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Speaker at Bsides Kochi, BIOS meetup, SlashN and various other conferences.

Aden is a Lead Penetration Tester at BAE Systems DI based in Malaysia, with over 10 years of experience in offensive security. He has successfully led red teaming and advanced penetration testing engagements across multiple industries worldwide, uncovering critical vulnerabilities in both applications and infrastructure. Beyond client work, he actively contributes to bug bounty and vulnerability disclosure programs. His research has led to the discovery of multiple internet-exposed vulnerabilities, earning him 18 CVE IDs to date. He has previously shared his work at ROOTCON, BSides, Nanosec, and RedTeam Hacker Academy conferences.

Alfonso De Gregorio is a globally recognised cybersecurity technologist, award-winning research artist, and strategic policy advisor. He has spoken at 25+ peer-reviewed int'l events across 5 continents, such as NATO Conference on Cyber Conflict, RSAC, and the leading hacker events. High-performance organisations engage him to spearhead relentless innovation across disciplines and fields, accelerate asymmetric advantage, and achieve peak confidence in today's interconnected operational environment—establishing Alfonso as a key figure shaping the discussion and practice of cybersecurity.Today he is Founding Director and Principal Investigator at Pwnshow, an interdisciplinary research agency investigating critical cybersecurity challenges at the complex technology-society nexus; CEO at Zeronomicon, a premium zero-day vulnerability acquisition platform; and, Member of the ETSI TC SAI (Securing AI), where he works towards ensuring the technical standards underpinning the EU AI Act are practical, effective, and innovation-friendly. At the forefront of the AI governance debate, his current work focuses on the dual-use dilemma of open-weight AI and how the proliferation of powerful models impacts the cyber threat landscape. Active in the legislative and standardization trenches as much as at the terminal prompt, he provided expert technical consultation to the European Commission regarding the EU AI Act. He successfully advocated for the "substantial modification" clauses in the GPAI Code of Practice, protecting open model developers from undue liability.

Alon Friedman is a Principal Security Architect at Microsoft 365 Defender, with extensive experience in application security and penetration testing. He focuses on defining application security standards and researching threat landscapes. His background includes leading secure software development at Salesforce and managing application vulnerabilities at PayPal. Alon is a recognized researcher, credited with CVE-2014-4246 and the creation of the SCIP OWASP ZAP extension

I have spoken at multiple international cybersecurity conferences and platforms, addressing both deeply technical audiences and early-career practitioners, with topics spanning AI security, detection engineering, and modern SOC evolution. At NDC Security 2026 Oslo, I shall deliver “Who Gave the Agent Admin Rights?! Securing Cloud & AI Machine Identities”, where I'll examine non-human identities, AI agents, and the emerging risks of autonomous privilege, focusing on governance, detection, and containment strategies in cloud environments. At BSides Pittsburgh and BSides Krakow, as well as at the Silicon Saxony Day (19th edition), I presented “Enhancing Open-Source IDS & SIEM Solutions into AI-Enabled XDR & SOAR Solutions in Cloud Environments”, focusing on extending open-source detection stacks with automation, ML-driven enrichment, and response orchestration to build scalable, analyst-effective security operations. In contrast, my session at BSides Buffalo, “From Curiosity to Cybersecurity: A Practical Guide to Getting Started and Standing Out”, was designed for students and early professionals, offering actionable guidance on skill-building, differentiation, and navigating cybersecurity careers. Beyond conferences, I have appeared on the Distilled Security Podcast, where I discussed how deploying specialised, small language models locally can significantly improve efficiency, reduce operational friction, and make AI-assisted security workflows more practical and trustworthy.

