Buffalo, NY - Canisius University opened its doors to some 300 cybersecurity professionals, students, and enthusiasts on Saturday, June 7, for "Hack Nickel City," a cybersecurity and information technology conference that brought together the region's digital defenders for a day of learning, collaboration, and innovation.
Hosted by BSides Buffalo and held in Science Hall, the all-day event highlighted Canisius University's role as a regional leader in cybersecurity education and its connection to the local tech community.
"BSides conferences bring together the practitioners who are on the front lines of cybersecurity every day - the engineers and analysts who have their hands on the keyboard," said Matt Gracie, organizer of the BSides Buffalo conference and adjunct professor of cybersecurity at Canisius University. "Canisius is the perfect host for this event because we're home to Western New York's only technology-based master's level cybersecurity program, and we have the state-of-the-art facilities and academic expertise that really complement what BSides is all about - hands-on learning and community collaboration."
The conference featured an array of activities designed to serve cybersecurity professionals at all levels. Industry experts delivered specialized presentations across multiple tracks, including the popular "Hacking is Art" sessions that explored the creative intersection between technology and artistic expression, and "Introsec" presentations that introduced newcomers to cybersecurity fundamentals.
Hands-on learning opportunities allowed participants to dive into practical skills, with workshops on hardware hacking and electronic circuit soldering. For many, the day's highlight was the capture the flag competition, where advanced cybersecurity professionals tested their skills in a friendly competition, racing to solve challenges spanning reverse engineering, web application security, cryptography, network security, and digital forensics.
Participants were also introduced to Canisius' state-of-the-art cybersecurity lab. The facility, which supports the university's graduate cybersecurity program, provided attendees with a glimpse into the real-world training environment where the next generation of cybersecurity professionals develops their skills. The conference also showcased Canisius' broader data-focused graduate offerings, with representatives from the MS in cybersecurity, data analytics, and business analytics programs engaging with attendees throughout the day.
The event reflects BSides' mission as a global non-profit organization that has been advancing information security knowledge through events, conferences, and seminars worldwide since 2009, with events taking place in over 50 cities across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.
"Buffalo's cybersecurity community is growing stronger every year, and it's exciting to see how events like this help connect people and build the relationships that make our region's tech scene thrive," added Gracie.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
