Revealing Secrets: Code.gov at BSides NoVA at the Washington Masonic Temple
On a chilly morning in March, Code.gov director Joe Castle and Communications Chief Tee Morris were granted access to a rarely seen section of the George Washington Masonic Temple of Alexandria, Virginia. Behind the open museum and memorial to America’s first president, there is a series of rooms ranging in size from an incredible ballroom to small theatres complete with secret passages leading from one auditorium to another. No, Code.gov was not sent to the Masonic Temple to find out where the “National Treasure” was hidden. They were, in fact, part of BSides NoVA, a cybersecurity event inviting all the brightest minds and voices to speak about the best ways to remain secure online.
BSidesNoVA is one of many world-wide events called Security BSides, founded as accessible conventions dedicated to discussions, demos, and interaction from participants concerning cybersecurity methods and methodology. The day-long event in Alexandria hosted panel talks, civic hacking activities, and workshops encouraging innovation and solutions. This 100% volunteer-run conference reached out to Code.gov and offered an opportunity for Code.gov to appear.
Where we found ourselves at BSides NoVA was between two auditoriums hosting presentation tracks. The foot traffic would pass between theatres, and Code.gov was in between, ready to answer questions. The morning started with our table hosted by Joe Castle while the evening concluded with Tee Morris, and throughout the day questions came fast and hard from the attendees of BSides. Perhaps the Top 3 questions of the day were:
- What do you do at Code.gov?
- What is the Source Code Policy?
- How can I become involved?
The day seemed to blink by on account of the many questions Code.gov fielded throughout the day. BSides attendees were a mix of government and private sector developers, students looking for internships, and developers searching for employment opportunities and resume workshops. What attendees all shared in common was a shared curiosity over Code.gov. The deeper we took people into what we do at Code.gov, the more questions we were asked. By the end of BSides, developers and cybersecurity enthusiasts were educated on the Federal Source Code Policy, on open source in the federal government, and how they all can take part in performing a civic duty on our own digital platform.
As our first event of 2019, BSides NoVA proved itself to be a terrific way to step into the public eye. The unsung hero of the event, however, was the location of the event. Between secret passages, incredible architecture, and (many) statues of George Washington, the Washington Masonic Temple offered attendees a terrific setting for online security. Perhaps one thing the Freemasons share in common with software development is the desire to keep things private. At BSides, that passion for online security was celebrated. For Code.gov, this event was an opportunity for engagement, something we always are happy to nurture. Engagement is not just limited to live appearances. We welcome your questions and comments online, so make sure to visit us on Twitter or LinkedIn and share with us what’s on your mind. We look forward to answering whatever questions you may have for us; and to offer you a chance to make a difference, to innovate, and to create.
Code on.
