BSides NoVA 2024: A Fantastic Event for Cybersecurity Enthusiasts
I’m Brian Olson, a cybersecurity professional with deep experience in DFIR and network forensics—currently working in Big Tech. My mission? To share hard-won lessons not just with fellow experts, but with anyone learning and growing in security—especially those in smaller companies without the resources or teams a massive enterprise has. I started blogging to break down real-world strategies, honest tool reviews, and battle-tested workflows in plain language. Whether you’re an underdog SOC analyst or a curious IT pro tackling security for the first time, my goal is to make the practical side of cybersecurity a little less overwhelming—and a lot more actionable. Expect guides that cut through the noise, resources that are actually useful at the keyboard, and stories that prove you don’t need a giant budget to make a real impact. You’ll also find my takes on personal finance, real estate, and anything that helps us level up—in and out of work. Let’s connect. We’re all in this together!
This past weekend, I had the privilege of speaking at BSides NoVA, a cybersecurity conference held in the Northern Virginia area. Despite living in the area for 10 years, this was my first time attending the conference, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed.
An Intimate yet Diverse Event
The main hall, which had a capacity of 300, was packed to the brim during the keynote, with attendees spilling out into the standing room area. I estimated around 500 attendees, making it an ideal size for a conference. The event was large enough to attract a diverse range of attendees and speakers but small enough to maintain an intimate atmosphere, allowing for meaningful connections to be made.
A Day of Engaging Presentations
I spent the day in the main auditorium with friends and colleagues, enjoying a series of engaging presentations. The quality of the talks was exceptional, and I’m eagerly awaiting the release of the recordings to catch up on the sessions I missed in the other tracks.
Reconnecting with Old Friends
One of the highlights of the event was running into old friends and acquaintances I hadn’t seen in years. It was amazing to reconnect and catch up on each other’s lives. The cybersecurity community is surprisingly small, and events like BSides NoVA serve as a reminder of the importance of building and maintaining relationships within the industry.
A Speaker’s Perspective
As a speaker, I was invited to a dinner the evening before the event, where I had the opportunity to meet fellow speakers and the founder of BSides NoVA, Sophia Fadli. I thoroughly enjoy speaking at events like this, not only because I get to share my knowledge and experiences but also because I get to connect with like-minded individuals in a more intimate setting.
Logistics and Lessons Learned
The event was held at George Mason University, which offered ample parking options, including a convenient parking garage beneath the building. However, lunch was a different story. With only two food trucks available, the lines were long, and I ended up missing half of the next talk I wanted to attend. A valuable lesson learned: next year, I’ll be exploring alternative lunch options!
A Minor Complaint
My only real complaint about the event was that it was too short! With only a single day of talks, I felt like the event was just getting started when it was time to wrap up. Given the high number of submissions this year, I’m hoping that future events might consider adding an extra day to accommodate more talks and activities.
Overall, BSides NoVA 2024 was an outstanding event that exceeded my expectations. I’m already looking forward to next year’s conference and the opportunity to reconnect with friends, make new connections, and learn from the best in the industry.
