BSides Ottawa Villages
Every year, the amazing folks at BSides Ottawa put together a wide variety of featured events, including our famous Capture-the-Flag (CTF), various dynamic villages, and other interactive features, such as career fairs, escape rooms, and tabletop exercises. Below, you can learn about some of the featured events we’ve hosted at BSides Ottawa in the past, made possible by volunteers and our generous sponsors.
Interested in volunteering? Check out our CFV Want to be a Feature Sponsor? Take a look at our Feature Sponsorship Packages while they’re still up for grabs.

Lockpick Village
Presented by TOOOL Ottawa
Lockpick Village gives keyless entry a different meaning…
New or experienced, come learn how lock picking works, and try it yourself on a variety of practice locks leading to progressively more challenging locks. TOOOL Ottawa reminds everyone to never pick a lock you do not have permission to open, and never pick a lock you depend on. This village has plenty of locks, cuffs and challenges to satisfy your curiosity so you need not be tempted to practice on your own door locks, with friendly people nearby to help and encourage you.
Lock picking is a rewarding experience and in under and hour many people are able to master the techniques and get the thrill of opening some of the most common padlocks available. Other hands on training will include lock pinning, handcuffs and bypass tools.
Embedded Systems Village


Defenders’ Village
Step into the world of cyber resilience at the Defenders’ Village, where your expertise in detection, investigation, and response is key. This immersive experience is designed to challenge your ability to uncover hidden threats, analyze complex incidents, and piece together the story behind cyber intrusions. You’ll work alongside like-minded professionals, applying cutting-edge techniques in digital forensics and incident response to real-world scenarios. Whether you’re experienced in blue teaming or eager to enhance your skills, the Defenders’ Village offers a hands-on environment where your investigative instincts and analytical prowess will shine.
Policy Village


Malware Village
Malware Village is dedicated to providing a safe and engaging environment for participants to learn and share knowledge about malware analysis. Our mission is to equip attendees with the skills, techniques, and historical context needed to understand, research, and combat malware. Participants will gain hands-on experience with real-world analysis techniques, guided by seasoned infosec professionals. Beyond technical training, Malware Village fosters a strong community where researchers, enthusiasts, and professionals can connect. We welcome everyone—whether you’re an artist creating malware-inspired art, a hardware researcher discovering unexpected connections to malware analysis, or a seasoned analyst reminiscing about early malware history. Even children can explore malware through Malmons (Malware Monsters), making cybersecurity education more accessible. At its core, Malware Village is about uniting people—newcomers and experts alike—with a shared mission: understanding, analyzing, and defending against malware to protect society.
Career Village


Cybersecurity Escape Room
Capture the Flag


Interactive Tabletop
Test your resilience and strategic thinking with our immersive Tabletop Exercises, designed to challenge both technical and leadership skills in real-world cyber crisis scenarios.
