BSidesSF is a security event that would not be possible without the work of our local community. Every year, the organizers work hard to build a fun and exciting agenda so you can experience the latest in cool security happenings. However, we rely on contributions from volunteers like you to help with various tasks leading up to and on the two days of the event. Join us!

tl;dr

To volunteer for BSidesSF 2026, create an account at bsidessf2026.volunteerlocal.com and then sign in to view available shifts

Make sure that you’ve used a valid email and that you’ve created an account in https://bsidessf.slack.com so that we can contact you. Use this link to sign up if you don’t already have an account on Slack. Shift sign ups without a valid email and Slack handle are subject to removal.

To qualify for free entry, you will need at least 8 hours of registered shift time.

Roles

Volunteer roles are divided up into the following jobs. See Volunteer Local for the full description, ability requirements, and sign up links for interviews

Attendee Facing

You will be the “face” of BSidesSF for all attendees. Your goal is to make a positive, welcoming impression for all attendees and visitors. You might also be pulled to hype the crowd during our event raffle.

Behind The Scenes

You keep things running behinds the scenes, setting up and tearing down key parts of the event, keeping counts and inventory organized, and making sure everyone has what they need for an awesome show.

We are looking for high-energy connectors to guide our designated networking blocks. Your goal is to make sure attendees feel welcomed, energized, and ready to collaborate.

Program Operations

You are the glue that keeps the schedule on track and the speakers happy. Whether you are stationed at the welcome desk or the operations HQ, you are responsible for the flow of information and people.

We are looking for enthusiastic Volunteers to be the “Face of the Room” at BSidesSF! As a Room Facilitator, you own the stage. You play a crucial role in the smooth running of the conference, ensuring a professional and memorable experience for both speakers and attendees.

Safety Ops

Safety Ops is the group at the con which helps to ensure the protection of our attendees, speakers and guests against threats to their well being and to the con. Some examples are: ombudspersons, safety monitors, crowd control and sometimes security guards. Safety Ops is not EMS, law enforcement, or fire although we support and extend their reach.

This role will involve documenting the BSidesSF experience on social media, as well as talk with attendees about their experiences at BSidesSF.

Are you organized, calm under pressure, and great with people? The Speaker Liaison is the VIP concierge for our presenters. You are the high-trust support system that guides speakers from the green room to the stage, ensuring they feel prepared and supported.

Village Support

Are you a “people person” with high energy? This pool is for volunteers who want to be out on the floor, engaging with attendees, and setting the vibe. Whether you are welcoming people to the Career Village, keeping the Lockpicking Village stocked, or sparking conversations, you are responsible for making sure attendees feel connected and included.

Volunteer Operations

Volunteer Ops involves being a jack of all trades for volunteer roles. Most of the time, you will be filling in for surges in volunteer needs at the various stations. Other times, you’ll work closely with volunteer operations staff to do specific tasks to keep volunteer operations running. This roles requires a good deal of flexibility and a willingness to dive into problems head first.

Workshops are where hands-on learning happens! We need proactive volunteers to own the full lifecycle of these longer sessions. You will ensure the instructor has what they need and that attendees are settled and ready to learn.

FAQ

What’s in it for me?

Volunteering is a great way to get involved with the local security community, especially if you are a newcomer. It’s also a good chance to meet other security-minded people while picking up various skills along the way. All volunteers must work for a minimum of 8 hours and will get a free BSidesSF t-shirt + badge as part of their volunteer admission. This means you can attend talks during the times that you are not volunteering.

What type of volunteers are you looking for?

Anyone and everyone! No two volunteers are alike so we aim to provide opportunities for all personality types and skill sets. Take a look at our role descriptions below for a better idea of which opportunities might be right for you.

At the same time, we realize that not every role will be suitable for every volunteer. For each role, we will mention possible gotchas in order to provide an inclusive experience for all our volunteers. Some examples of classifications include:

Roles that require lots of interactions with people
Roles that may have high noise/sensory effects
Roles that require mobility
Roles that may require excessive standing
Roles that require strength/lifting

We will also clearly highlight accessibility features within the venue for those who require it. And as always, we are open to feedback! Please let us know in your request to volunteer or by emailing volunteer@bsidessf.org, and we will work to provide any possible accommodations.

What tasks need to be done?

Check out our available Roles options for a quick summary of the various kinds of roles. For a full description, see bsidessf2026.volunteerlocal.com.

What if I don’t know how to do any of these?

Our volunteer leads will train you for the specific tasks you sign up for, and there will also be volunteer Q&A sessions prior to the event. Please try to make time to be available on Friday, March 20th, 2026 at 12PM-1PM or 6-7PM for training and Q&A.

What if there are specific talks I want to go to?

We understand that our volunteers may want to attend specific talks, whether it’s an interesting topic or just to show support for a friend or coworker. Share your preferences with your volunteer lead and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Can you provide proof of my volunteer hours?

Absolutely! Reach out to volunteer@bsidessf.org after the conference and we will provide the necessary documentation. Note that you will be responsible for checking in and checking out with BSidesSF Event Volunteer registration to keep your hours accurate.

Do you work with Benevity, etc. to facilitate donations based on matching volunteer hours?

If your employer offers a charitable giving program, they can donate money to BSidesSF based on your volunteer hours. Reach out to your company’s HR team for more information.

BSidesSF is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, so if you like the work we do, we would really appreciate your employer’s donation!

What if I have further questions?

Please reach out to volunteer [at] bsidessf.org, or the #volunteers channel