WICHITA, Kan. -- 
Airmen assigned to the 184th Cyberspace Operations Group and 184th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group attended the OzSec Information Security Conference, an event that brings together cybersecurity professionals from across the community, Oct. 10-11, 2025, in Wichita, Kan. OzSec provided a valuable opportunity for Kansas Air National Guard airmen to learn from local industry leaders, network with experts, and gain insights into the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
OzSec began in Oct. 2018 as a joint effort between the International Information System Security Certification Consortium Wichita chapter and the Information Systems Security Association Central Plains chapter. With support from the wider community, the event has become a cornerstone of the Wichita information security world.
The OzSec Foundation continues to grow, partnering with community organizations and educational institutions to expand the information security network in the Wichita area.
“OzSec brings together cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss emerging threats and evolving tactics,” said Lt. Col. Jeremy Cook, the184th COG commander. “By participating, we gain firsthand insights into current adversary techniques, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies—critical for cyber operations.”
This year’s conference featured expert presentations on relevant security topics, interactive hands-on workshops, and a Capture the Flag competition. 184th COG and ISRG members were able to listen to presentations like “Ransomware Reimaged: From Encryption to Extortion” and “Social Engineering, Evolved: A Timeline of Deception.”
A particular highlight was a presentation from Col. David Carpenter, former member of the 184th Wing and now Director of the Midwest Cybersecurity Center at FirePoint. Carpenter also serves as the Air National Guard Advisor to PACAF A2/A6.
“I’ve seen firsthand how powerful collaboration between the Air National Guard and the civilian cybersecurity community can be," said Carpenter. "The Guard brings disciplined operators, mission focus, and a deep understanding of adversary tradecraft. Civilian innovators, meanwhile, move with speed, creativity, and technical specialization that’s hard to replicate inside government. When these strengths converge, we accelerate capability development, strengthen national resilience, and ensure emerging technologies are built securely from the start."
Beyond the speaker sessions and hands-on workshops, OzSec offered Airmen with opportunities to network and connect with peers in the local cybersecurity community. Airmen engaged with people from various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and local government.
The Capture the Flag event also offered Airmen an environment to test their skills, share their knowledge, and create new connections that could lead to future collaboration efforts.
"My biggest advice to cybersecurity professionals—whether in uniform or in the civilian sector—is to stay relentlessly curious and stay close to real-world adversary behavior… Seek opportunities to work across boundaries… Stay grounded in fundamentals, automate what you can, and continually experiment with new tools and approaches,” stated Carpenter. “Most importantly, embed yourself in communities… where ideas and challenges are shared openly."
Recruiters from the 184th Wing also attended OzSec and had the opportunity to answer questions about the Air National Guard, share information about different careers, and connect with the local information security community.
The 184th COG and ISRG's participation in the OzSec Information Security Conference underscored the units’ commitment to continuous learning and community engagement, helping them stay at the forefront of an ever-evolving cyber landscape.
“OzSec provides participants [the ability] to think creatively and adapt to new challenges. This mindset is essential for cyber warriors who must respond to dynamic and unpredictable threats,” concluded Cook.
