BSides Joburg is an annual volunteer-run, community-driven information security conference that brings together cybersecurity professionals, researchers, students, and enthusiasts from across South Africa and beyond. Rooted in the global Security BSides movement, BSides Joburg continues the tradition of creating a welcoming space where attendees can share knowledge, challenge assumptions, and build a stronger community.
The BSides concept was born in 2009 in Las Vegas when several high-quality talks were rejected from mainstream conferences due to limited space, and due a lack of merit. Rather than letting that content go unheard, organizers created an alternative platform—Security BSides—to give those voices a stage. That grassroots initiative quickly caught fire, and BSides chapters began springing up around the world, each run independently by passionate local volunteers.
In South Africa, BSides Cape Town started in 2011 at a small gathering at UCT. Over time, it became a cornerstone of South Africa’s cyber security calendar.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg saw its own rich history of security conferences, including the long-running ZACON. After ZACON came to an end, it was succeeded by 0xCON, which continued focus to community-organized events. ZACON and 0xCON refused to have sponsors to keep with the community spirit. However, an important question lingered in many security circles: What would happen if a community conference had the right infrastructure, marketing, and funding from the start—without sacrificing its grassroots ethos?
That question was the seed that led to the formation of BSides Joburg.
BSides Joburg aims to combine the best of both worlds: the community spirit and independence of BSides, with the operational maturity and professionalism typically reserved for large-scale industry events. Our goal is to offer a platform where local talent can thrive, where sponsors support without interfering, and where everyone—no matter their background or experience level—feels welcome.
Talks at BSides Joburg go through a blind review process, ensuring that selections are made purely on merit. We don’t sell speaking slots, and we take pride in upholding the global BSides values of openness, transparency, and community-first thinking.
