Looking to start a local "citysec" meetup, or just trying to figure out what's keeping yours from being successful? Join key hosts from Chicagoland's (now global) BurbSec Information Security Meetup Network for a panel discussing 15 years of lessons learned from hosting the world's most successful meetups. Don't start yet another expensive, annoying con when what you really need is a cheap and easy meetup!

In an industry driven by high-stakes pressure, remote work, and digital isolation, many cybersecurity professionals are quietly burning out. We’ve built our lives around work and home—but what’s missing is a space where we can connect as people, not just professionals. This talk draws on decades of sociological and psychological research to explore how local hacker meetups, conferences, and informal gatherings can serve as vital sanctuaries for mental health, social capital, and career growth.

We’ll examine the science behind why humans—especially those wired for introversion, ADHD, or autism—need community to thrive, and how the breakdown of social ties is making us more vulnerable than we think. You’ll hear real-world stories, surprising statistics, and actionable ideas to help rebuild belonging in cybersecurity, one third place at a time.

Whether you're a security leader looking to support your team or a burned-out practitioner searching for your people, this talk offers a roadmap for reconnecting—with each other, and with ourselves.