Financial Security

Welcome to TechTuesday at HSBXL. It’s where tech enthusiasts hang out, projects get tinkered with, and the occasional debate over the best programming language ensues. Whether you’re an old hand at hacking or just dipping your toes: * **Chats & Code**: Engage in hushed tech tales, showcase your latest digital masterpiece, or simply bask in the mesmerizing rhythm of coders at work. * **Ambient Rhythms**: We curate a backdrop of everything from ambient rock to downtempo electronica. It sets the mood, enhancing the creativity without becoming a distraction. * **Refreshment Protocol**: Club Mate to fuel your creativity, assorted beers for contemplation, and soft drinks for a refreshing pause. Choose your brew. * **Machinery Magic**: Our space boasts more than just computers. Soldering irons hiss and 3D printers hum, telling tales of projects brought to life. * **Knowledge Exchange**: Encountered a tech puzzle? Someone in the room might have just the insight you need. And if you’ve unraveled a digital mystery, consider sharing it. **Note**: The beauty of HSBXL is its welcoming ethos. Member or not, if you’re curious and respectful, you’re one of us. ### Getting to HSBXL HSBXL, the beacon for tech enthusiasts in Brussels, awaits. For your navigational needs, check [here](https://hsbxl.be/enter/). Barrier issues? Broadcast at +32 28804004. For real-time digital dialogues, tap into our [Matrix chatroom](https://matrix.to/#/#hsbxl:matrix.org). ### Bring Along Your tech gear, a project in progress, or simply a mind open to the endless possibilities of tech. That’s TechTuesday at HSBXL. A laid-back evening where tech happens, naturally. See you there.

EN (FR en bas): We're still accepting people in our classes. Join us!​ -step 1: Book here! -> [https://www.danceproject.be/reservations.html](https://www.danceproject.be/reservations.html) -step 2: Show up! Schedule: [Monday to Thursday](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#schedule) Fees : [All info on trials, packs, subscriptions here](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#fees) Locations: -Rue Brialmont 7, Brussels Metro/Tram: Botanique Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Intro - 1: From base to the dancefloor! When you come for the first time we go over the base & rhythm with you. Then you are included in the group and everybody learns the same new steps for which you just need the base. Practice makes perfect: just relax and enjoy Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop and/or Forró! Our group is very welcoming and looking forward to meet new dancers! Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Roots I - 2: Ready to go deeper on Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop &/or Forró? Let's go! [https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#improvers](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#improvers) Salsa, Forró Roots II - 3: Looking for #SalsaChallenge? Already familiar with Forró Root? We've got your back! [https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#intermediates](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#intermediates) More info: -Web: [https://www.danceproject.be](https://www.danceproject.be) -Whatsapp: +32 493 16 41 10 -Mail: brussels.salsa.project@gmail.com -[Facebook](https://facebook.com/brussels.salsa.project) -[Instagram](https://instagram.com/brussels.salsa.project) \-\-\-\-\- FR: Nous acceptons encore de nouvelles personnes dans nos cours. Rejoins-nous ! -1ère pas : Fait ta réservation ! -> [https://www.danceproject.be/reservation.html](https://www.danceproject.be/reservation.html) -2ème pas : Vient danser ! Horaire : [lundi à jeudi](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#horaire) Les prix : [Toutes les infos sur les essais, packs, abonnements ici](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#prix) Endroits : -Rue Brialmont 7, Bruxelles Metro/Tram: Botanique Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Intro - 1 : De la base à la piste de danse ! Lorsque tu nous rejoins on voit la base et le rythme avec toi. Ensuite, tu es inclus dans le groupe et tout le monde apprend les mêmes pas pour lesquelles tu as juste besoin de la base. C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron : détend-toi et profite la Salsa, de la Bachata, du Lindy Hop et/ou du Forró ! Notre groupe est très accueillant et a hâte de rencontrer de nouveaux danseurs ! Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Roots I - 2 : Prêt à approfondir la Salsa, la Bachata, le Lindy Hop &/ou le Forró ? Allons-y! [https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#inities](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#inities) Salsa, Forró Roots II - 3 : Tu cherches #DefiSalsa ? Tu connais déjà Forró Roots ? Nous sommes là pour toi ! [https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#intermediaires](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#intermediaires) Plus d’info: -Web: [https://www.danceproject.be/fr.html](https://www.danceproject.be/fr.html) -Whatsapp: +32 493 16 41 10 -Mail: brussels.salsa.project@gmail.com -[Facebook](https://facebook.com/brussels.salsa.project) -[Instagram](https://instagram.com/brussels.salsa.project)

