Certify Together, Rise Forever: Igniting Tampa’s Hacker Community Spirit

Certify Together, Rise Forever: Igniting Tampa’s Hacker Community Spirit by Ryan Lindfield The hacker spirit begins with raw curiosity—no experience, age, or background required, just an inquisitive mindset. After 25 years channeling underground roots into elite certs and skills (Cisco, EC-Council, Fortinet, HP, and more), I’ve trained defenders safeguarding the US military, banks, hospitals, power grids, and water systems and much more. This talk is for everyone in our community: Certifications deliver real-world skills faster than degrees, without the debt—while we rebuild the peer bonds college offers, but keep it fun, authentic, and true to Bsides & DEFCON vibes. I’ll share the playbook: how to earn top certs efficiently, study for the interview that comes after the exam, leverage that discussion to a career, while fostering lasting relationships through shared learning. Let’s turn BSides Tampa energy into a permanent local tribe—supporting cert journeys year-round, mentoring, collaborating, celebrating under Tampa’s sun and palms. All curious minds welcome. Certify together. Rise forever.