Dave has 30 years of industry experience. He has extensive experience in IT security operations and management. Dave is the Global Advisory CISO for 1Password. He is the founder of the security site Liquidmatrix Security Digest & podcast. Dave also hosts the Chasing Entropy Podcast. He was a member of the board of directors for BSides Las Vegas for 8 years. He currently serves on the advisory boards of Byos.io and Knostic.ai. Dave has previously worked in critical infrastructure for 9 years as well as for companies such as Duo Security, Akamai, Cisco, AMD and IBM. Previously he served on the board of directors for (ISC)2 as well as being a founder of the BSides Toronto conference. Dave was a DEF CON speaker operations goon for 13 years. Lewis also serves on the advisory boards for the Black Hat Sector Security Conference in Canada, and the CFP review board for 44CON in the UK. Dave has previously written columns for Forbes, CSO Online, Huffington Post, The Daily Swig and others. For fun he is a curator of small mammals (his kids) plays bass guitar, grills, is part owner of a whisky distillery and a soccer team.

He focuses on Java security and AI security. His work has helped many high-profile vendors, including Google, Amazon, Cloudera, IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle. He has presented at Black Hat Europe 2024, Zer0Con 2025, Off-by-One Con 2025, Black Hat USA 2025, DEFCON 33, and Zer0Con 2026.

Johann Rehberger has over twenty years of experience in threat modeling, risk management, penetration testing, and red teaming. During his tenure at Microsoft, Johann established a Red Team within Azure Data and led the program as Principal Security Engineering Manager. He went on to build a Red Team at Uber, and currently serves as Red Team Director at Electronic Arts. In addition to his industry roles, Johann is an active security researcher and a former instructor in ethical hacking at the University of Washington. Johann contributed to the MITRE ATT&CK and ATLAS frameworks and is the author of "Cybersecurity Attacks - Red Team Strategies". He holds a master's degree in computer security from the University of Liverpool. You can find his latest research at embracethered.com.

BSides BarodaBSides MumbaiMitre APACBluehat IndiaVulnconIdentity Shield Summit Cloud identity summit Germany

Khalil is a cybersecurity MSc graduate from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest and currently works as an offensive security engineer. Khalil is also interested in web application security, where he tries to gain new knowledge by playing CTFs and hunting for vulnerabilities on bug bounty platforms.

As we hand more agency to machines, we’re creating identities that can act, but not always be held accountable. I research how to red team and secure autonomous AI systems before that gap becomes systemic risk. My work lives at the intersection of offensive security and the rapid, often untethered growth of artificial intelligence. As an AI/ML Researcher and Red Teamer, I don't just look for bugs; I map the boundaries of autonomous systems to ensure they remain resilient when the unexpected happens. From the intricate layers of LLM pipelines to the hidden vulnerabilities in blockchain and DevSecOps automations, I focus on uncovering risks before they become reality. At DEF CON 33, I had the opportunity to speak on the Policy Track about the legal frameworks for ethical hacking. To me, security is as much about the humans who defend the systems as it is about the code itself. Advocating for global safe harbor standards is a vital part of ensuring that researchers can continue to protect the digital world without fear. I believe that as we hand more agency to machines, our need for intentional, human-centered security only grows. Whether I am simulating a real-world attack on an AI-driven workflow or refining a policy for international safety, my goal is to provide a clean window of clarity in an increasingly complex threat landscape. I am always open to quiet conversations about the offensive side of security, the future of AI resilience, or the ongoing effort of building trust in technology.

I do pentesting, red teaming, and security engineering. In my free time, I focus on vulnerability research in open-source applications and play CTFs. I prefer source code review over black-box testing, though I’m comfortable with both.

Over 14 years of experience in the security domain, specializing in Penetration Testing, Application Security, Cloud Security, Architecture and Forensics Investigation.Leading an Offensive Security (OffSec) and Security Architecture team with a passion for Red Teaming and Security Research.Reported multiple vulnerabilities in products and applications, recognized with CVEsHolds prestigious certifications including GIAC Cloud Penetration Tester (GCPN), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP), Certified Red Team Operator (CRTO), among othersPresented at prominent conferences such as Bsides Budapest, Bsides Milano, Hacktivity, VulnCon 2024, Hacker Halted, CyberSec Asia, Identity Shield, Microsoft BlueHat 2025, PHDays 2025, VulnCon 2025, OWASP AppSec Days 2025, Hacker Halted 2025.

