My WiCyS 2025 Experience

By: Brenda Leyva

I had the opportunity to attend WiCyS 2025 in Dallas this year, and it reminded me why I enjoy being part of the cybersecurity community! Here are the deets.

You could tell right away that everyone was genuinely excited to be there. There were students, professionals, and recruiters all in the same space. There was an opportunity to go to company/social circles! The companies were Google, Walmart, and many more. The networking at the conference felt so natural because people weren’t trying to impress each other. There was also an opportunity to sign up for the cyber-scape room from Day 1 to 4. Lastly, there were photo booths all around the conference center.

I didn’t go to every single workshop, but the ones I did attend were super hands-on and helpful. One of them was on web app hacking, and another focused on how AI can be used securely in design. I also spent some time at the Capture the Flag (CTF) station. The station was well organized, with coaches available to mentor students and professionals throughout the competition.

A moment that really stood out was during the Affiliate Leadership Awards. The WiCyS Chicago Affiliate, which I'm a part of as a board member, received an award. As an affiliate, we put in a lot of work to support our Chicago community, and seeing that recognized in front of such a big crowd was a proud moment.

WiCyS Chicago Affiliate Award

shot by: Uljana Sejko

There were also more laid-back parts of the conference that I really enjoyed. Whether it was the student chapter meetup, chatting with someone while waiting in line, or attending one of the socials, those moments helped me feel even more connected.

I also appreciated how some talks focused on the human side of cybersecurity. There were sessions about burnout, work-life balance, and what it’s like to be the only woman on a team. It made the space feel more supportive towards one another. I didn’t expect those conversations, but I’m glad they were part of the experience.

By the end of the conference, I aim to continue mentoring and advocating for students/professionals who want to break into cybersecurity. Being around so many people with different backgrounds but shared goals reminded me that I’m not alone in this field. It’s easy to get caught up in school or job searching, but WiCyS helped me zoom out and see the bigger picture. It’s about building a better, more inclusive tech space together.

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