FishermansEnemy

We have a date for the first OWASP Birmingham event, December 15th. We have Dave Rook (aka SecurityNinja) lined up as one of our first speakers. He was awesome when I saw him at BsidesLondon, and I can't think of a better way to start the brum chapter than with our own local security rock-star.

What we need now is... you, and your support. If we are going to make this a regular event that gets the best of the West Midlands security pros together then we are going to need those self-same people to step up and support the chapter. For most of you that will just mean turning up to the event and getting to know everyone else, but some of you may want to help further to make sure that we are around for a while, and available to anyone interested in web application security. To this end we could use any of the following:

A venue

We are working on securing a venue for the first meeting, but this is relying on the generosity a of a long time supporter who looks after a couple of others. It would be nice if a local security company had the chance to show their support of the local chapter. Also, hackers drink, so if you have a bar with A/V capabilities and space for speakers to present then this may be a no-brainier ;)

Sponsors

If you would like to support us but haven't got the facilities to give a venue, then sponsoring us for a small amount per event would allow us to offer some food and refreshments to the attendees. You would get a mention at the meeting and access to the attendees, as well as a small amount of time to give a talk if you wish.

Speakers

This is the reason everyone is here. If you have something to say about web app security then we have the people who want to hear you. Nervous about presenting? Me too! but I'd rather start of at a smaller event like an OWASP chapter meeting than a national security conference. In the spirit of this I would like to throw my hat in the ring, I'm not sure what I'll speak about yet or how long it will take me to write it, but I shouldn't be asking you to do something I'm not ready to do myself.

Attendees

Yes it seems obvious, but without attendees then our security rock-stars and nervous first timers are going to talk to an empty room. So get the word out that we exist. If we build it, they will come ;)

So if you own somewhere we can present in, want to sponsor some meetings, want to talk or want to attend then come and find us. We will be setting up an eventbrite where attendees can register, so stay tuned for details. In the mean time though, everyone who has read this far is probably interested and has earned themselves some homework (Yay!). I need *you* to spread the word. Tweet this article, tell your friends, enemies, web app developing barber and that lady from Avon that always comes round when you're eating diner. Post about us on your social networks and get the word out. OWASP Birmingham is coming in to land, what will you tell your children when they ask what *you* were doing?

The chapter board members are Jason Alexander, Tom MacKenzie, Mike Kemp, Majid Ali and myself, so follow us on twitter for updates, and send us a message if you have any questions.