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150+ cybersecurity experts gather at Federation University Ballarat for a sell-out conference.

5 May 2025
More than 150 cybersecurity experts, students and professionals will gather in Ballarat on 3 and 4 May for the first BSides Ballarat cybersecurity conference hosted by Federation University.  

Over 150 cybersecurity experts, students and professionals will gather in Ballarat on 3 and 4 May for the first BSides Ballarat cybersecurity conference hosted by Federation University.

The sold-out conference sees cybersecurity students, enthusiasts, commercial security professionals, and security experts come together to hear keynote speakers and explore the fascinating and rapidly growing world of cybersecurity.

This is the first time a BSides event is being held outside of Melbourne, a major coup for regional Victoria.

Federation University says that interest in its cybersecurity courses has been growing, reflecting the increased demand for job-ready graduates who can respond to current and emerging cybersecurity threats.

Federation’s cybersecurity courses include a mandatory paid placement through its co-operative program, meaning that local employers benefit from the skills of local students.

Federation University Post Doctoral Researcher in Cybersecurity and conference organising committee member, Paul Black, emphasises the importance:

“With many prestigious cybersecurity conferences held in capital cities, regional areas often miss out. It is especially exciting to host BSides Ballarat and build the cybersecurity community in Ballarat, especially amongst young people.”

“At Federation we are training the next generation of cybersecurity analysts who will be working to keep communities and industries safe from global and local threats.”

BSides Ballarat aims to boost cybersecurity awareness and skills with sessions on:

  • Starting a Cybersecurity Career: Learn how to enter this dynamic field.
  • Practical Projects: Engage in hands-on cybersecurity activities.
  • Network Security: Discover how to protect your network.
  • Security Architectures: Understand the frameworks that safeguard our digital world.
  • Reverse Engineering: Learn by taking things apart.
  • Cyber Warfare: Explore the tactics of attackers and defenders.

Attendees will hear from keynote speaker Nick Bruyn from eManaged, who will discuss “Small Business, Easier Target.” The conference will also feature speakers from top organisations including Microsoft, Federation’s Internet Commerce Security Laboratory, IBM, Telstra, Australian Federal Police, Medibank, and more.

Media are invited to attend between 9am – 10.30am on Saturday to interview Federation University cybersecurity academics