SXSW

Making the Most of SXSW as a Security-Minded Attendee

SXSW began as a music festival in Austin and grew into a sprawling conference covering film, interactive media, technology and culture. For people interested in cybersecurity, that breadth is both the appeal and the challenge. Sessions on privacy, artificial intelligence, online identity and digital rights often sit alongside panels about media and design, so it pays to build a schedule in advance rather than wandering from room to room. The official SXSW schedule and app are the best places to check session times, badge requirements and any last-minute changes.

Plan around crowds and logistics

Downtown Austin gets very busy during the festival. Accommodation fills up early, rideshare pickups can be slow, and walking between venues often turns out to be faster than driving. Many attendees rely on public transport, bikes or scooters. Carry a portable charger, keep water with you, and allow extra time between sessions spread across different buildings.

Practise good digital hygiene at large events

Big gatherings attract opportunistic attackers as well as curious technologists. A few habits go a long way:

• Treat open public Wi-Fi with caution and use a trusted VPN or your phone's hotspot for anything sensitive.
• Avoid plugging your devices into unfamiliar USB charging stations; use your own charger and a wall outlet.
• Be wary of QR codes on flyers or stickers, since they can point to phishing pages.
• Turn off Bluetooth and AirDrop-style sharing when you are not using them.
• Enable multi-factor authentication on email and social accounts before you travel.

Our threat feed regularly highlights scams and phishing patterns worth knowing about before you head into a crowded event.

Networking beyond the official programme

Much of the value of SXSW happens outside the conference rooms, at informal meetups, side events and conversations over coffee. If you want to connect with local practitioners, hobbyists and people just starting out in security, keep an eye on our events page and the community section for gatherings that run alongside the festival period. Side events change from year to year, so confirm details close to the date.