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A Huge Shout Out to Ken Smith and the Burning River Cyber Con Team

Burning River Cyber Con 2025 was nothing short of outstanding, and it’s all thanks to Ken Smith and the entire Burning River Cyber Con team. Their dedication and vision set a new standard for cybersecurity conferences in the Midwest. The event, held at the vibrant 78th Street Studios in Cleveland, Ohio, brought together red teamers, penetration testers, security researchers, and incident responders, all eager to share and learn from real world experiences. I had the privilege of serving as the armed security officer at the event, representing Ohio Security & Investigations LLC, and ensuring everyone’s safety so the community could focus on learning and connecting.

Industry Leaders and Big Names

Ken Smith and the team assembled an impressive lineup of speakers and attendees, attracting some of the biggest names in the cybersecurity industry. Sessions like “The Art of Compromising Passwords” by Joel Coakley and “I’m not actually an SCCM admin… I just implied it” by Garrett Foster drew large audiences and delivered deep insights and practical takeaways. The presence of these experts fostered an environment of collaboration and inspiration, making this conference a must attend for anyone serious about advancing their skills and knowledge in cybersecurity.

Unforgettable Experience

Attendees raved about the high-quality content, open discussions, and welcoming atmosphere. The conference was packed with actionable intelligence, candid lessons from the field, and plenty of opportunities to network with peers and industry leaders. The post event happy hour at Terrestrial Brewing Company was the perfect way to cap off a day filled with learning and connection.

Looking Ahead

As someone passionate about cybersecurity, I was thrilled to be part of this vibrant community and to engage with so many talented professionals. The insights and connections gained at Burning River Cyber Con 2025 have already begun to shape our approach to offensive security and defense. Looking ahead, I am excited about the prospect of being part of Burning River Cyber Con 2026 and hope to contribute even more, whether through sharing experiences, supporting the event, or collaborating with the incredible network of experts and enthusiasts that make this conference so special.

Burning River Cyber Con is more than just a conference, it’s a celebration of the cybersecurity community’s passion, expertise, and commitment to staying ahead of evolving threats. Here’s to Ken Smith, the Burning River Cyber Con team, and everyone who made this event a huge success. Special thanks from Ohio Security & Investigations LLC for allowing us to serve as the armed security company for this incredible gathering. I can’t wait to see even more big names and fresh faces at Burning River Cyber Con 2026!

For more information, visit https://burningrivercybercon.com/