Security B-Sides Ottawa - Wrap Up

Last week Ottawa was host to the first Security B-Sides conference outside of the United States. Over 120 people attended the event held at Tuscon's over two days.

B-Sides was born out of the need to share ideas unbound by the typical mores of the big conferences. Speakers for B-Sides are chosen for their ideas and contributions to the community rather than their notoriety. Attendees of B-Sides are unconfined by budget as B-Sides is free for all.

We chose a live entertainment bar to bring a social and interactive atmosphere, and did it ever work. There was a great deal of audience interaction, and the 'hallway track' was among the best of any event. Every conference should have tables instead of rows of isolating chairs!

As one of the co-organizers of the event, I was extremely pleased with the feedback we received. We had excellent speakers over the two days cover everything from authentication to emergency response and electronic medical records to fuzzing. They came from all over North America and invoked a lively debate that continued well after the talks ended. This wasn't your typical conference as beer-in-hand speakers and heckling audience members were the rule rather than the exception. We also had a good time enhancing (or perhaps destroying) Canadian/US relations with some good natured jabs in both directions.

I want to thank my co-organizers Andrew Hay and Peter Hillier, our volunteers Bryan Tice, Keli Hay, Carl Anctil and Norbert Griffin. I also want to thank our very generous sponsors. Without them the event wouldn't have been possible. Tripwire was even good enough to give one lucky attendee a Macbook Air!

I also have to thank the B-Sides founders and global team, Mike, Chris and especially Jack Daniel for joining us and hosting the very entertaining panel session.

Originally B-Sides paralleled major conferences, but the idea is strong enough to stand on its own, as the attendees of B-Sides Ottawa can attest. I see B-Sides as more of a movement than the sum of its collective parts. It connects people with ideas and each other and I was happy to be a small part of that.

Links:
Security B-Sides Ottawa Homepage
Twitter Stream for #BSidesOttawa
Photos by Jack Daniel
Summary by Pete Hillier
Summary by Dan Menard
Summary by Rafal Los