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News.

Well Met Hosts BSides Cyber Security Conference at Cloth Hall Court

Over 300 delegates featuring cyber security experts, computer technology students and tech companies, make a welcome return to Cloth Hall Court on 25 January 2019, to attend the second BSides Leeds event, dedicated to cyber security, web attacks and computer hacking.
The event takes place at Cloth Hall Court, hosted by Well Met, the conferencing office of Leeds Beckett University, organised by students from Leeds Beckett University’s School of Computing, Creative Technologies and Engineering, along with the university’s Ethical Hacking Society.

Sessions will include Smart locks, war games, and hardware hacking and new for 2019 will be a focus on mental health and well-being. Amanda Berlin, CEO of Mental Health Hackers, will use her closing keynote ‘Hackers, Hugs and Drugs: Mental health in Infosec’ to advise security professionals and heavy users of tech of how to spot the signs and reduce mental health issues associated with the industry such as anxiety, social isolation and depression.

The conference will be attended by a number of experts from the security industry and delegates will get the chance to hear from a range of specialists who will cover everything from social engineering to the latest attacks on systems. Delegates will also have the opportunity to engage in practical workshops which will look at developing new skills and technology. There will also be a car hacking village, lock picking village and mental health village which are currently areas of key focus for tech industries.

Emlyn Butterfield, Course Director for forensics and security courses at Leeds Beckett, including MSc Computer Security, said:

“This event is a great opportunity for people within the security industry to come together, network and share expertise. Leeds has shown itself to be a hub of digital activity, and the inclusion of this conference further reinforces the specialist skills and knowledge available locally.

Our students will have the opportunity to get real world knowledge which will reinforce their learning and give them the opportunity to talk to industry on a massive scale. We will hear about a range of security technologies and techniques that are at the forefront of the security industry.”

Mark Carney, BSides founder, said: “We aim to create a space that will bring together industry luminaries, professionals, businesses, students and those aiming to get into the industry, to discuss current topics and technical viewpoints.

The cyber security industry is growing, and with the arrival of the BSides conference, Leeds is further establishing itself as a centre for excellence in the industry.”

Clare Vidler, Conference Manager at Cloth Hall Court, said:
“We’re delighted to see the return of the BSides conference following the success of the inaugural event last year. It’s a great opportunity to promote the city to an international audience of tech experts and showcase Leeds as a digital tech hub. It also gives some of our students an opportunity to see what their future may hold, when they meet industry experts.”