History
From Security Fringe to Global Movement
Rejected speakers. A borrowed venue. One idea: conferences should be about the people, not the politics.
2009
The birth of BSides
In 2009, Black Hat Las Vegas had more good speakers than slots. The rejected ones decided to hold their own conference on the “B side” instead of going home.
Key figures including Mike Murray, Chris Nickerson, Mike Dahn, Davi Ottenheimer, and Anton Chuvakin shaped the early vision. Originally titled “Security Fringe,” the name was changed to “Security BSides” based on peer recommendations. The goal: an open event where anyone could participate.
The first BSides took place July 29–30, 2009, in Las Vegas. Chris Nickerson provided venue space and secured sponsorships, Jack Daniel handled logistics, Travis Goodspeed created badges, and community members donated their time. It worked. People wanted conferences built around conversations and personal interaction, not sales pitches.
2010 – 2011
BSides goes global
By July 2010, the Las Vegas conference had about 650 participants across two tracks with 25 organizers. That same year, BSides events launched in Berlin, Ottawa, Dallas, Delaware, Atlanta, Kansas City, Denver, Boston, Austin, and San Francisco, each drawing 100 to 300+ participants.
2011 was the tipping point. Over 40 events took place globally, reaching Australia and Africa. Mike Dahn registered Security BSides as a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in March 2011. That gave communities worldwide a framework to run their own events.
Expand conversation
Make room for ideas that don't fit the traditional conference mold.
Enable participation
Everyone has something to contribute. Lower the barriers to sharing knowledge.
Encourage involvement
Conferences should be built by the community that shows up for them.
These three principles are community-owned. Every BSides event is independent, organized by local people who care about open security education.
2013 – Present
BSides Tampa joins the movement
In 2013, a small group of security folks in the Tampa Bay area launched BSides Tampa. Thirteen years later, it ranks among the top three BSides events in the world. That growth happened through Krewe effort and word-of-mouth.
Today, BSides Tampa draws 2,400+ participants, 50+ sessions across 7 tracks, 3 villages, 12 training courses, and 140+ Krewe members. It is supported by the Tampa Bay Chapter of ISC2 and remains 100% Krewe-organized. No paid staff, no sales floor, no corporate agenda. Just community.
By the community. For the community. #BSidesTampa
13 years of impact
Growth timeline, cumulative stats, and what 13 years adds up to.
See the numbersBe Part of Year 13
BSides Tampa 2026. Join 2,400+ participants for Training Day and Conference Day: sessions, villages, training, and community.
By the community. For the community. #BSidesTampa