La idea es quedar y practicar francés y español en Bruselas. Apto para todos los niveles. Groupe pour améliorer l'espagnol et français à Bruxelles. Pour tous les niveaux. Nos juntaremos en el Centro Cultural Metaprosa (Chaussée de Saint Pierre 9, 1040 Etterbeek, Bruselas) para conversar con un café o una cerveza en la mano. Todos los martes de 19.00- 21.30.

Do you like keeping your French up to date? Or do you want to help the ones that need some help here? If so, this meet up activity might be something for you :) Let's meet in order to have conversations in French together! * How to find us? - This meetup will take place at an easy to find venue, which is very close to subway station Gare Central and nearly to Grande place Brussels In this venue, it's possible to eat a little something - or to just have some drinks. we are in the hotel there is the big table , If you want speak with a few people you can change your chair or your place. For those who already speak a bit of French - ANYONE that can take part in the Meet up without having to ask "What does this mean?" all the time, is MORE than welcome! (And yes, pretending to understand it all and "Nodd and smile IS allowed :) ) Because reading and listening are very good teachers too... In fact anything that doesn't slow down practicing the language goes :) Or in more strict words: this Meet up is not the best place to go to for absolute beginners If you can not find call please Olivier 0476600552 or Mehrdad 0486652242 [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rue+du+March%C3%A9+Aux+Herbes+100,+1000+Bruxelles/@50.8466178,4.3551211,3a,28.7y,35.83h,95.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spHFBcXTJGMiNd7y_1PFAgg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c3c47f9e11971f:0x7c45bfb50b08362a!8m2!3d50.8467965!4d4.3553835](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rue+du+March%C3%A9+Aux+Herbes+100,+1000+Bruxelles/@50.8466178,4.3551211,3a,28.7y,35.83h,95.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spHFBcXTJGMiNd7y_1PFAgg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c3c47f9e11971f:0x7c45bfb50b08362a!8m2!3d50.8467965!4d4.3553835) Address is Rue du Marché Aux Herbes 100 Enjoy the Meetup!

You are looking for a change of scene, want something that move's you and wonder if dancing Salsa might be a good option. You're right – Salsa will lift your spirit and introduce you to a whole new group of people and an exciting scene. Join Oscar & Joke each Tuesday and / or Sunday as they guide you through Salsa from the basics, through to the advanced. Our classes are inclusive. We take the time you need to learn the style and take you step-by-step with us into the world of Salsa. We teach mainly in English and speak also Dutch, French and Spanish. Come and give it a go! Salsa is a good way to move your body, have fun and give your mind some mental sorbet after a turbulent day. Everyone welcome! 19h00 to 20h15 Beginners 20h15 to 20h45 Open level footwork (shines) for everyone! 20h45 to 22h00 Advanced Beginners Term dates Tuesdays: **13/1, 20/1, 27/1, 3/2, 10/2, 24/2, 03/3, 10/3, 17/3, 24/3** If you're new and still want to join after the 3rd class please contact us for a private class so we can ge you up to speed with the rest of the group. We teach the same class also on Sundays - that way you can compensate a week of travel by joining both classes in 1 week for ex. 10 classes are 120 euro ( classes of 1h15 + 30min of solo footwork for free) Additional information about prices and more: studionysalsa.be

