About NorthSec

What is NorthSec?

NorthSec is one of the largest applied security events in Canada. Held annually in Montréal, it brings together security professionals, researchers, students, and enthusiasts for an immersive week of learning and competition.

The event spans three tracks: expert-led training sessions, a two-day conference featuring talks on the latest offensive and defensive security topics, and a grueling 48-hour Capture The Flag (CTF) competition that pits teams from around the world against one another.

Founded in Montréal, NorthSec is organized by a passionate volunteer community and is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity field.

NorthSec
CTF
48h non-stop
100+ teams
700+ CTF participants
Conference
2 days of talks
30+ speakers
13+ editions since 2013
Training
20+ sessions per edition
20+ industry sponsors
1500+ attendees on-site
Community
30+ year-long contributors
100% volunteer-run
non-profit organisation
Meet the team Become a sponsor Past editions

For the Press

Media inquiries: communications@nsec.io

Themed challenges, end-to-end

Every edition has a central theme that drives the CTF storyline, badge design, and challenge narrative. Flags don't exist in isolation — they're part of a plot you unravel over 48 hours.

Keynotes from practitioners

Our keynote speakers are people who ship exploits, publish research, and build things that break (or fix) systems. No motivational speakers — just people doing the work.

Organized by people who hack for a living

The organizing committee is made up of security professionals who volunteer their time. No events company, no PM layer — just practitioners who enjoy running a technically demanding event.

Backed by the security industry

20+ sponsors every year, all from the security sector: vendors, consultancies, and MSSPs who recognize the value of a technical community event.

Follow Us

Stay up to date with the latest NorthSec news, announcements, and content.

https://www.youtube.com/c/NorthSecIo https://discord.gg/ThftxKumsG https://www.linkedin.com/company/northsec https://infosec.exchange/@NorthSec https://bsky.app/profile/northsec.io https://www.instagram.com/northsec_io/ https://videos.spacebar.ca/c/nsec/videos

Brand Image Kit

Use these assets when writing about NorthSec. Please respect the guidelines below.

Black logo on light backgrounds · White logo on dark backgrounds · Colour logo on neutral grey · 33% clear space on all sides · No modifications · For licensing: communications@nsec.io

Logo

NorthSec colour logo
Colour SVG
NorthSec black logo
Black SVG
NorthSec white logo
White SVG

Brand Colour

#1C75BC NorthSec Blue
#F2F2F2 Light Grey
#1A1A1A Black

Photography

Event photos from all editions are available on our photos page, organised by year.