BSides Edmonton April Newsletter
Nicole Schwartz
We are excited to see you at our 9th annual BSides Edmonton event
Date: Thursday September 24 - Friday September 25, 2026
Location: NAIT Productivity and Innovation Centre
Day 2 Keynote
We are thrilled to announce the Keynote for Friday 25 Sep 2026
Curtis Blais
Founder @ Savant Advisory Inc. | Shared CISO @ Cybera Inc.
Curtis Blais believes the greatest threat to cybersecurity isn’t a zero‑day exploit. It’s a lack of leadership.
That belief is the through‑line of his work.
Yes, Harvard risk management at the top of his class.
Yes, a master’s degree in leadership.
Yes, multiple certifications and a published author in the field of cybersecurity.
But credentials don’t create movement. People do.
Curtis has spent his career operating in the space between the cubicle and the corner office, developing a perspective shaped by decades of watching what actually works and what quietly fails. He’s watched “leaders” by title who couldn’t inspire a coffee break and individual contributors with no authority move entire organizations through sheer influence.
Known for his ability to strip the complex away from both technology and human behavior, Curtis brings a rare blend of technical depth and disciplined leadership thinking. His work centers on a simple, often uncomfortable truth: leadership isn’t a rank. It’s a choice. Exercised by people who decide to take responsibility long before anyone asks them to.
We hope that you are all as excited as we are to see him take the stage at BSides Edmonton 2026.
Call for Speakers
Are you interested in being a speaker at our event? The Call for Speakers (also called Call for Presentations) is open, and closes on May 31. Submit your idea here: https://sessionize.com/bsides-edmonton-2026
Do you have an idea, but need help crafting your submission? Request a CFP Mentor and we will try and pair you with a mentor to help you with your submission.
Event Tickets
BSides Edmonton 2026
Date: Thursday September 24 - Friday September 25, 2026
Location: NAIT Productivity and Innovation Centre
We are excited to bring you multiple speaker tracks, a Capture the Flag competition, workshops, and more.
Our event tickets are for sale, and we expect to sell out again.
Purchase yours here:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bsides-edmonton-2026-tickets-1744410451619?aff=newsletter
There are a limited number of student tickets available.
While you are purchasing your ticket, consider signing up for the Operation Defend the North workshop. Read more about it here: https://www.bsidesedmonton.org/2026-event/odtn
Call for Sponsors
If your organization is interested in sponsoring, or know someone who might be, please direct them here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIu3wQ5wngyLbLDU3DXqZP2j1XLWYGRQTgIMe74Onfi7Mkqg/viewform our Platinum sponsor spots are gone, but the others are still available. Sponsors make the event possible, so please spread the word.
Volunteer
BSides Edmonton is a fully volunteer run event. We are seeking a variety of volunteers both year round and day of.
To volunteer fill out the form here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYfwAsVlOD0ToLvOzNvoAnU0wFZ7qmrfuvHC4KxI69hcBwAQ/viewform
I recommend you purchase your ticket now even if you volunteer as we will sell out, and if you do become a volunteer we will refund your ticket.
siberXcon
We’re pleased to partner with siberX for siberXcon, a premier three-day cybersecurity conference that brings together multiple flagship events under one unified experience. Designed for security leaders, practitioners, and innovators, siberXcon delivers executive-level insights, cutting-edge discussions, and high-impact networking opportunities across the cybersecurity ecosystem.
Upcoming events include:
AiSecCon on May 25– focused on securing AI and emerging technologies
Canadian Women in Cybersecurity on May 26 – advancing inclusion and leadership in cyber
Now // AI Summit on May 27– exploring the future of AI innovation
To take advantage of the 30% partner discount, use the promo code when registering: SIBERXBSIDCF30
Learn more and register at siberx.org
Thank you to our sponsors
Donations
We also accept donations: https://www.bsidesedmonton.org/donation
See you in September,
BSides Edmonton Information Security Foundation
https://www.bsidesedmonton.org/
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