Join us for a full day of collaborative work at HSBXL! This event is open to everyone who enjoys working in a community environment, whether you're advancing on business ventures, freelance projects, or creative endeavors. Bring your laptops, your enthusiasm, and your projects to collaborate, learn, and share in the main room of our spacious hackerspace. During this **8-hour co-working event**, you'll have the opportunity to work on your project, ask for feedback, offer help to others, and if you wish, share your achievements at the end of the day. **Please Note**: While HSBXL has multiple rooms for various purposes, this coworking event is taking place in the main room. It's important to note that online meetings should be avoided during this event to prevent noise disturbance and to maintain a conducive work environment for everyone. \#\#\# What the day will look like: 1\. Introduction and setting up: Find a comfortable spot in the main room\, set up your workspace and grab a Club Mate\, soft drink\, or a coffee to get your day started\. 2\. Work Session: Dive into your project\, seek assistance\, and collaborate with others\. 3\. Sharing Session: Optional\, but encouraged\! Share what you've worked on\, your challenges\, and triumphs\. \#\#\# How to get to HSBXL: HSBXL is located in Brussels. For detailed instructions on how to get to the hackerspace, please visit [here](https://hsbxl.be/enter/). If you encounter any issues while trying to get in, you can contact us at +32 28804004. Please note that the phone is inside the space. Alternatively, you can also reach out to us in our [Matrix chatroom](https://matrix.to/#/#hsbxl:matrix.org). \#\#\# Requirements Please bring your laptop, and if you have, an extension cord. The space has WiFi, but having your own internet backup solution can also be useful. Join us at this **8-hour co-working day** in the main room of HSBXL, and we hope you'll have made progress on your projects, learned something new, and most importantly, enjoyed the power of community collaboration. Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or creative, we welcome you to this day of productivity, sharing, and collaboration.

**Experience Deep Relaxation & Mental Clarity with Access Bars®** ​Imagine letting go of stress, overthinking, and emotional blocks—effortlessly. Access Bars® is a gentle, hands-on technique that activates 32 points on your head, helping to release stored thoughts, beliefs, and tension, leaving you feeling lighter, clearer, and more at ease. ​ ​Your Session ​🕰️ Duration: 30min or 60min in total ​📍 In-Person Only – Feel the full benefits in a calm and welcoming space. ​ ​💰 Investment in Your Well-being: ​30-min session: 25 EUR or 2 Common Hub Tokens (2 CHT) ​60-min session: 50 EUR or 4 Common Hub Tokens (4 CHT) ​ ​Book your session now and give yourself the gift of relaxation, clarity, and renewed energy! ✨ Booking: [https://koalendar.com/e/access-bars-CHB](https://koalendar.com/e/access-bars-CHB) **About Your Host:** ​​​This experience is guided by Mara [Regina](https://linktr.ee/reginadgaia) D'Gaia, an alchemist, holistic therapist and access bars practitioner. ​​​📧 Contact: [integractiveconnections@gmail.com](http://integractiveconnections@gmail.com) ​​​📸 Follow on Instagram: [@reginadgaia](http://www.instagram.com/reginadgaia)

This is an open Circle for anyone and open to constellate on any subject. It's a good way to get started if you've been wanting to see what Constellations is all about. We will start with some bodywork exercises and then there will be time for three Constellations on any topic. ​A Constellation is a means for accessing the timeless map you hold within, linking the past to the present and the present to the future. It's a tool to find the origin of the problems we face today such as repeated patterns, blockages, relationship difficulties or health concerns, to name a few, and has the power to reveal hidden dynamics not visible to the normal eye. Then a healing exchange takes place and steps are taken to free you from the past and put you on a road to freedom, understanding and authenticity for your future. ​There are two ways to participate, either as a participant or Space Holder in the Circle or to bring a topic to constellate as an Issue Holder, which is limited to three places. Although one person will bring a subject to constellate, everyone participates. A Constellation is a Healing Circle for all who attend. ​ Price for Space Holders: 45 Euros (12 spots) Price for Issue Holders: 145 Euros (3 spots) ​Date: Sunday, February 8th ​Time: 3:00 to 7:00 pm Location: Shanti Home: Rue Darwin 8, Brussels 1190 (Forest) ​\*There are three spots available for Constellations. Contact me if you'd like to reserve one of these spots. \*Spots are limited for both roles to ensure enough space in the room, although the room is very spacious. *Modified price for students or if you are unemployed. Write me if this is your case.​*Payment must be made beforehand. You can register either to the following account or pay by credit card or PayPal by following the link to the website. Register here: https://www.gettotheorigin.com/brussels-events For bank transfer instead, email Meghan. ​Contact: Meghan +32 468 455 273 meghan@gettotheorigin.com www.gettotheorigin.com

