BLUF

  • Be Respectful: We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience and have zero tolerance for harassment, abuse, or intimidation of any kind.
  • Everyone, Everywhere: These rules apply to all participants in both physical venues and digital spaces.
  • Hack Challenges, Not Stuff: “Hack the challenges, not the venue.” Unauthorized tampering with stuff is strictly prohibited.
  • Consequences: Violations can result in warnings, immediate expulsion without refund, and/or permanent bans.
  • Report Issues: If you need help, find a uniformed Safety Ops or Staff member or email incident@bsidessf.org immediately.

Our Philosophy

We want BSidesSF to be an inspiring, educational, and growing experience for everyone. We are fully dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference for every single person who attends. We expect all event participants to agree to follow this code of conduct.

We know that our community runs on curiosity and a little bit of mischief. We love that, and we encourage spirited debate and the open sharing of ideas. However, there is a big difference between intellectual freedom and personal abuse. We ask that you respect the boundaries—both physical and digital—of our spaces and our guests.

Who and Where

This code is for everyone participating in our event. It applies to all participants—attendees, speakers, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and staff.

We expect the same standard of behavior in both:

  • Physical Spaces: The convention floor, presentation rooms, social areas, and other conference facilities.
  • Digital Spaces: Our website, official chat channels, and social media platforms.

A Safe and Respectful Environment

We have zero tolerance for harassment. We are committed to making this a safe experience for everyone, irrespective of gender, identity, sexuality, ethnicity, disability, appearance, race, age, nationality, religion, and so on.

To keep this environment safe and respectful, we have chosen to provide examples of both acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Acceptable Behavior is respectful and promotes the goals of the conference:

As an event organizer, we expect everyone to be professional and respectful to others at all times. Everyone should be aware of the impact their behavior can have on others. We ask that you:

  • Respect your fellow participants, venue, the staff, and any equipment you may be allowed to use.
  • Be courteous and well-mannered when speaking to someone or engaging with them.
  • Treat people the same way you would like to be treated.
  • Respect someone’s personal space and body – when someone says no, it is no, not a maybe.

Unacceptable behavior is offensive in nature – it disturbs, upsets, or threatens:

  • Derogatory, inflammatory, or discriminatory language, comments, or conduct.
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following.
  • Taking photos or recording people against their wishes (violating the Photo, Video, and Recording Policy).
  • Sustained disruption or “heckling” of talks and events.
  • Inappropriate physical contact, attire, or unwelcome sexual attention.
  • Intentional misuse of preferred pronouns.
  • Encouraging others to do any of the above.

Respecting the Infrastructure

We live by the motto: “Hack the challenges, not the venue”.

Please do not interfere with, tamper with, or hack the property of the venue, BSidesSF, or the devices of other participants without their explicit consent. Unauthorized access is a serious violation that can result in immediate expulsion and more.

Health and Wellness

BSidesSF is committed to the well-being of all participants.

To ensure we are fostering a safe environment, we kindly request that if you are feeling unwell, experiencing symptoms of illness, or have recently been exposed to a contagious disease, that you stay home until you’re fully recovered.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in ensuring a healthy experience for all.

Risks

There are risks involved in any event. By attending BSidesSF, you assume all risks incidental to the event and release BSidesSF and its respective staff and affiliates from all claims related to or arising out of the event or your presence at the event. In other words, you, your heirs, assigns, successors, personal representatives, and executors will not make a claim against, sue, or attach the property of BSidesSF or any BSidesSF director, officer, or volunteer for injury or damages arising out of or in connection to your participation in this event. Your badge/access is a revocable license to enter the event. If you do not comply with all applicable policies of the event, we reserve the right, without providing a refund (if applicable), to refuse entry or eject you (or any other intermediate step, such as muting or banning, as applicable).

If Things Go Wrong

If you are asked to stop a behavior that violates our policies, we expect you to stop immediately.

Note: In our online spaces, we reserve the right to delete content or block users immediately if necessary.

How to Report Unacceptable Behavior

We are here to help. Anyone can report. If you are being harassed, notice someone else being treated poorly, or have any other concerns, please let us know immediately.

  • In-Person: Look for uniformed Safety Ops or Staff personnel. They are trained to handle safety protocols.

  • Online: Email us at incident@bsidessf.org.

We are here to help you feel safe for the duration of the conference.