Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Chile’s longest-running dedicated technical information security conference, now in its sixteenth year
- Designed for security practitioners, engineers, system administrators and executive security leadership including CISOs, CTOs and CIOs
- Peer-reviewed presentations selected through a rigorous call for papers process overseen by an academic committee
- Technical depth prioritised over commercial content, distinguishing the event from vendor-driven conferences
Introduction
Information security professionals in Latin America have relatively few opportunities to engage with deeply technical content outside of vendor-sponsored events. This Chilean conference has carved out a distinctive position over sixteen years by maintaining an uncompromising focus on technical rigour, attracting security researchers, practitioners and leadership from across the region and beyond. The event serves as both a knowledge-sharing platform and a community-building exercise for those working at the operational and strategic edges of cybersecurity.
About This Event
Established as Chile’s only fully technical information security conference, this event has grown into one of South America’s most respected gatherings for cybersecurity professionals. Over its sixteen-year history, the conference has hosted more than 550 speakers from around the world and welcomed over 27,000 attendees. These figures reflect sustained interest from a community that values substantive technical discourse over marketing presentations.
The organisers have deliberately positioned the conference as an alternative to commercially driven events. Rather than featuring product demonstrations or sponsored keynotes, the programme centres entirely on technical research and practical security knowledge. This approach has helped establish the event as a trusted venue where practitioners can engage with cutting-edge research and share operational insights without filtering for commercial interests.
A Rigorous Peer-Review Selection Process
Central to the conference’s reputation is its strict call for papers process. Researchers submit their work for evaluation by an academic committee comprising recognised security researchers and academics holding doctoral qualifications. This peer-review approach ensures that presentations meet a high standard of technical merit and originality before being accepted into the programme.
The selection methodology mirrors practices found at established academic security conferences, lending credibility to the research presented. For speakers, acceptance represents meaningful validation of their work. For attendees, it provides assurance that sessions will deliver genuine technical insight rather than thinly veiled product pitches.
Technical Depth in a Regional Context
The Latin American cybersecurity landscape presents distinct challenges. Organisations across the region face the same threat actors and attack methodologies as their counterparts elsewhere, yet often operate with different resource constraints, regulatory frameworks and talent availability. A conference that prioritises technical content over commercial messaging provides particular value in this context, enabling practitioners to focus on defensive techniques, vulnerability research and security architecture without navigating vendor agendas.
By drawing speakers from around the world while maintaining its base in Chile, the conference bridges international research communities with regional practitioners. This exchange benefits both groups: global researchers gain exposure to Latin American security challenges, while local professionals access research that might otherwise require travel to conferences in North America or Europe.
Who Should Attend
The conference targets professionals who work directly with security technologies and those responsible for directing security programmes. Security engineers and system administrators will find technical sessions relevant to their daily operational responsibilities. Consultants and auditors can expect content that informs assessment methodologies and deepens understanding of current attack surfaces.
Executive security leadership, including Chief Information Security Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Chief Information Officers and Chief Security Officers, will benefit from exposure to emerging threats and defensive approaches. Understanding technical developments at this level supports more informed strategic decision-making and helps bridge communication gaps between security teams and broader organisational leadership.
The event also serves those transitioning into security roles or seeking to deepen their technical foundations. Exposure to peer-reviewed research and interaction with experienced practitioners offers learning opportunities that complement formal training and certification programmes.
Community and Culture
Beyond its technical programme, the conference has cultivated a distinctive atmosphere that incorporates pop culture references and visual creativity. This approach reflects the broader hacker community’s tradition of blending serious technical work with irreverent presentation styles. The result is an environment that feels accessible and engaging rather than sterile or corporate.
Community building remains an explicit goal. The organisers recognise that lasting professional relationships and informal knowledge exchange often prove as valuable as formal presentations. By fostering a welcoming environment, the conference encourages the kind of open discussion that advances collective understanding of security challenges.
Conclusion
For security professionals seeking substantive technical content in a Latin American setting, this conference offers a rare combination of academic rigour, practitioner focus and community spirit. Its sixteen-year track record demonstrates sustained commitment to principles that distinguish it from the crowded landscape of commercial security events. Those who prioritise depth over breadth in their professional development will find the investment worthwhile.