The bustling city of Pristina recently hosted the highly anticipated BSides Pristina 2024 for the third time, a premier event in the field of cybersecurity. This year’s conference, held in Kosovo, attracted a diverse group of attendees, including industry professionals, enthusiasts, students, and academics, all eager to delve into the latest developments and challenges in cybersecurity. Here is a recap of everything that happened in that conference.

The event overview

BSides Pristina, part of the global BSides movement, is renowned for its community-driven approach and emphasis on innovative and emerging topics in cybersecurity. The 2024 edition was no exception, offering a rich agenda filled with insightful talks, workshops, and networking opportunities. The conference featured an impressive lineup of speakers, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise to the stage.  These sessions covered a broad range of topics crucial to modern cybersecurity, from advanced hacking techniques to the intricacies of digital forensics and threat detection. Here’s a brief overview of the distinguished speakers who contributed to the event’s success:

Abdessamad Temmar: an independent Application & Product Security Engineer and active OWASP community contributor.

Alejandra Ventura: Cyber Security Consultant at NCC Group, specializing in penetration testing and threat intelligence.

Andi Ahmeti: Associate Threat Researcher at Permiso Security.

Arbnor Imeri: CISO at ProCredit Bank with over seven years of cross-sector expertise.

Bleon Proko: Security Engineer with a focus on infrastructure penetration testing and cloud security.

Blerim Rexha: Professor at the University of Prishtina, specializing in data and web service security.

Brian Harris: Expert in both cyber and physical penetration testing.

Dylan Dubief: Senior Security Consultant at Bishop Fox with a broad range of cybersecurity interests.

Kastriot Fetahaj: Cyber Security Engineer and Software Developer with extensive experience in various industries.

Korab Keqekolla: Cyber Security Officer at ndBIT.

Loic Dubarry: Senior Pentester at Bishop Fox.

Nikolay Frolov: Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky ICS CERT.

Roland Sako: Security Researcher at Kaspersky ICS CERT.

Rrezearta Thaqi: DevOps Engineer at Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo and Teaching Assistant at the University of Prishtina.

Tim Makram Ghatas: Senior Security Analyst at Bishop Fox.

Vigan Raca: Lead DevOps Engineer.

Vinnie Vanhoecke: Senior Security Consultant at Bishop Fox.

Wietze Beukema: Senior Threat Detection & Response Engineer.

Zhassulan Zhussupov: Malware Analyst and Threat Hunter at MSSP LAB.

This remarkable assembly of speakers provided attendees with invaluable insights into both the theoretical and practical aspects of cybersecurity, making BSides Pristina 2024 a standout event in the cybersecurity calendar. For more details on each speaker and their sessions, visit the BSides Pristina 2024 speakers page.

Permiso Security: a valued sponsor

A notable sponsor for this year’s event was Permiso Security, a leading cybersecurity company based in the USA. They not only provided financial support but also enriched the event with their expertise.Permiso Security is known for its innovative solutions in cybersecurity, specializing in advanced threat detection and response. Their technology leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to identify and mitigate cyber threats in real time.

Permiso Security offers comprehensive threat detection across various cloud environments, including AWS, Azure, and Microsoft 365. Their advanced technology monitors user behavior and integrates with platforms like Okta, GitHub, Jira, and 1Password, providing high-fidelity alerts to detect and mitigate threats. By correlating activities across these environments, Permiso creates a unified identity attribution system, making it easier to track malicious actions.

BSides Pristina 2024 was also supported by an array of other notable sponsors. Banka Ekonomike, Celonis, Pretera, Flossk, AMC, VentureUP, and the University of Prishtina were key contributors, each playing a crucial role in the success of the event. These sponsors provided the necessary resources and support to make the conference a landmark event in the cybersecurity community.

BSides Pristina: the highlight

BSides Pristina 2024 was marked by several standout elements that made it an exceptional experience for all attendees. The Capture the Flag (CTF) competition challenged participants to solve a series of cybersecurity puzzles, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills. Dedicated networking sessions facilitated connections among peers, speakers, and sponsors, promoting knowledge exchange and potential collaborations. The exhibition area, featuring booths from various cybersecurity companies and organizations, showcased the latest technologies and services in the field.

The commitment to creating an enriching experience for all attendees was evident in every aspect of the conference, from the registration process to the well-coordinated sessions. BSides Pristina 2024 not only provided a platform for learning and professional growth but also strengthened the local cybersecurity community. The event underscored the importance of collaboration and continuous education in tackling the evolving challenges of cybersecurity. As the conference concluded, there was a palpable sense of anticipation for next year’s edition.

Upcoming BSides conferences

The excitement doesn’t end with BSides Pristina. Cybersecurity enthusiasts can look forward to more insightful events in the coming months. Notably, BSides Tirana and BSides Athens are on the horizon:

BSides Tirana: Set to take place in the vibrant capital of Albania, BSides Tirana will feature a diverse array of speakers and workshops, fostering a collaborative environment for the exchange of ideas and knowledge. More details can be found at bsidestirana.al.

BSides Athens: Scheduled for later this year, BSides Athens promises to be a dynamic event with a focus on cutting-edge cybersecurity topics and networking opportunities. Attendees can expect engaging sessions from industry leaders and ample opportunities for professional growth. Visit bsidesath.gr for more information.

For more information about BSides Pristina and to stay updated on future events, visit bsidesprishtina.org.