There is something incredibly special about the cybersecurity community. It’s an industry driven by curiosity, constant learning, and a unique sense of camaraderie. Back in September 2025, I got to experience this firsthand in the best way possible: by volunteering at BruCON 2025, one of Belgium’s premier hacking and security conferences.
I didn’t embark on this adventure alone. Together with my fellow student and close friend, Bilal Tarfouss, we packed our bags and headed out for an unforgettable few days. To make the experience even better, we stayed at a hotel right near the venue for two nights, which meant we were right in the thick of the action from early morning until the late-night networking sessions.
Balancing Work and Learning
Volunteering at a major conference like BruCON is a game of balance. Bilal and I each had a couple of shifts to complete every day. Our tasks ranged from helping with logistics and managing attendee flow to ensuring the tracks ran smoothly. It was busy, fast-paced, and gave us a unique, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to pull off a world-class cybersecurity event.
But it wasn’t all work. The organizers did a fantastic job of making sure volunteers had plenty of time to explore, network, and—most importantly—attend the talks.
From the Year 2038 Problem to Retro Gaming
As someone deeply focused on Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), I am always looking at how systemic risks impact our digital infrastructure. Because of this, one of the absolute highlights of the conference for me was an incredibly interesting talk about the Year 2038 problem (Y2038). Much like the famous Y2K bug, this issue stems from the limitations of 32-bit systems storing time as seconds elapsed since January 1, 1970. Listening to experts break down the looming compliance, risk management, and technical hurdles we face as 2038 approaches was both fascinating and a reminder of why proactive risk governance is so vital.
When we weren’t in the lecture halls or on shift, Bilal and I made sure to check out the more relaxed side of BruCON. We spent a good chunk of our downtime in the village areas, where I got to unwind and play some classic retro video games. It was the perfect throwback nod to tech history and a great way to bond with fellow attendees over shared nostalgia.
Why You Should Go (and Volunteer!)
Looking back, volunteering at BruCON 2025 was easily one of the highlights of my academic journey. Not only did Bilal and I get to expand our technical knowledge, but we also made invaluable connections with industry professionals, researchers, and peers.
If you are a student, a hobbyist, or an established professional in IT and cybersecurity, I cannot recommend BruCON enough. And if you get the chance to volunteer, take it! It changes how you experience the event, gives you a sense of ownership, and plugs you directly into a community that is welcoming, brilliant, and incredibly fun.
See you at the next edition?