Last weekend, our ITCI team had the incredible opportunity to attend BSides Tampa, one of the region’s premier cybersecurity conferences. As a company deeply invested in GRC analysis and cybersecurity, these events are invaluable for staying ahead of emerging threats and connecting with the vibrant security community.
A Day Packed with Learning
The keynote by Marcus Carey, “Lead with AI: Transforming Cybersecurity with Artificial Intelligence,” set the tone for the day, highlighting how AI is revolutionizing our industry – a topic that resonates strongly with our work at ITCI where we’re constantly evaluating how emerging technologies impact compliance requirements.
CMMC Focus
Our fearless leader Michael specifically attended these sessions to deepen our expertise in this critical compliance area. His detailed notes on the latest CMMC implementation strategies will be invaluable as we continue helping clients navigate the complex CMMC ecosystem. These sessions provided valuable perspectives on how organizations are preparing for CMMC compliance, reinforcing our approach with clients.
Sylvia Takes on the Neon Temple CTF
A highlight of our BSides experience was our very own, Sylvia, participating in the Neon Temple CTF (Capture The Flag). This wasn’t your typical technical CTF – it featured a unique Dungeons & Dragons style format where participants rolled dice to determine their fate! This D20 CTF required no technical background to participate (though Sylvia’s security knowledge certainly came in handy). Players created “clones” of themselves and navigated challenges by rolling dice, combining strategy with a bit of luck. Sylvia enjoyed the creative approach that blended cybersecurity concepts with tabletop gaming mechanics, making security knowledge accessible and fun for participants of all backgrounds.
Bringing Knowledge Back to ITCI
As we returned to the office, our team debriefed on key takeaways:
- AI integration in security operations is accelerating faster than many regulatory frameworks can adapt
- Purple teaming approaches continue to evolve, requiring us to update our assessment methodologies
- The CMMC ecosystem is maturing rapidly, with more organizations seeking strategic guidance
- Social engineering threats are being amplified by AI technologies, requiring new defensive strategies
We’re already implementing some of these insights into our client engagements and internal processes. BSides Tampa proved to be an excellent investment of our time, providing both technical knowledge and strategic perspective that will help us better serve our clients.
Looking forward to BSides St Pete!
