What We Learned at BSides Orlando 2026

This weekend, CertLynx had the opportunity to join the cybersecurity community at BSides Orlando 2026, where we spent the day in the Career Village meeting attendees at different stages of their careers.

We came to introduce people to CertLynx, but some of the most valuable parts of the day were the conversations we had and what we learned from them.

We spoke with people working to break into cybersecurity for the first time, professionals considering a career pivot, people pursuing certifications to strengthen their skills, and experienced cybersecurity professionals willing to share what they've learned along the way.

There were conversations about certifications, study strategies, career paths, finding the right people to learn from, and the challenges that come with trying to figure out what your next step should be.

For us, those conversations matter.

Listening to the People We're Building For

CertLynx was created around a simple idea: pursuing a professional certification shouldn't have to be an isolated experience.

At BSides Orlando, we had the chance to hear directly from people navigating many of the situations we're trying to support.

Some are studying for cybersecurity and IT certifications. Some are trying to determine which certification makes sense for where they want to go next. Others are entering cybersecurity from entirely different industries and trying to build both their knowledge and their professional networks.

Those conversations gave us an opportunity to listen, not just talk about what we've already built.

We heard more about what people need while preparing for certifications, the questions they have when navigating a career transition, and the importance of being able to connect with people who have already traveled a similar path.

That feedback will help us continue thinking about how CertLynx can better support people throughout that process.

Certifications Are Only Part of the Journey

One thing that stood out throughout the day was how interconnected certification preparation and career development can be.

Passing an exam may be the immediate goal, but behind that goal is often something bigger: landing a first cybersecurity role, moving into a new specialty, qualifying for a different opportunity, building confidence in a new skill set, or changing careers altogether.

That is part of why community matters.

Study partners can help you stay accountable. Someone who recently earned the certification you're pursuing may be able to share perspective. An experienced professional can help you better understand how a credential fits into the actual industry.

Events like BSides Orlando bring all of those people into the same space.

A Day Full of Great Conversations

We had so many great conversations throughout the day with certification candidates, career changers, students, experienced professionals, and others who simply stopped by to learn what CertLynx is about.

We're grateful to everyone who took a few minutes to talk with us, share feedback, ask questions, or tell us about their own journey.

Those conversations are especially valuable while CertLynx is still growing. They help us better understand the people we're building for and where we have opportunities to make the community more useful.

And to the BSides Orlando team: Thank You.

Thank you for creating a space where people at different stages of their cybersecurity careers could learn, connect, ask questions, and meet others in the industry. We appreciated the opportunity to be part of the Career Village and to experience the community you've built around the event.

We left with new connections, new ideas, and an even better understanding of how CertLynx can support people pursuing certifications and building what's next in their careers.

We're looking forward to continuing those conversations.