Join a cozy evening of chatting and hacking on **decentralized technologies**! We gather on the **first Wednesday of each month** in the Commons Hub, a beacon of hope and innovation in the center of Brussels. ⭐️ After setting the tone in a brief intro, and grabbing a slice of **pizza**, we'll split in smaller groups ("**pods**") to exchange knowledge, gather feedback and build/explore crypto hands-on. Topics will be decided on the spot ([open space technology](https://www.liberatingstructures.com/25-open-space-technology/)). Come prepared or show up curious... and bring your **laptop** if you wish. All fair game: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Nostr, Smart Contracts, DAO governance, ZK proofs... What has **emerged** before: \- many discussions\, presentations and workshops \- generating [yield on BTC](https://dao-brussels-vault.lovable.app/) for the community \- building and dissecting [Citizen Wallet](https://citizenwallet.xyz/) \- throwing epic parties such as [Block 26](https://www.blockfest.be/) \- ideating a decentralized ocean impact network \- experiments with commitment pooling \- creating a beer brand with supply\-chain transparency \- hosting hackathons \- \.\.\. If you're a hacker, visionary or blockchain nerd that wants to make a dent in the city, you'll feel right at home! \-\-\- P.S. This month the Crypto Wednesday falls in the middle of the Open Source Village. Exceptionally no free coworking during the day, but many relevant events spread over two weeks. Check out the [schedule on their site](https://opensourcevillage.org/). P.S. Would it be a ridiculous idea to cowork or host events at the Commons Hub? Prices in euros and *on-chain* sweat equity are available on [their site](https://commonshub.brussels/). You'll get warmly introduced on their Friday potluck lunches! P.S. It's not too late to party with the 100 most active people in the Belgian blockchain scene. Last year was a success... do you really want to miss [Block 26](https://www.blockfest.be/)? \-\-\- Your message here? Reach out to sponsor food or drinks.

This workshop series is a **follow-up to the ESP32 Robotics workshop**, but with a different concept. Here, there will be no subject set in advance, instead **all participants are welcome to join at any point and at any level, from beginner to expert**. Beginners will be guided though the basics (C programming, how to use measurement tools, soldering, PCB design, etc…) and can get advice on what tools and kits to start with, others can come with their own projects to get help or share some knowledge. ## Requirements * Bring your own laptop (Windows, Linux or Mac) * Any microcontroller/dev kit to develop your project(s). If you are a beginner and don’t know what to buy, come and we’ll find the best starter kit for you ! * A strong desire to learn stuff, good mood and some patience !

Please [register yourself on the website](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/wDqTeK0i6shJrDmzmCjQ) to receive the full details. Pranic Healing invites Pralaya Yoga* with Alexander Odent This SPECIAL EVENT will work on aligning the spine to decrease or remove back, neck and shoulder pain. Sunday 8th February 10:00 to 12:00 At Av Louise 505, Brussels Ring "Espace de Ressourcement" Price: 30€ The class will be in English. *Pralaya Yoga is a gentle and intelligent yoga practice that helps bring balance back to the body. Stress, injuries, bad posture, or daily habits can create pain and limit movement. Pralaya Yoga helps correct these imbalances, strengthening weak muscles and relaxing tense or overworked areas. Alexander's website (in Dutch): pralaya.be You can send us and email to juliana@praniclight.be or alexander@pralaya.be. With kindness, Juliana