Pallavi is a Cloud Security Manager, overseeing cloud security operations and IAM, with 15 years of experience in cybersecurity. Passionate about application security, she excels in navigating complex security challenges, consistently working to strengthen defenses against emerging threats. With deep expertise in penetration testing, Pallavi focuses on identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening defenses in complex and challenging environments. She has spoken at multiple industry-leading conferences like HackerHalted, Vulncon, Identity Shield and BlueHat and continues sharing her knowledge and expertise in cybersecurity.

Patrick Ventuzelo is a senior security researcher, CEO & founder of Fuzzinglabs. After working for the French Ministry of Defense, he specialized in fuzzing, vulnerability research, and reverse engineering. Over the years, Patrick has created multiple fuzzers, found hundreds of bugs, and published various blog posts/videos/tools on topics like Rust, Go, Blockchain, WebAssembly, and Browser security. Patrick is a regular speaker and trainer at various security conferences around the globe, including BlackHat USA, OffensiveCon, REcon, RingZer0, PoC, ToorCon, hack.lu, NorthSec, SSTIC, and others.

Sr. Security Engineer @ Coupa Software . Passionate Learner for OffSec and Security Engineering. Working collaboratively with Security Operations , Security Engineering & Threat Management @ Coupa Software

Sankar is a cybersecurity professional with over 10 years of experience spanning telecom, healthcare, product development, and banking industries. His expertise lies in vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, red team operations, and mobile application security for Android and iOS platforms. Currently at Aldar, Sankar leads security assessments across multiple organizational entities, helping strengthen enterprise defenses against evolving threats. He has responsibly disclosed critical vulnerabilities in major platforms including Salesforce (CVE-2023-22042) and Oracle, demonstrating his commitment to improving security across the industry. Beyond his professional role, Sankar actively participates in bug bounty programs and CTF competitions, and engages in Web3 security research through platforms like Immunefi. His current focus on AI-powered security automation and autonomous penetration testing frameworks reflects his dedication to advancing offensive security methodologies. Sankar holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Information Security from CDAC and regularly shares his insights through conference talks and technical presentations, contributing to both regional and global cybersecurity communities.

Cybersecurity Enthusiast, CTF Player and Bug Hunter. Contributed to the organization of SECCON CTF, took the stage at AVTOKYO2020/2023/2024, Security Analyst Summit 2024, Hack Fes. 2024, m0leCon 2025, TyphoonCon Seoul 2025, HITCON 2025 and competed in the DEF CON CTF Finals. Renowned for uncovering and reporting vulnerabilities in web services and softwares including Google and Firefox.

I got into cybersecurity the messy, curious way - hacking games as a teenager to get extra coins and superpowers, then later reverse-engineering ransomwares to understand how they worked. That same curiosity and passion led me to a career in offensive cyber security.In the past 5+ years of work experience across India, UAE & USA, I’ve worked on:• Mobile application penetration testing (Android & iOS)• Web application and API penetration testing• Secure code review across C/C++, Python, Java, Golang, JavaScript, Typescript and C# .NET• Custom Signature Code Analysis (Semgrep, YARA & Coverity CodeXM custom checkers)• Adverserial tradecraft and Cyber threat intelligence• Network and infrastructure assessments with Segmentation penetration tests for cloud and on-prem setups• Software Composition Analysis (Coverity, Black Duck, GitHub Advisories, PlexTrac)• Innovative research & automated pentest tools development (AI, OSINT, Python, Bash script)Currently, I work as a Security Researcher at OnDefend, where I help secure user data of a large-scale social media platform & contribute to U.S. national security.🌟 Key Achievements:• Awarded the first-ever “Magical Mention” as an intern at Equinix for uncovering and reporting multiple critical security misconfigurations. Recognized for investigative persistence, curiosity, and successfully improving internal security workflows through proactive analysis and alerting.• Bug Bounty & Hall of Fame mentions: Tesco, IKEA, SecureLayer7 live hacking event, Accenture, Ericsson, Springer Nature, OSIsoft🔍CVE Research:• CVE-2020-11539 : Access control issue in Tata Sonata Smartwatch• CVE-2020-11540 : Access control issue in Tata Sonata Smartwatch• CVE-2020-25498 : Chained CSRF & Stored XSS vulnerabilities in Beetel router• CVE-2020-35262 : Stored XSS vulnerability in Digisol router👾 Outside of work, I’m always exploring new tools, ways to use AI as leverage in security, hacking techniques & trying to level up. I love building my own custom IoT devices as well as hacking them.🧑‍🤝‍🧑As an active member of 'Women in Cybersecurity', 'Women in Security & Privacy' and 'The Diana Initiative' volunteer at Defcon, I’m also passionate about making cyber security more inclusive and human, especially for women and underrepresented voices.

