What is BSides?

Each BSides is a a unique conference with different governing bodies and organisers, no two BSides events are the same. They are based on a community-driven framework for building events for and by information security community members.

To see what BSides means to the community, check out What BSides Means to Me

Canberra BSides

BSides Canberra is a hacker conference, not an InfoSec or Cyber Security conference. Hackers are more focused on the joy of discovery, deep innerworkings, as well as novel approaches to understanding. InfoSec/Cyber Security is more focused on the enterprise, frameworks, and protecting the interests of share holders. There is great value in both types of content, but our con is a hacker con by design.

It is an annual, two day, forum for discussion and debate for hackers, security engineers and their affiliates. We produce a conference that is a source of education, collaboration, and continued conversation for information technologists and those associated with this field. The technical and academic presentations at BSidesCbr are given in the spirit of peer review and advanced knowledge dissemination. This allows the field of Information Security to grow in breadth and depth, and continue in its pursuit of highly advanced scientifically based knowledge.

**CODE OF CONDUCT**

We have NO TOLERANCE for physical/verbal/sexual harassment of any human!

Our “Code of Conduct” is “Be Excellent to Each Other” AKA the Golden Rule. Failing that, it is “Do not be an Ass* or we will kick your ass out!”.

Why do we have an official anti-harassment policy for BSides Canberra? First, it is necessary (unfortunately). Harassment at events is incredibly common. Second, it sets expectations for behavior at the event. Simply having an anti-harassment policy can prevent harassment all by itself. Third, it encourages people to attend who have had bad experiences at other events. Finally, it gives event staff instructions on how to handle harassment quickly, with the minimum amount of disruption or bad press for the event.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, age, race, religion, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Asking questions of a speaker during their talk, to get clarity or debate a point is NOT being an ass – heckling or haranguing the speaker IS. Harassment online or in electronic venues will be treated as seriously as physical harassment. If you are not sure, ask, or err on the side of basic decency and common courtesy. If what they are doing would not be acceptable to have done to you, your best friend, your worst enemy, your sister, niece, daughter, brother, nephew, son, mother, father, or any human being, do not let them treat anyone else that way – whether you know them or not. If someone asks you to stop – stop.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, BSides Canberra organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of conference staff immediately. Our Event Staff can usually be identified by special badges/attire. Please note, while we take all concerns raised seriously, we will use our discretion as to in determining when and how to follow up on reported incidents and may decline to take any further action and/or may direct the participant to other resources for resolution.

BSides Canberra staff will be happy to help participants contact venue/event security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your attendance.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and related social events.

*Staff reserves the right to determine what constitutes “Being an Ass”.