This is a **recurring weekly gathering** of open-minded people who want to understand geopolitics **without confirmation bias**. We are not here to repeat talking points, defend camps, or feel morally validated. We are here to **listen, compare perspectives, and learn** — especially from people who come from, live in, or are directly affected by the regions being discussed. Each week, we look at **current and long-term geopolitical issues**, including conflicts rarely covered or oversimplified by Western media. **Topics We Cover** Our discussions focus on **current and long-term geopolitical issues**, including conflicts rarely covered or oversimplified by Western media, sovereignty, and reality as it is, not as it is marketed. We approach geopolitics and society from a realist, sovereignty-first perspective, skeptical of globalist ideology and media **groupthink**. The aim is to understand interests, incentives, history, law, and consequences — not to rehearse fashionable outrage. **Examples of topics we regularly examine include:** **1\. Venezuela & Cuba** Sanctions, regime survival, sovereignty, and how U.S. policy, energy interests, and regional power dynamics shape outcomes in Latin America — beyond Cold War clichés. **2\. Ukraine\, Cyprus & European Borders** Frozen conflicts, divided territories, and how international law is selectively applied when sovereignty clashes with strategic interests. **3\. Iran\, Gaza\, Syria & Lebanon** The Middle East beyond slogans: proxy wars, regional balances, sectarian fault lines, sanctions, militias, state collapse, and why Western media framing often obscures long-term realities. **4\. Congo \(DRC\) & Resource Wars** How minerals, supply chains, and foreign interests fuel instability in Africa — and why some of the deadliest conflicts on earth barely make the news. **5\. Taiwan\, Greenland & Strategic Geography** Why islands, trade routes, chokepoints, and remote territories matter enormously in a multipolar world — and how geography shapes power more than ideology ever will. **What Makes This Different** – We prioritize **voices from affected regions**: Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia – We examine **what Western media doesn’t tell, doesn’t show, or doesn’t contextualize** – We welcome **new ideas, uncomfortable facts, and disagreement** – We focus on power, interests, culture, history, economics — not slogans **This is not a safe space for ideology.** **It *is* a safe space for honest thinking.** In Brussels, there are already debate initiatives that offer structured discussions. Too often, however, a small circle curates skewed propositions and narrows the range of acceptable conclusions, turning moderation into gatekeeping . There are also plenty of spaces dedicated to repeating anti-American slogans or reducing complex geopolitics to partisan outrage. This forum is not one of them. Our approach is different. **We welcome genuine diversity of opinion and lived experience.** No one here will be cancelled, banned, or shamed for challenging dominant narratives. Ideas are debated openly; personal attacks and defamation are not tolerated. **Motions & Proposals Welcome** We actively encourage participants to propose motions for debate. If you suggest a motion, please do so with substance: a clear claim, basic historical or legal grounding, and an understanding of the stakes involved. Motions designed to provoke thinking are welcome; motions designed to score points or repeat media talking points are not. **Languages** The language of discussion will depend on the participants present. Debates are typically held in English and French, but we are comfortable switching or accommodating other languages when the moderation team can support it. Languages we can currently handle include: – English – French – Dutch – Spanish – Italian – Russian – Farsi The goal is understanding, not linguistic purity. When needed, participants may clarify or translate key points to ensure everyone can follow the discussion. If you speak more than one language, that’s an asset here ### **What We Ask of Participants** – Come to understand, not to perform or “win” – Be genuinely open to **new ideas and perspectives**, especially those that challenge your own – Speak from **knowledge**, not slogans — history, law, and context matter – If you bring a topic, come prepared: facts, timelines, sources, and legal or historical grounding are encouraged – Argue **ideas**, never individuals – No censorship of viewpoints – No personal attacks – No defamation or accusations against individuals **Strong disagreement is not only accepted — it is expected.** **Intellectual laziness is not.** **This is not a dating meetup.** Not every social space exists for flirting, hitting on people, or testing romantic opportunities. Anyone who treats this forum as a dating pool, approaches others with unwanted advances, or assumes participation implies romantic availability is misunderstanding the purpose of this group. Conversation comes first. Ideas come first. Respect comes first. If you are here primarily to date, pursue, or pressure others, this is not the right space for you. Boundaries are enforced. Discomfort is taken seriously. **Those who ignore this will be immediately asked to leave.** **Location & RSVP** The event will take place in Ixelles, in a public bar. To keep the discussion safe, focused, and accountable, the exact venue will be shared only with confirmed RSVPs via our WhatsApp chat. Depending on the final size of the group, we have several appropriate and secure venue options in the area. This allows us to: – Adapt the venue to the group size – Avoid disruptive or bad-faith behavior common to fully open meetups – Prevent meetup creeps and repeat offenders – Ensure everyone present respects the rules of conduct 👉 To RSVP and receive the location: **https://chat.whatsapp.com/LX7UkWGZ3UdLQWLBvNdezN** The goal is not exclusivity, but accountability and quality of discussion. If this format doesn’t suit you, this event may not be the right fit.

