Exactly a year after my first BSides event, I returned to Cape Town on the 5th of December 2024 for another invigorating experience. This time, I was not only a volunteer but also a speaker—a milestone that added a new dimension to my journey in the cybersecurity community.
Pre-Event (Friday, 6th December)
The day before the conference was rainy, but I managed to get to the venue by 10:00 AM. Volunteering at BSides is straightforward: show up and lend a hand. I spent the day reconnecting with the organizers and catching up with other volunteers (fondly called "volts"). The pre-event atmosphere was relatively relaxed, with fewer attendees due to workshops being conducted. However, I still helped with registration and, toward the end of the day, joined the team in packing swag bags and pairing badges with lanyards to prepare for the main event.
The Event (Saturday, 7th December)
I arrived at the venue bright and early at 7:00 AM to help with setup, eagerly anticipating the arrival of attendees. The energy on the event day was palpable, with sponsor booths being arranged, talk rooms prepped, and registration areas bustling. My initial role was distributing t-shirts and swag—a wonderful opportunity to meet and greet attendees, both familiar faces and newcomers. Though fast-paced, the first wave of arrivals soon subsided, leaving moments to breathe.
Having participated in the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition leading up to the event, I was sitting in 8th place that morning and couldn’t resist sneaking in time to solve a few riddles between tasks. After finishing my first volunteer duty, I greeted attendees at the entrance while chipping away at more CTF challenges.
Later, I explored the sponsor booths, which were a highlight for me this year. Two booths stood out:
Tenable: They hosted a Kahoot! quiz on Cloud Security, where the top three participants won exciting prizes like headphones and flasks. I managed to secure 3rd place in one of the quizzes and walked away with some amazing rewards.
Snode: Their booth featured a Mortal Kombat contest where winners of each game had their names entered into a draw to win a Nintendo Switch. It was both engaging and fun.
After collecting swag and chatting with attendees, I focused on preparing for my lightning talk.
My Talk
My lightning talk was titled From Volunteer to Black Hat Asia: A Journey in Cybersecurity. It chronicled my transition from volunteering at BSides Cape Town in 2023 to attending one of the world’s most prestigious cybersecurity conferences through the Rite of Passage Initiative. The talk covered:
Volunteering at BSides Cape Town 2023: How this experience introduced me to the broader cybersecurity community and its transformative impact on my journey.
The Rite of Passage Initiative: An overview of this incredible program that provides opportunities for students passionate about cybersecurity. I shared how it led to my sponsorship for Black Hat Asia 2024.
Black Hat Asia 2024: Insights from attending the conference, including the valuable connections I made and the talks that expanded my knowledge.
The Value of Community: Emphasizing how active involvement in the cybersecurity community—through volunteering and attending events—has propelled my career forward.
Encouraging Students: Practical advice for students and young professionals on volunteering, applying for scholarships, and building meaningful connections.
My goal was to inspire attendees to embrace opportunities within their local cybersecurity communities, highlighting the profound personal and professional growth these experiences can bring.
Reflections
As the event drew to a close, I wrapped up the CTF in 6th place—an accomplishment I thoroughly enjoyed, despite not making it to the top. I left the conference feeling inspired, fulfilled, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute for the second year in a row.
BSides Cape Town holds a special place in my heart as the final conference of my year. Reconnecting with familiar faces, making new connections, and sharing both technical insights and lighthearted conversations always leaves me energized. Communities like these shape careers, and I am living proof of that.
To the organizers and volunteers, thank you for making BSides Cape Town 2024 an unforgettable experience. Until next time, bcpt24{merci_beaucoup}!