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BSides Cheltenham 2025 delivered on its ambitious mission statement: “Through education, collaboration, and innovation within the cyber security community, we’re focused on building a safer digital world.” As someone who has been deeply embedded in the cyber security community for well over a decade, this year’s event represented a significant evolution from previous iterations, with a new organising committee bringing a fresh energy and perspective to this beloved community gathering.
The choice of Cheltenham Town Hall as the venue was inspired, the historic setting provided an elegant backdrop that elevated the entire experience while maintaining the intimate, community-focused atmosphere that makes BSides events so special. From the moment doors opened at 8:30 AM, there was a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation among attendees.
Standout Presentations
Ollie Whitehouse
Ollie Whitehouse’s keynote as Chief Technical Officer of the National Cyber Security Centre was nothing short of exceptional. Having followed Ollie’s career journey from his extensive industry experience at NCC Group to his current role as the NCSC’s first-ever CTO, I was eager to hear his insights on how national cyber security strategy intersects with community-driven initiatives like BSides.
I loved his take on “Cyber as a Science”, and this line really stuck with me as it is so true, “We know more about what is in our sausages than our software. We need much more transparency in how software is built.” To eradicate phishing, passkeys not passwords are the future, and it is imperative that we make the UK the most hostile place to target and prepare as a country for when a large-scale cyber-attack happens.
Ollie also said during his presentation, “If we don’t fix the market we will fail when it comes to security by design, organisations should not be driven by profit and revenue”. I’ve been saying this for YEARS, and I hope to see organisations take more of an approach to fix the market moving forward.
The Q&A session following his talk was equally valuable, with Ollie demonstrating the kind of accessibility and openness that makes the cyber security community so unique. His willingness to engage directly with attendees, from seasoned professionals to newcomers, embodied the collaborative spirit that BSides represents and it was refreshing to see this as traditionally the National Cyber Security Centre can be quite a closed book.
Joe Tidy: The Evolution of Teenage Hacking
Joe Tidy’s presentation on teenage hacking was both eye-opening and deeply concerning. As the BBC’s first-ever Cyber Correspondent, Joe brought his unique investigative journalism perspective to bear on a topic that affects every parent, educator, and cyber security professional.
Joe’s analysis of how teenage hacking has evolved from “mischievous youths experimenting harmlessly from their bedrooms” to a serious security threat was particularly powerful. His real-world examples drawn from his extensive investigative work for his book “Ctrl Alt Chaos” painted a vivid picture of the pathways that lead young people from gaming cheats and social media scams to sophisticated cyber-attacks.
What I found most valuable about Joe’s presentation was his nuanced understanding of the psychological and social factors that drive this evolution. As someone who is #OpenlyNeurodivergent and passionate about diversity and inclusion in cyber security, I was particularly interested in his discussion of how certain cognitive traits that might make young people susceptible to recruitment by criminal groups are the same traits that could make them valuable contributors to legitimate cyber security efforts.
I was also very excited to get my copy of “Ctrl Alt Chaos” signed by him along with a selfie 😊
The Infosec Influencers Fireside Chat
The fireside chat on Infosec Influencers was perhaps the most thought-provoking session of the day. As someone who has built a significant online presence through my “Cyber Geek Girl” blog and Cyber Security Unity platform, with a large following on LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook and Instagram I found myself both represented in and challenged by the discussion.
The panellists brought diverse perspectives, and I found myself nodding along with the discussions. As someone who writes openly about my being #OpenlyNeurodivergent and my personal experiences, I was particularly interested in the conversation about vulnerability and how sharing our human stories can make cyber security more relatable and accessible.
I can’t say too much about this important Fireside Chat as it was bound by Chatham House Rules, but I do believe that with influence comes responsibility. For my part, I feel I have an obligation to ensure my content is accurate, helpful, and aligned with making the digital world safer for everyone. I will be writing a longer article/blog on this subject as I have lots of thoughts on it after being at this insightful panel discussion.
And finally, there was a brilliant touch with some of the volunteers handing out some chocolate covered toasted marshmallow ultimate s’more biscuits as it was a “Fireside Chat”. I admit I was naughty and had two, one that I ate during the discussion and one that I put in my bag and brought home which went down very nicely with a Tassimo cappuccino while writing this review.
Community and Networking: The Cornerstone of Any Bsides Event
One of the strongest aspects of BSides Cheltenham 2025 was the genuine sense of community that permeated every aspect of the event. The organising committee Charlie, Abi, David, Dom, and Rich created an environment that felt both professional and welcoming, where newcomers felt comfortable asking questions and industry veterans were eager to share their knowledge.
The networking opportunities were outstanding, with natural conversation flowing throughout the day. I had meaningful discussions with professionals across the spectrum from students just beginning their cyber security journey to seasoned practitioners. These connections are what make BSides events so valuable, they’re not just about the formal presentations, but about the relationships and collaborations that emerge organically.
A Personal Note
I must mention that I had to leave the event at 3:30pm as it was quite warm and humid in the venue. While this was disappointing as I missed some of the afternoon sessions, it’s worth noting that July in England can present unexpected comfort challenges, and I wrote recently about how heat sensitivity impacts me as someone who is neurodivergent. If it was 30 degrees like it was the weekend before, there is no way I could have gone, but I took my hot weather kit with me including my portable air con cooling fan and misting spray. This helped me to be able to stay for as long as I did.
Final Thoughts
BSides Cheltenham 2025 successfully delivered on its mission of building a safer digital world through education, collaboration, and innovation. The combination of high-quality technical content, outstanding networking opportunities, and genuine community spirit made this a standout event in the BSides calendar.
For anyone involved in cyber security whether you’re a seasoned professional, a newcomer to the field, or simply someone interested in digital safety BSides Cheltenham offers exceptional value. The event perfectly balances accessibility with depth, making complex cyber security topics understandable without dumbing them down.
I’m already looking forward to BSides Cheltenham 2026 and would encourage anyone in the cyber security community to mark their calendars. Events like this remind us why cyber security is fundamentally a community endeavour, we’re stronger when we work together, share knowledge freely, and support one another in our mission to create a safer digital world. Well done Charlie, Abi, David, Dom, and Rich, take a bow, you all did great!