If you are interested in selecting investment choices for your 401(k) or other workplace savings plan, minimizing your income tax liability, or identifying the most effective investments for your brokerage account, we are the group for you. We are a local chapter of Bogleheads**®**, whose investment strategy can be found here: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy Or you can peruse the Boglehead forum here: https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php Rob will lead this month's meeting in my absence. Mark Vonder Haar

OWASP is ending use of Meetup, so I built an eventbrite for the event. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-development-risk-case-studies-and-how-agentic-ai-is-the-future-of-appsec-tickets-1981450622150?aff=oddtdtcreator AI is transforming how software is designed, developed, and deployed, dramatically accelerating velocity while introducing new categories of risk. As organizations adopt AI-assisted coding, autonomous agents, and increasingly complex model interactions, traditional application security approaches struggle to keep pace. This talk examines emerging AI-driven risks through real case studies from the field, highlighting issues such as insecure code generation, data-leakage pathways, model manipulation, and evolving supply-chain threats. We will explore how engineering teams must adapt their people, processes, and governance models to secure AI-augmented development workflows effectively. The session will then introduce agentic AI as the next evolution in application security—autonomous systems capable of continuous analysis, multi-step reasoning, and real-time remediation. Attendees will learn how combining agentic AI with modern practices can reduce developer friction, improve coverage, and create a future-ready application security strategy designed for the demands of AI-native software development

**[note: ‘registering’ here doesn’t get you a seat; go to [THIS LINK](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=Columbus-In-Person-Chapter-Meeting-Build-Your-Network-Get-Mentored-Night-14-2-3-2026) to download your guest pass or just let us know you’re coming]** At our in-person Columbus Chapter meetings, we love to get you next to local investors who aren’t just experienced but also supportive, collaborative, and ready to answer your questions. At February’s meeting, the whole 3 hours is about getting you face-to-face with our experienced local members for some local advice and mentoring. Here’s the whole agenda: 5:00 Free light dinner and networking tables, meet the vendors 6:00-6:15 Buy-Sell-Trade (Members) Guest Orientation (Non-Members) 6:15-8:00 p.m. **Build Relationships + Get Mentored Night!** We bet you’re figured out that the best way to profitably navigate a rapidly-changing market it to get with real people who already know how to find the deals, get them financed, get them fixed, and most importantly, get them sold or rented fast and profitably. That’s why we’re devoting a whole meeting to giving you the chance to build some real relationships with those experienced, supportive colleagues, ask them your ‘big picture’ questions, or even bring a deal that you’re working on to have them give their opinion. You’ll have the chance to sit with these mentors in small groups and make connections you want…we’ve got members who can answer questions on anything from getting financing to rehab to tenant issues, asset protection, wholesaling, shared housing, and more! If you’ve been intimidated by the success and knowledge of these folks (or just didn’t know who to go to for what questions), this is your chance to pick their brains in an easy, structured atmosphere where THAT’S WHY THEY’RE THERE! (If you’re more experienced yourself, how about showing up to BE a mentor for the night? After all, someone helped you when you got started…pass it on!) Members and first-time guests attend free; repeat guests are $35 (and for real, it’s cheaper to just join [HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/MembershipInfo.aspx) and get ALL the benefits of membership, including a free website for your business and 20 other educational and networking meetings every month than it is to keep paying that guest fee). Register below to reserve your seat! Members and first-time guests attend free; repeat guests are $35; Register at **[THIS LINK](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=Columbus-In-Person-Chapter-Meeting-Build-Your-Network-Get-Mentored-Night-14-2-3-2026)** to reserve your seat!

