Cyber and Cider 2023 Event Recap

The History of Cyber and Cider

In October 2022, Edge Networks kicked off its first Cyber and Cider networking event right in the heart of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It just made sense – an October cybersecurity event complemented by locally crafted cider. So, of course, we tracked down a local cider company, catered light bites, and put together a panel of cybersecurity experts for a panel discussion and networking event.  

After a successful event, we decided to plan for round two the next year. This time, we knew we wanted to mix things up and put networking front and center. 

Cyber and Cider 2023 Recap

On a crisp October evening in the heart of Portland, cybersecurity enthusiasts and professionals gathered at Portland Cider House for an event that seamlessly integrated cybersecurity, networking, and a touch of local flavor.  

Cyber & Cider provided space for the local cybersecurity community to mingle and connect with like-minded individuals. Conversations flowed freely, ideas were exchanged, and relationships were built. The energy in the room was evidence that the cybersecurity network in the Portland metro area is thriving. 

We recognize that the cybersecurity landscape is ever-changing, often daunting, and always critical. But within that landscape lies a tremendous opportunity to build connections that empower, educate, and protect our community. That’s why we are deeply committed to hosting events like this one. 

Our vision for this event stemmed from a desire to build a resilient and dynamic cyber community. The Vancouver-Portland area is overflowing with potential, marked by innovative startups, tech-savvy individuals, and companies that are at the forefront of digital transformation. Cyber & Cider is designed to be a place where these various elements come together to strengthen our collective cybersecurity posture. 

The Future of Cyber and CIder

We believe that by gathering local professionals and enthusiasts in a relaxed, approachable setting, we break down the barriers that often silo knowledge and experience. Cybersecurity is a field that thrives on shared information and collaborative problem-solving, and our event aims to facilitate these interactions. Through this, we want to create a ripple effect – one that not only elevates the cybersecurity readiness of individual attendees and their organizations but also enhances the safety and security of our wider community.   

Furthermore, Cyber & Cider serves as a platform for showcasing the incredible talent and resources available right here in our backyard. It challenges the notion that one must look to Silicon Valley or other tech meccas for innovation and expertise. We have a booming tech landscape, and by highlighting local experts and companies, we reinforce the area’s status as a cybersecurity hub. 

In hosting Cyber & Cider, we are nurturing a community where novices can learn from seasoned professionals, organizations can find their next cybersecurity solution, and where everyone can enjoy the camaraderie that comes from shared challenges and triumphs. This event is more than just an annual gathering; it’s a cornerstone in building a cybersecurity ecosystem that’s robust, inclusive, and distinctly Pacific Northwest. 

 

A Heartfelt Thank-You

None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Sumo Logic, Gage Technologies, and the Technology Association of Oregon played pivotal roles in making Cyber & Cider a resounding success. Their dedication to the cybersecurity community is evident in the knowledge and resources they provided, contributing significantly to the event’s impact. 

Cyber & Cider was a great reminder of the thriving cybersecurity community in the Portland metro area and emphasized the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.

We’re so grateful for the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of our exceptional team in putting this event on. From the initial brainstorming sessions to the final moments of the event, their commitment and hard work played a key role in making this event a success.

Stay Tuned for Future Events!

In the coming months, you can expect even more engaging, interactive, and informative events from us at Edge Networks that will further strengthen the cybersecurity community in the Portland-metro area. If you’re interested in getting notified about our future events, we invite you to sign up for our monthly newsletter below and follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on upcoming events and what’s happening at Edge.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team for their unwavering efforts and to our attendees, sponsors, and the entire cybersecurity community for making Cyber & Cider 2023 a memorable and enriching experience. Your support fuels our determination to shape the future of cybersecurity, one event at a time. We can’t wait to see you at our upcoming events!
cider glasses doing a cheers

Cyber and Cider 2022 Event Recap: A Happy Hour for Local Professionals

Image of Edge Networks CEO at a event.

The Event

In November, Edge Networks held a happy hour for local professionals, generously sponsored by 1Password. We had the exciting opportunity to network with IT and Cybersecurity professionals, enjoy delicious bites and beverages, hear from a conversational panel of industry experts, and come away with tips, tricks, new connections, and a few freebies!

Say Ciao! catered some incredible light bites and beverages. Say Ciao! is a local catering company in Vancouver, WA, and one of our team’s favorite places to order our weekly lunch from. Mela Brewing Co, another great, local company here in Vancouver, provided delicious hard cider for our attendees.

 

 

The Panel

Our cybersecurity panel consisted of industry professionals from Edge Networks, Intel, and Realwear, and they covered important topics like phishing, security patches, password hygiene, MFA, and more. Missed out or interested in a refresher? Check out the full Cyber and Cider Panel Recap.  We also got to hear some great personal stories, recommendations, and advice from our panel.

We want to say a big thank you to our incredible panel for taking the time to share your insight, tips, and advice. There is so much we can learn from experts like you!

 

Image of Dan

Dan Pritzlaff

Director of Cybersecurity, 

Edge Networks

Image of Shola

Shola Adegboye

Security Researcher (FIPS Program Manager), Intel

Image of Mark

Mark Needham

NetSuite Administrator,

Realwear

 
Image of Alexis

Alexis Cozart, Moderator

Cybersecurity Analyst,

Edge Networks

Full Panel Recap

If you missed the event or just want a refresher, here’s the full video of our conversational panel. Check out our YouTube channel for more event highlights.

 

Special Thanks

We want to say a great, big thank you to all of our partners. From offering useful tools and resources, opening up your event space, providing excellent catering, sponsoring our event, and more, you have all contributed a great amount and without you this event would not have been as successful.

 

 

Let’s Stay in Touch!

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