This is a guest post by Korinne Jackman, co-organizer of BSides Philadelphia, for which Technical.ly is a proud media partner.
If you work in or are interested in learning more about cybersecurity and what it means to society, you’ll want to attend this year’s BSides Philadelphia.
On Friday, Dec. 5, security professionals, researchers and curious newcomers will gather at Live! Casino & Hotel for a full-day, community-driven cybersecurity conference. It runs from breakfast at 8 a.m. through closing sessions at 6 p.m.
BSidesPhilly is more than just a conference; it is the essential, community-driven engine of the Philadelphia information security ecosystem.
Alongside a packed schedule of talks and workshops, there’s a lot of fun and networking planned: attendees can dive into team competitions and spend time in the conference’s dedicated Career Village.
That’s because BSidesPhilly is more than just a conference; it is the essential, community-driven engine of the Philadelphia information security ecosystem.
It stands as a vital, accessible platform that not only hosts compelling technical discussions but actively builds the collaborative and supportive infrastructure necessary for the entire regional cybersecurity community. By prioritizing open exchange, affordability, and local expertise, BSidesPhilly ensures the future resilience and innovation of security practices across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Fostering local expertise and growth
The primary importance of BSidesPhilly lies in its deep commitment to local capacity building.
Unlike large, commercial trade shows that often focus on vendor solutions and high-level strategy, BSidesPhilly centers on practical, actionable knowledge and grassroots research.
This is where the region’s everyday defenders and researchers showcase their latest findings, from deep-dive talks on CI/CD vulnerabilities and threat intelligence to hands-on Capture The Flag competitions. This focus creates a virtuous cycle: It encourages local security professionals to develop and present their work, enriching the regional knowledge base, and simultaneously provides attendees with immediately useful skills they can apply in their jobs.
Plus, BSidesPhilly is a major force for talent development. The Career Village connects experienced professionals and recruiters with newcomers, providing resume advice and helping students find their footing in the industry. With this environment prioritizing mentorship and education, the event supports the growth of a diverse and skilled cyber workforce. That’s critical for protecting the region’s academic institutions, healthcare systems and businesses.
For 2025, those opportunities sit alongside a full roster of talks, keynotes and interactive sessions that highlight both cutting-edge research and real-world security practice, all designed to help attendees level up — whether they work in a SOC, manage security for a small organization or are just getting started in the field.
What makes BSidesPhilly different
What truly sets BSidesPhilly apart from other security conferences in the Philadelphia area is its non-profit, community-first ethos. As part of the global BSides movement, it keeps the focus squarely on community-driven education and accessibility rather than a vendor-heavy expo floor.
Low-cost accessibility
Hosted by a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the event is intentionally kept affordable and accessible. This removes significant financial barriers, ensuring that students, independent researchers and professionals without corporate travel budgets can attend and participate fully. This “for the community, by the community” model is fundamental to the global movement and is deeply embedded in the Philly event.
Uncensored technical depth
BSides events originated as a platform for high-quality speakers and topics that were often overlooked by mainstream, corporate conferences. This legacy continues in Philly, resulting in a richer, more technical and less vendor-influenced agenda. Speakers are granted the freedom to explore philosophical discussions, cutting-edge research and alternative takes on infosec topics, providing a level of depth that is rare in more structured, corporate environments.
That depth extends into the hands-on elements, too. BSides Philadelphia’s red team and blue team Capture the Flag competitions, hosted on the ThreatSims platform, invite participants to test both offensive and defensive skills in realistic scenarios, from exploitation challenges to detection, incident response, system hardening and forensics. All BSidesPhilly attendees are eligible to take part, and CTF participation is included with conference registration.
Intimate and inclusive atmosphere
While commercial summits cater primarily to C-suite executives, BSidesPhilly is the “great equalizer.” It creates an intimate, welcoming, and relaxed atmosphere where networking is genuine and conversations are peer-to-peer. It is designed to be a safe place for “InfoSec Infants” and veterans alike to exchange ideas without judgment, breaking down the often-intimidating hierarchy found at larger conventions. It’s the place where lasting professional connections are forged, not just business cards exchanged.
All of that is backed by a mission to foster an inclusive environment where cybersecurity professionals of all experience levels can learn, share and grow together, firmly rooting Philadelphia in the global BSides network while reflecting the city’s own collaborative security culture.
How to join in
BSidesPhilly 2025 takes place Friday, Dec. 5, at Live Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, 900 Packer Ave., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. At $90 for the whole day, your badge gets you into the full day of programming, including talks, community spaces, CTF and the Career Village. Conference tickets and the full schedule are available now via the BSides Philadelphia website.