**Important note about the retirement of the OWASP Meetup platform** Fellow OWASP Toronto members, We are making an important announcement regarding an upcoming transition. The OWASP Foundation has announced that they will be retiring their Meetup Pro subscription effective January 31, 2026: https://owasp.org/blog/2026/01/13/retiring-meetup.html This means that our OWASP Toronto Meetup group may be removed in the coming days. We understand this may be short notice, so we want to make this announcement before we lose access. You are an important part of our chapter community. Many attendees I have spoken to have discovered OWASP Toronto via Meetup. To continue engaging with the community while using a platform that enables discoverability, we will moving to the [Evenbrite](https://owasp-toronto-chapter.eventbrite.com/) for publishing our events. You can continue to follow us via our [Google Group mailing list](https://groups.google.com/a/owasp.org/g/toronto-chapter), our [Chapter page](https://owasp.org/www-chapter-toronto/), our [LinkedIn group](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/owasp-toronto-chapter/), our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqmBl-u_4cOEiH3OXWE3sPg), our Slack channel ([#owasp-toronto-chapter](https://owasp.slack.com/archives/C075DRCB1PZ), does not require an OWASP membership), as well as on our new [Discord channel](https://discord.gg/eg3upJ6N). Please see below for details of our February 12 event. Visit our [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/owasp-toronto-february-2026-tickets-1982057078076) page for more information! \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Dual Talk Event: Raising Cyber Awareness Through Electronic Word of Mouth \| When AI Becomes Application Logic: Securing Shadow AI** Presentation #1: Raising Cybersecurity Awareness Through Electronic Word of Mouth: A Data-Driven Assessment Awareness of the many cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and solutions to mitigate these threats/vulnerabilities is instrumental in improving basic cybersecurity behaviours. A healthy body of knowledge has been devoted to exploring how to better increase awareness, in any given topic, among members of the general public which have explored the role of word of mouth (WOM) and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) in spreading awareness. In recent years, the rise of social media platforms as an alternative communication channel has created efforts to promote cybersecurity awareness online regarding the numerous cybersecurity threats. However, little research attention has been devoted to exploring eWOM communication on social media surrounding cybersecurity awareness. Moreover, no research to date has considered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these eWOM discussions related to cybersecurity awareness. To address these literature gaps, this research collected 227, 270 relevant tweets surrounding cybersecurity awareness from 2018 to 2022 conducting an exploratory analysis of the corpus using social network analyses, topic modelling and semantic similarity analysis. The results found topics rose in prominence and then dissipated as newer topics emerged while information was found to spread incredibly far despite a high degree of community forming, suggesting the online discourse is very open and evolving over time. These findings illustrate the potential of social media as an effective tool for raising cybersecurity awareness. The impact of COVID-19 observed an increase in the reach of information in addition to new specific topics emerging in the discourse, but the effects appear to be temporary. Speaker: Dane Vanderkooi Dane Vanderkooi is a fifth-year Doctoral Candidate in management science at TorontoMet University who specializes in researching cybersecurity and digital privacy behaviours. He completed his bachelor's of commerce at Uottawa and holds a master's in management science degree from Ryerson University. Dane has published his research in academic journals, conferences and industry reports. Dane has also presented his research at various conferences including HC2P, SERENE-RISC, HCII, CyberToronto, ASAC and SocialMedia+Society, AMCIS, and ICIS. Dane is certified in cybersecurity (CC) from ISC2 and has practical experience working in the field of cybersecurity with private industry, non-for-profits, and the public sector including the Canadian Armed Forces, Public Health and Safety Canada, Justice Canada, Innovation Science and Economic Development (ISED), Bell, BMO, Desjardins, Ritchie Bros and Achev. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Presentation #2: When AI Becomes Application Logic: Securing Shadow AI AI is entering production faster than security teams can see it. From “simple” chatbot integrations to LLMs wired directly into business logic — and agents running entire application flows — organizations are accumulating Shadow AI: untracked, ungoverned, and often dangerously over-privileged. This talk shows how AI quietly changes application behavior at runtime: expanding trust boundaries, introducing non-deterministic authorization paths, and creating blast radiuses that static inventories and policy checklists cannot capture. Using real-world architectural patterns and runtime signals, we’ll demonstrate how security teams can identify where AI is actually used, what it can access, and how attackers abuse AI-driven logic to exploit new classes of vulnerabilities. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for securing AI-powered applications — grounded in runtime behavior and evidence, not assumptions. Speaker: Daniel Shechter Daniel Shechter is the CEO and Co-Founder of Miggo, an Application Detection and Response platform. Shechter has an impressive background in both threat intelligence and within the security industry. Before founding Miggo he was leading cyber security teams in Israel's elite cyber intelligence division, Unit 8200. He later joined McKinsey, a strategy and management consulting company, where he provided guidance on acquisition, developing new business strategies and more. Shechter is an industry expert in security, incident detection and response, threat intelligence, and attack observability.

