groups, lighting up online discussions, and making their presence felt across the community. This award is proof that fresh energy and new voices are the lifeblood of CMUF’s future.
Winner: Joachim Vandersmissen - Working Group Warrior
For the individual who has made a significant impact on the CMUF community since the last ICMC.
Winner: Dr. Joshua Hill - Multi-Company Maestro
Celebrating someone who has brought their expertise to multiple CMUF-related organizations.
Winner: Ryan Thomas - Crypto Comeback Tour
Affectionately awarded to the retiree most likely to return for an encore.
Winner: Dr. Allen Roginsky - Pinnacle of Innovation
For the greatest impact on the cryptographic community. This award recognizes the rare individual or team that didn’t just meet the bar – they redefined it. It honors the work that will quietly underpin systems most people will never see – but everyone will depend on.
Winner: Chris Celi - Person of the Year
The community’s highest honor for overall impact.
Winner: Dr. Yi Mao
Awards from the CMVP
NIST CMVP Program Manager David Hawes presented awards with a mix of gravitas and dry humor, reinforcing the importance of the collaborative effort:
- Working Group Lead – For the hardest-working contributor across CMUF working groups. The award went to none other than Trish Wolff. In a delightful twist, Trish was simultaneously providing technical support for the very show in which she was honored – multitasking her way to victory.
- Most CAVP Certs in a FIPS certificate – A nod to serious technical dedication. Awarded to Keypair for the OpenSSL library.
- The Hot Potato Award – Humorously given to whoever makes the CMVP team most eager to forward their emails elsewhere. This year, thankfully, no one earned it, so the trophy now resides permanently at the CMVP office.
A Lifetime of Achievement: Honoring Dr. Lily Chen
The afternoon’s most touching moment came at the very end – the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in a heartfelt ceremony to NIST Fellow Dr. Lily Chen.
Lily’s contributions to cryptographic standards span decades and define an era. Her work at NIST has been nothing short of extraordinary, most recently culminating in the landmark post-quantum cryptography standards: FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and FIPS 205 – the foundation on which the cryptographic community will build its quantum-resistant future.
As her colleagues, peers, and friends gathered to celebrate her, it was clear: this was more than an award. It was a moment of collective gratitude from a community that knows its history – and exactly who helped shape it.
A Dream Come True – and What Comes Next
When atsec helped found the CMUF and launched the ICMC back in 2013, the vision was to build a community where the people behind cryptographic validation could come together, celebrate each other, and move the field forward. Watching Alicia and Graham light up that stage, seeing Trish Wolff and Chris Celi honored among many others, and witnessing Dr. Lily Chen receive a lifetime’s worth of gratitude – it’s a dream come true.
And we’re not done dreaming. ICMC 2028 marks the 15th anniversary of the conference. We believe Austin – home of atsec and the birthplace of ICMC – is the perfect place to celebrate it.
Let’s make it happen. See you in 2028!
