BSides Calgary shows cybersecurity isn’t all technical – it’s a spectator event as well

In the world of cybersecurity, sometimes the bad guys findthe door you forgot to lock. Sometimes they drive a big truck through the defences. But others, like keynote speaker Jenny Radcliffe, just charm thepants off you. Next thing you know, she has access to places she really shouldn’t.

Radcliffe is one of four keynote speakers at the 2025 BSides Calgary cybersecurity conference being held 1-2nd of May at Calgary’s Bow Valley College.

There will be plenty of technical talk, but organizer and cybersecurity professional James Cairns says among the roughly 65 presenters at the two-day event, there is lots for all knowledge and experience levels.

“Entry to cyber security is not necessarily by a linear path. This conference is not just for professionals, it's not just for students, it's not just for executives,” Cairns says, noting the event is nearing capacity with 750 tickets already sold.

He says it’s also an excellent networking opportunity, connecting businesses with each other – and with up-and-coming student talent.

Everyday physical systems are increasingly controlled remotely. This includes things such as climate and safety controls for commercial buildings, agriculture, smart power grids, avionics and transportation controls. If bad actors are able to connect to these networks, a lot of money – and lives – can be put in danger. Capable good guys are needed to keep it all safe.

“Non-technical attendees will be able to see first-hand the impact of security on cyber-physical OT devices,” Cairns says. “There are some real, visual, tactile impacts.”

Presentations include sessions on new research, building personal brand in security and some deep-down techno-wizard business as well.

Which, it turns out, can be a spectator sport that leaves you a little smarter in the end.

Over the two days an ongoing “capture the flag” competition will pit attackers against defenders in a special scenario that will include layers of challenges and prizes for the top five players.

Defenders will be looking to contain and secure their “flag” from the attackers – a back and forth that sometimes comes right down to the wire – as it did during the last competition at Bow Valley College in 2023.

“The difference between third and fourth place happened in the last 11 seconds, and this is running over two days,” Cairns says. “People are hacking and trying to figure these things out right to the last minute.”

It shouldn’t be surprising that Cairns gets excited talking about cyber security. He is the associate director of IT Security at Bow Valley College and helped secure the institution’s CSA Trusted Cloud Provider designation in 2024 – a world first for a post-secondary institution.

Among the other keynote presentations, Calgarian and threat detection and response expert Kyle Howson, as well as Roger A. Grimes, who will speak on the emerging world of quantum security.

Tickets and information can be found on the BSides Calgary website.

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