This section of the web site provides a list of infosec meetup events that are located in the Northern Virginia (NoVA), Maryland, or Washington, DC areas. If there is any information that should be added or updated, please take a moment to contact us.

The following are some recent posts regarding local security meetups. Look for a complete list of all event-related posts on the NoVA Meetups category page.

CapSecDC: Here’s their description from their site: “Cap Sec DC is a subset of the CitySec movement. We’re a bunch of Information Security professionals in the Washington DC Metropolitan area, who get together about once a month to socialize and have a few drinks. Currently, we’re meeting on the last Wednesday of every month at around 7:00 PM. We are taking a hiatus from the Brickskeller as our bar of choice, and are going to try another venue or two in the warmer months. Sometimes the date varies, so please check back occasionally.” For more information on CitySec, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page. (Twitter: @capsecdc)

DC Organization of Hackers: Similar to the NoVA Hackers Association in Virginia, DC Organization of Hackers (DoH) is attempting to bring the Austin Hackers Association (AHA) model to DC. People discuss current security issues and research to get feedback on early work or to get help. Be ready though … everyone is required to talk for at least 5 minutes on a topic of their choice. This group is one of the newer efforts that started in November 2009.

HacDC: Located in Washington, DC, HacDC is a hacker space for people that want to improve the world by creatively rethinking technology. They “break, build, and occasionally abuse technology in the pursuit of greater knowledge about how it works and repurposing it to build new things.”

HTCIA – DC Chapter: With Jeremy Christianson as president, the HTCIA DC Chapter hosts multiple meetups every month that discuss issues associated with investigations, apprehensions, and methodologies associated with the newest breed of high tech criminals. The HTCIA – DC Chapter also offers periodic training in computer forensics. For more information on HTCIA, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

InfraGard – NCMA Chapter: Creating Critical Resiliency in Metropolitan Washington, DC, the InfraGard – Nations Capital Members Alliance (NCMA) chapter consists of a growing membership of professionals who are creating a more resilient Critical Infrastructure in the Washington, DC metro area. These include defense industrial base, water supply systems, electrical energy, emergency services, law enforcement, health systems, gas and oil, storage and delivery, transportation, banking, and telecommunications. Our membership is voluntary yet exclusive and is comprised of individuals from both the public and private sector. The main goal of the Washington, DC Nations Capital Chapter of InfraGard is to promote ongoing dialogue, education, community outreach and timely communication between public and private members. Furthermore, to achieve and sustain risk-based target levels of capability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from all hazards or events, and to minimize their impact on lives, property, and the economy. Meetings vary but seem to usually be held the first Wednesday of every month. For more information on InfraGard, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

ISACA – NCA Chapter: The ISACA – National Capital Area (NCA) chapter was founded on June 12, 1974 to serve the Washington, DC area. In serving its members, it provides educational seminars and workshops for continuing professional development, networking opportunities at periodic mixers, CISA and CISM review courses, chapter news through newsletters and periodic e-mails, and various online resources. Conferences (a.k.a., meetups) are held monthly during the year, except for July, August and December, on a wide variety of topics of interest but with a strong emphasis on control, audit, and security issues. All chapter meetings are held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in downtown Washington, D.C. Meetings dates vary but seem to usually be held either the third or forth Tuesday of these months. For more information on ISACA, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

ISSA – DC Chapter: This chapter is based in Washington, DC and run by Bob Schlansker. The National Capital Chapter of the ISSA is comprised of information security professionals located in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. Members are actively involved in information security in government agencies, the military, non-profit organizations, and in large and small companies. The chapter holds regular meetings at various locations throughout the D.C. area. Through its meetings and other events, the chapter fosters professional development and support for computer and information security professionals. Membership is open to practicing security professionals or to those with an interest in the profession. New members are always welcome — please feel free to attend one of our open meetings or to contact the chapter for more information. Monthly meetings generally take place on the third Tuesday of every month in the evenings. For more information on ISSA, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

OWASP – DC/MD Local Chapter: The original DC Chapter was founded in June 2004 by Jeff Williams and has had members from Virginia to Delaware. In April 2005 a new chapter, DC-Virginia, was formed and the DC Chapter was renamed to DC-Maryland. The two are sister chapters with common members and shared discourse. The chapters meet in opposite halves of the month to facilitate this relationship. Chapter meetings are held several times a year, typically in the offices of our sponsor. Please subscribe to the mailing list for meeting announcements. Meetings generally take place on the second Thursday of every month. For more information on OWASP, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page. (Twitter: @owaspdc)

2600 Group – Baltimore: This group’s meetings take place at the Barnes & Noble cafe in the Inner Harbor. Just like the Arlington meetup, we assume people congregate around 6pm. 2600 meetings provide a forum to teach, learn, and discuss events in technology-land. Meetings are open to anyone regardless of age or level of expertise. For more information on 2600, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

Baltimore Node: Similar to HacDC, Baltimore Node wants individuals who are interested in creating the following: Code, electronics, microcontrollers, robots, and pretty much anything else that comes to mind. Baltimore Node is currently in the process of creating a hackerspace in Baltimore, MD. (Twitter: @baltimorenode)

CharmSec: Part of the CitySec movement, this is a monthly informal meetup of information security professionals in Baltimore. Unlike other meetups, you aren’t expected to pay dues, “join up”, or present a zero-day exploit to attend. They meet at the Slainte Pub (@slaintepub) in Fells Point and start around 7:00 usually on the last Thursday of the month. The event last until people get tired of hanging out, which seems to be about 3 hours. The atmosphere is pretty laid back. The goal is to just try to get to know the local infosec people. For more information on CitySec, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page. (Twitter: @charmsec)

