BSides Tirana, a conference that began in 2022 in Albania, has quickly become one of the most significant events for the cybersecurity community in the country. Born from a vision to create a platform where innovators and professionals can challenge the status quo, BSides has evolved into an event that not only shares knowledge but also ignites a new passion for cybersecurity in Albania. In this interview, one of the co-founders of BSides reveals how a journey to BSides Athens sparked the idea that brought such a conference to the country and what surprises this year’s edition holds.
Can you tell us the story behind BSides Tirana? What inspired you to create this event?
Being part of the cybersecurity community in Albania for a long time, we have organized several activities such as workshops and Capture the Flag competitions to contribute to and further develop the community here. The idea to start BSides Tirana was conceived back in 2016 when we attended BSides Athens. The first edition was held in 2022, thanks to the support of S&T Albania, now Axians, which helped us in organizing it.
What is the primary goal of BSides Tirana, and what impact do you hope to achieve within the cybersecurity community in Albania?
The main goal of BSides Tirana is to provide a platform for the entire security community where they can share their ideas and research, learn new things through our workshops, and help the community forge new connections.
Who should attend BSides Tirana? Are there specific groups or professionals who would benefit the most from this event?
BSides Tirana is a free event where anyone with an interest in cybersecurity is welcome to attend. The conference attracts a diverse audience, from field professionals, business leaders, and institutions to students and individuals passionate about cybersecurity. The diversity of presentations and participants makes this conference valuable for all groups involved.
Can you give us an overview of the speakers and topics that will be covered during the event?
As in previous years, we have received speaker applications from all over the world. Our main focus is to offer the community in Albania a greater opportunity to present their ideas and research, but contributions from various countries such as Europe and America are also highly valuable. This edition will feature a variety of presentations on topics like Ransomware, Cloud Security, Threat Analysis, Radio Frequency Attacks, and many more.
What makes BSides Tirana different from other cybersecurity events? Why is it important for professionals and enthusiasts not to miss this event?
BSides Tirana is one of the few conferences in Albania that focuses on cybersecurity, with a special emphasis on the technical aspects of the field. This event is important because it offers enthusiasts the chance to stay updated on the latest developments in the field of security and the most trending topics. Additionally, the networking opportunities provided by the conference are one of its most valuable qualities, as they create new opportunities for business, employment, and idea sharing.
How do you see the future of cybersecurity in Albania, and how does BSides Tirana contribute to that vision?
Albania is a developing country in the field of cybersecurity, and compared to a few years ago, awareness of this field has increased significantly. This awareness will continue to grow in the future, resulting in an improvement in the level of security for individuals, companies, and institutions in Albania. This is one of the goals of the conference, to help as many people as possible understand the importance of cybersecurity and become more aware of it.
Do you have plans to expand BSides Tirana in the coming years?
BSides Tirana has experienced gradual growth each year, and we plan to expand the conference by including additional activities and inviting more speakers and participants.
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