**People Analytics 101: Making Sense of Compensation Data** Compensation data is one of the most widely used and widely misunderstood forms of people analytics. The session will cover where compensation data comes from, including market pricing data, internal payroll data, and benchmarking sources, and how companies think about structuring and analyzing that information. We will explore how compensation data is leveraged to set salary ranges, manage internal equity, support hiring and retention, and align pay with business strategy. A portion of the session will address common data challenges and limitations, such as market noise, inconsistent job matching, and incomplete datasets, while keeping the primary focus on practical use rather than technical depth. The session will also look ahead at where the space is going, including the growing impact of pay transparency laws, expanding pay equity requirements, and emerging regulations in the US and Europe that require organizations to report on gender and pay gaps. The goal is to give attendees a clear mental model for how compensation analytics works today and why getting it right is becoming increasingly critical. (note: we are back at Rev1 this month!) **About Our Speaker** [Alex Moore](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexscottmoore/) is the founder of [Moore Cooperative](https://moorecooperative.com/), where he advises organizations on compensation strategy, pay equity, and people analytics. His work focuses on helping organizations like the Ohio Supreme Court design, analyze, and communicate compensation systems that are data-informed, defensible, and aligned with organizational goals. Alex lives in Granville, Ohio and has three little kiddos. More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

Confidence can be cultivated in many ways—through reflection, conversation, creativity, and practice. In this Confidence Lab session, we’ll explore one powerful pathway: **building confidence from the inside out through physical expression and movement**. This experience is designed to help you reconnect with your body as a source of insight, self-trust, and presence. We’ll begin by grounding into what’s bringing you here, creating space to notice how your body is showing up and what it’s holding. From there, you’ll be guided through accessible movement exercises that invite awareness and choice—isolating different parts of the body, experimenting with movement, and practicing what it feels like to take up space intentionally. Next, you’ll participate in a small-group dance lesson led in a supportive, low-pressure environment. No dance experience is needed. The focus is not on performance or perfection, but on expression, curiosity, and allowing yourself to move with confidence as you are. We’ll close with a reflective group discussion, exploring what emerged during the experience and how these insights can be applied beyond the studio—how you inhabit your body, how you carry yourself, and how you show up in everyday life. **What to know:** * Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you feel good moving in * No dance experience required * Light snacks and beverages will be provided This session is for anyone interested in deepening their relationship with confidence by listening to their body, expanding their capacity for self-expression, and practicing self-love as an embodied experience. **Featured Speaker: Mary Grace** Mary Grace, the dynamic force behind MG Choreography & Boutique, has been transforming special occasions with her unique blend of artistry and passion for over seven years. As a proud Latina, with Venezuelan and Mexican heritage, Mary brings a rich cultural perspective to every choreography she creates. Her dedication to dance is matched only by her commitment to empowering others through the joy and elegance of movement. Mary’s journey began with a simple passion for dancing, which quickly grew into a thriving business. She specializes in crafting personalized choreography for weddings, quinceañeras, and sweet sixteens, ensuring each event is unforgettable. Determined to make a significant impact in Ohio, Mary established the first-of-its-kind brick-and-mortar location that not only offers a space to practice these beautiful dances but also provides a boutique experience for purchasing or renting exquisite dresses and tuxedos for these special moments. Mary Grace is more than just a business owner; she is a trailblazer for Latina women in the community, dedicated to bringing elegance, joy, and a touch of her vibrant heritage to every event she touches. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*