I have spoken in couple of national and international platforms as a guest speaker on SOC, threat hunting, Incident Response , AI security and Phishing Attacks

Tal Melamed is Co-Founder and CTO of Tago AI, a startup delivering runtime access controls for AI agents. With 20 years in cybersecurity, he co-founded CloudEssence, a cloud-native security company acquired by Contrast Security, where he led the Innovation Center. Previously, he headed security research at Protego Labs, acquired by Check Point. Tal mentors and trains cybersecurity professionals and startups, leads OWASP initiatives, and has spoken at leading industry events including BlackHat, DEFCON, and SANS. His career is dedicated to transforming emerging technologies into secure, practical, and innovation-friendly solutions.

For the world is an exciting place, for creating stuff from nothing is challenging, for hacking everything is the way to live, stay hungry, stay curious, and keep hacking. For the world is an exciting place, for creating stuff from nothing is challenging, for hacking everything is the way to live, stay hungry, stay curious, and keep hacking.

Bio: Venkata Kiran Vemula Alli is a seasoned Technology Leader & Architect with 18+ years of experience specializing in Generative AI, Cloud solutions, and Enterprise architecture. Currently serving as Principal Engineer – Systems Architecture at Verizon Communications, he leads the driving innovation in Generative AI, with a focus on building enterprise-grade AI Conversational bots and agents using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), multi-agent systems, and Agentic AI architectures.His work involves leveraging advanced platforms such as Neural Seek, IBM Watson services, and the Google Agentic platform, like VertexAI and discovery engine, enabling the design and deployment of intelligent, domain-specific agents that solve complex business problems. Kiran has a proven track record of architecting scalable, secure solutions across diverse industries, including telecom, retail, finance, and HR. His expertise spans AWS, GCP, and Azure cloud platforms, containerized services with Kubernetes and Docker, and modern development frameworks. He holds a US Patent in Generative AI Innovation and is AWS Certified as both a Cloud Solutions Architect and Cloud Developer.With an MTech in VLSI Design and a BTech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Kiran combines deep technical knowledge with strong leadership skills, successfully managing global cross-functional teams and delivering high-impact projects. His experience ranges from building AI-driven chatbots and computer vision solutions to implementing enterprise-scale microservices architectures and DevOps automation.

Vinod has spent the past decade working in cybersecurity across financial services, government, and tech sectors. Currently a Staff Security Engineer at PIP Labs, he navigates the intersection of traditional enterprise security and the emerging world of Web3 and blockchain infrastructure.His journey has taken him through companies like Amazon, Zapier, and HackerOne, where he's gained hands-on experience in penetration testing, cloud security architecture, and application security. He works with AWS, GCP, and Azure environments, focusing on threat modeling and secure DevOps practices while approaching security as an enabler rather than a blocker.He shares his experiences and lessons learned through writing on Medium, breaking down complex security topics and exploring practical approaches to building security programs that work in real-world environments. Outside of his day job, he participates in bug bounty programs, mentors aspiring security professionals, and continues researching emerging threats and technologies in both traditional and Web3 security landscapes.