📢 Call for Papers deadline: September 15, 2026
Last verified: July 29, 2026 · how we verify
Information aggregated automatically. Verify all dates, locations, and pricing on the official conference website before making arrangements.
BSides Bloomington is a community-driven cybersecurity conference held across two days in Bloomington, Indiana, part of the international Security BSides network of independently organised, practitioner-led security events. The 2026 edition carries a pointed theme: "Insert Coin to Opt Out", framing the programme around reclaiming individual autonomy in an increasingly monitored digital environment. That framing draws the conference toward questions that mainstream security events often treat as peripheral — privacy-preserving technology, decentralisation, and the practical mechanics of digital self-determination. Content spans original technical research, privacy advocacy, offensive and defensive security practice, artificial intelligence security, and human-centred approaches to security design. Organisers actively encourage submissions from first-time speakers, independent researchers and professionals at every experience level, keeping the speaker pool broader than credential-driven conferences typically manage. The university-town setting and community organisation keep costs low relative to commercial security conferences. For security practitioners, privacy researchers and students across Indiana and the surrounding region, BSides Bloomington offers substantive technical content and an unusually values-driven programme.
BSides Bloomington 2026 takes place October 2–3, 2026 in Bloomington, United States.
BSides Bloomington 2026 is an in-person event.
The Call for Papers is open — submissions close on September 15, 2026.
Travel questions? See Good to know in the travel guide below.
Bloomington in early October sits in the middle of southern Indiana's autumn, with hardwood forests turning colour across the surrounding hills. The city is defined by Indiana University, whose limestone campus dominates the centre and supplies much of the local security and research community. Kirkwood Avenue runs from campus into a small downtown of independent restaurants, which is where most conference conversations continue after hours.
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is the practical gateway, about an hour's drive north on State Road 37. Scheduled shuttle services run between the airport and Bloomington several times daily and should be booked ahead. Rental cars are widely used given the distance. Louisville (SDF) and Cincinnati (CVG) are alternatives at roughly two hours. Within Bloomington, the campus and downtown are walkable.
Skip the taxi queue — pre-book a fixed-price airport transfer with Kiwitaxi. Exploring beyond the city? compare rental cars on EconomyBookings.
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Coverage is solid in Bloomington itself, though it thins across the rural counties nearby. An eSIM arranged before arrival avoids hunting for a carrier store on a weekend. Set up an eSIM with Airalo before you board and you're online the moment you land.
Indiana University campus and Sample Gates. The limestone core of the campus is genuinely handsome, and the Sample Gates at the end of Kirkwood Avenue mark the traditional entrance. A self-guided walk of an hour covers the older quadrangles. October foliage along the Jordan River path through campus is the main reason to go in this season.
Eskenazi Museum of Art. A free university museum in an I. M. Pei building on campus, holding a broad collection from ancient to modern. Ninety minutes suits a general visit. Its proximity to the conference area makes it an easy gap-filler between sessions rather than a dedicated excursion.
Brown County State Park. Indiana's largest state park lies about half an hour east and is at peak colour in mid-October. Trails range from short loops to several hours, and the ridge road offers viewpoints for those with limited time. A car is required. Weekends draw heavy leaf-season traffic, so early starts help.
Oliver Winery and the Limestone quarries. Oliver Winery sits fifteen minutes north with tasting rooms and grounds suited to an afternoon. The abandoned limestone quarries around Bloomington shaped the region's building stone trade and appear in local history exhibits. Access to individual quarries varies, so stick to sanctioned viewing points and organised tours.
Which airport should I fly into?
Indianapolis (IND) is the closest practical option, roughly an hour's drive away, with scheduled shuttles into Bloomington.
Do I need a car in Bloomington?
Not for campus and downtown, which are walkable. A car is necessary for Brown County State Park or anything outside the city.
What is the weather like in early October?
Cool autumn days, often pleasant, with chilly mornings and evenings. Rain is possible, and layers work well.
Travel notes written for BSides Bloomington 2026 attendees. Links marked above are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Verify schedules and opening hours on official websites before you travel.
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