Verkada Opens Nominations for 2026 Safety Champion Awards
The third annual program recognizes security leaders and educational institutions for innovation in community protection and emergency preparedness.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- May 05, 2026
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Safety Champion Awards, a program that recognizes individuals and organizations for work in physical security and operational efficiency.
The program includes three categories. First, the Impact Award recognizes individuals who have made measurable improvements in safety within their organizations. Public-sector winners in that category receive a donation to a charity of their choice, while private-sector winners receive a monetary prize.
Next, the AI Transformation Award recognizes the use of artificial intelligence in security or operational workflows. Nominees must show that AI-powered technology has reduced risk or improved incident response over the past year.
Third, the School Safety Excellence Award is open to accredited K-12 schools and universities with more than 500 students. The category evaluates institutions on safety practices, including student well-being and crisis management. The winning institution receives security products and software licenses.
Last year’s program recognized leaders from the YMCA of Austin, United Cerebral Palsy of the North Bay and Triad Math and Science Academy.
Nominations will be accepted through June 30. Eligible nominees must be U.S. legal residents with experience in safety-related roles. Submissions will be evaluated based on innovation, advocacy and community involvement.