DojoSec Meetups: Based in Maryland and started by Marcus J. Carey, DojoSec meetups are exclusive Information Assurance events that present what you would find at a multi-day security conference all in one night. Meetups generally include technical demonstrations, expert industry speakers, and food. Meetups are usually held once a month at Capital College. All attendees must register before attending meetups. You can view videos of the DojoSec meetups on their Vimeo channel. (Twitter: @dojosec) [Note: The DojoSec Meetups seem to be on hiatus. We'll continue to keep an eye on them. (5/10/10)]

Infragard – Maryland Member Alliance: InfraGard is a non-profit alliance created with the goal of increasing our Nation’s security through enhanced awareness, communication, and cooperation between the companies and agencies that comprise the critical infrastructure of our country. The Maryland Chapter, started in 1999, now has over 300 registered members, who meet every other month at different venues across the Maryland region. Chapter activity involves presentations, training, and plenty of active discussion. Our entire country benefits indirectly from the InfraGard environment; our members benefit directly via the Chapter programs and other members. The Maryland InfraGard Board works hard to produce the best program available for their chapter, including top-notch speakers from both the public and private sector, specific training, and lively ‘break-out’ discussion. In addition, the unique networking opportunity encourages the correlation and dissemination of security events and best practices. InfraGard is truly member-ran, and everyone is encouraged to actively participate in all aspects, including volunteering for one of our many member-led committees (such as the Web Committee, who maintains this website). Although active in the past it doesn’t seem that they’ve had many consistent meetings since 2006. For more information on InfraGard, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

ISACA – CM Chapter: The ISACA – Central Maryland (CM) chapter is based in Baltimore, MD and run by Wes Lewis. Chapter meetings are usually held nine times per year (no meetings in June, July or August). The meetings are normally held on the second Wednesday of the month at various times (e.g., breakfast, lunch, and dinner meetings). For more information on ISACA, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

ISSA – Baltimore Chapter: This chapter is based in Baltimore, MD and run by William Smith Jr. The primary goal of the Information Systems Security Association, Inc. (ISSA) is to promote management practices that will ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of organizational information resources. Information systems security is an increasingly critical aspect of information systems design and maintenance. Many organizations do not have dedicated information systems and network security personnel they have generalists many of whom are not familiar with information security practices. The ISSA is dedicated to providing resources to such people and organizations, as well as to generally raising the level of security and data privacy consciousness among information systems personnel in all organizations. The Baltimore Chapter is a local resource to be used by members and non-members alike. Chapter meetings are normally held on the fourth Wednesday of every month. For more information on ISSA, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

2600 Group – Arlington: Meetings on the first Friday of the month at Champps Pentagon located in Pentagon Row on the courtyard, 6 pm. 2600 meetings provide a forum to teach, learn, and discuss events in technology-land. Meetings are open to anyone regardless of age or level of expertise. For more information on 2600, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

OWASP – VA Local Chapter: The sister chapter to the DC/MD one. The chapter leader is Jeremy Epstein. Meetings generally take place on the second Thursday of every month. For more information on OWASP, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page. (Twitter: @owaspva)

ISSA – NoVA Chapter: This chapter is based in Reston, VA and run by Marc Noble. It is ISSA’s largest chapter. The ISSA-NOVA chapter meets monthly (except August). The meetings are normally held on the third Thursday of each month, at various NoVA locations. Each ISSA-NOVA Chapter meeting provides the opportunity for networking with other IS professionals in the NoVA area. Networking and refreshments are available at 5:30 PM, and the regular meeting starts at 6:15 PM for Chapter Business, and the speaker(s) presentation begins at 6:30 PM. For more information on ISSA, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

NoVA Hackers Association: Formally the NoVA/DC Luncheon Meetup @mubix has morphed this group into the NoVA Hackers Association and is based on the Austin Hackers Association (AHA) model. This informal group of security professionals from around the NoVA/DC area coordinates two monthly events – a networking luncheon on the last Thursday of the month and an evening meetup with presentations on the second Monday of the month. Check out their Google Group for details on how to become involved, take part in some great discussions, and learn event details.

Meetup Summary

In summary, here is a list of when confirmed local meetings take place. But remember, most of these are volunteer organizations so things tend to fall through the cracks sometimes:

Researching

The following are groups and meetups in that area that we are currently investigating or seem to be inactive. If you have any information about the following groups, we would love for you to drop us a line.

NoVA Sec: “Pure technical gatherings for security professionals in the northern Virginia area. Check your certifications at the door.” This is a local group run by a well known security professional Richard Bejtlich, owner of TaoSecurity. Meetings generally take place on the fourth Thursday of every month.

SecurityGeeks: Run by The Shmoo Group, this organization runs monthly meetings throughout the NoVA area. Back in the early 2000’s they seemed to be active, but we haven’t heard much from them lately. For more information on The Shmoo Group, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

• SecurityGeeks – DC: This is simply a mailing list run by the Shmoo Group. They mention meeting monthly but it seems to be used more just for discussion.
• SecurityGeeks – MD: This is simply a mailing list run by the Shmoo Group. They mention meeting monthly but it seems to be used more just for discussion.

DefCon Groups

• DefCon Groups – Falls Church, VA (DC571): See the DefCon Groups page for contact information.
• DefCon Groups – Arlington, VA (DC703): See the DefCon Groups page for contact information.
• DefCon Groups – Baltimore, MD (DC410): See the DefCon Groups page for contact information.

CSO Breakast Club Chapters: For more information on the CSO Breakfast Club, see its description on our Infosec Organizations page.

• CSO Breakfast Club – Baltimore Chapter: They meet about every six weeks at one of the chapters; periodically they meet in Baltimore.
• CSO Breakfast Club – DC Metro Chapter: They meet about every six weeks at one of the chapters; periodically they meet in DC.