It all started with a couple of crazy people, crazy about information security, of course, who, as it often happens in this small big world of ethical hacking and cybersecurity, crossed paths. They quickly discovered they shared two great passions: teaching and working for a safer digital environment.
What began as a friendship soon evolved into a professional collaboration and, finally, a partnership that took shape with the birth of 85bits in 2020.
After years of observing the shortcomings and opportunities in the field of information security, we decided to do more than just point out problems: we aimed to provide solutions. Thus, this initiative was born, blending the academic with the practical, with the goal of transforming the way cybersecurity is learned in our region.
85bits is more than just a name: it’s a space created to share knowledge, experiment, fail, build and, above all, learn alongside a community of enthusiasts, learners, practitioners and professionals. We firmly believe in one principle: “Do and undo to learn, share and teach.”
For years, we’ve shared ideas, discussed concepts and analyzed experiences. This academic puzzle began to take shape, aiming to combine theory and practice with a focus on the skills, interests and talents of those who join us in the process. Because yes, at 85bits, we also consider ourselves learners: every day we learn something new, and that drives us forward.
If we were to compare it to something, it would be like that recipe for your favorite food. Let’s say a pizza, for example. Everyone likes it, but each person prefers it differently: some with thin crust, others deep-dish; some load it with savory ingredients, while others like a sweet touch. This is how we understand learning in cybersecurity: as a recipe with multiple possible combinations, tailored to each profile, each need.
No, we don’t make pizzas, but we do want to whet your appetite for knowledge, and we do so with a recipe called information security, with ingredients native to our land. Because at 85bits research, teaching and development come from Colombia, with a Latin American flavor.
Because even the most chaotic games follow a logic, the crazy people who created and believe in 85bits also established some convictions that are part of our culture:
Things can be done well in a different way.
The development of potential and professional inclusion in technology and information security is possible.
We can transform the status quo in information security through a change of focus.
An engineer with dreams of becoming an artist and a hidden love for complexity sciences.
She started sharing knowledge as an academic monitor in software development during her undergraduate years in 2007 (yes, it might sound geeky), and as part of her professional experience in consulting, she developed a passion for teaching about risk, information security, and business continuity.
Instructor, teacher and mentor. Sounds like the evolution of a Jedi and it’s pretty much like that, only he never stops being a learner.
He ventured into the world of security in 2007, initially contributing his knowledge in technology, software development and web development. Little by little, he joined the “dark side” of the force (security) with courses in digital forensics, incident response, ethical hacking and malware analysis.
To inspire learning through experimentation and research in information security, transforming your vision in a fun and innovative way.
By the end of 2030, we aim to become a reference in Academy and Consulting in Information Security in Colombia and initiate the coverage extension plan in the academic line for Latin America.