Our security experts went behind the scenes at one of the cybersecurity industry's largest events this year, helping over 20,000 attendees have a seamless experience and engaging face-to-face with security experts nationwide.

Maxine Franks, Victoria Kirchenberger, and Magdalene Tamakloe from the information security office (ISO), along with Alan Reisenauer from the student life technology team, attended this year's Black Hat USA, an internationally recognized cybersecurity event that demonstrates cutting-edge developments in the world of information security.

They joined as part of the event's Conference Associate Program. This volunteering program allows those passionate about information security to help set up and break down operations, network with industry professionals, and strengthen their cybersecurity knowledge.

Navigating New Tech and Building Connections
As conference associates, the team attended dozens of training sessions, briefings, and presentations from security experts from leading technology companies such as Adobe and Nvidia. These conference events act as resources that the team can later reflect upon and apply to their work on campus.

“Having access to the recordings of the briefings, where I can sit down and watch them at a later time, is invaluable,” explained Franks, information security analyst for UNLV’s Information Technology (IT) team. “The sessions this year cover a range of information from using artificial intelligence in presentations to exploiting large language models, which can benefit the work we do at UNLV.”

While this isn’t the team’s first time attending Black Hat, the conference hosts new presenters and events each year. This allows the volunteers to stay up to date on the latest research in trending technologies, ranging from developments in electric vehicles to artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

“Having served as a floor monitor last year gave me a solid understanding of how the conference operates, and made it much easier to navigate the event, answer attendee questions, and point people in the right direction,” said Kirchenberger, ISO’s lead student analyst pursuing her master’s degree in cybersecurity. “Being a part of the briefing rooms this year allowed me to engage more closely with attendees, ask questions, and learn from both technical and non-technical perspectives.”

According to Franks and Kirchenberger, another major benefit of volunteering for Black Hat is the chance to network with professionals from various IT backgrounds. From fellow volunteers to company founders, the team was able to meet and build strong connections with those a part of the conference.

“I especially enjoy networking with the other conference associates,” says Franks. “Learning about their IT paths helps me be better equipped with tools to help our students and know of possible job opportunities open for them.”

Paving the Way for New Opportunities
Kirchenberger's previous experience at Black Hat sparked her interest in volunteering for other cybersecurity organizations that also have their annual conferences this year. One of these was The Diana Initiative, an organization that helps create a more inclusive information security industry.

“I first heard about The Diana Initiative at Black Hat last year when I visited their booth. When I found out they would be hosting their conference on UNLV’s campus this year, I knew I had to get involved,” said Kirchenberger.

At the conference, Kirchenberger learned new technical skills and collaborated with industry experts, long-time hobbyists, and fellow students. Her involvement also attracted interest in UNLV’s role in cybersecurity. Kirchenberger explained that this volunteering opportunity opened the door to building collaborative relationships, sharing knowledge, and showcasing the exciting opportunities on campus.

“Overall, this year’s experience was both educational and rewarding,” Kirchenberger said. “It deepened my knowledge of emerging security topics, gave me the chance to contribute in a meaningful way, and reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in cybersecurity.”