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Summary
This code of conduct is intended to spell out in no uncertain terms how attendees at BSides Reykjavik are expected to conduct themselves. These rules are pretty simple. In short, just follow these simple bullet points and you will be fine
- Be a decent human being
- Make everyone feel welcome, no exceptions
- Make everyone feel comfortable, no exceptions
- Come to learn and network
These are pretty simple rules and no one should have any problems obeying these rules. Experience has shown that there are people who can not do this, and this will not be tolerated. If you make anyone feel uncomfortable or feel not welcomed, you are not welcomed and you will be ejected. Please read on for full details.
Who is Our Code of Conduct For?
BSides Reykjavik aims to be a conference for EVERYONE. As a community-driven organization inclusion is core to our values. We expect all event attendees, speakers, sponsors, partners, vendors, facilities staff, committee, and board members to agree to and follow the code of conduct guidelines. Should you have questions, concerns, or doubts about whether an action would be in violation of the Code of Conduct, please contact us at info@bsidesreykjavik.com.
Publication
The Code of Conduct is available online at https://bsidesreykjavik.com/code-of-conduct/ and will be highlighted in all communication
Purpose
Security events present opportunities to learn, share knowledge, and network. As a security event organizer, we believe these events should represent a safe, enjoyable, and inclusive environment for all people, irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexuality, religion, disability, socioeconomic background, experience, size, shape, and so on. No one should undergo harassment, bullying, or abuse. Such behavior is deemed unacceptable and will be addressed. We will, when possible, address the behavior directly. We will apply consistent, specific sanctions as required, regardless of the circumstances to ensure they do not recur. This code of conduct explains what we mean by unacceptable behavior and it outlines the steps someone subjected to such behavior at an event can take to report it.
Why Do We Need a Code of Conduct?
Unfortunately, unwanted behavior still occurs, and while harassment metrics are yet to be introduced and measured, anecdotal reports are widespread and have been reported in the media and social media platforms for years. This has reportedly resulted in increased dissatisfaction and non-attendance by women, nonbinary, people of color, and other minorities who feel disenfranchised and threatened. The purpose of this code of conduct is to get participants fully aligned on what constitutes unacceptable behavior, how the aggrieved can report it, and what will be done about it by BSides Reykjavik organizers and staff.
How We Define Acceptable and Unacceptable Behavior
People’s interpretation of acceptable or unacceptable behavior is subjective and influenced by personal experience, religion, and cultural background. That’s why we believe it’s important to define what we mean by both.
Acceptable Behavior
As event organizers, we expect everyone to be professional and respectful to others at all times. Everyone should be aware of the impact their behavior can have on others. We ask that you
- Respect the venue, the staff, and any equipment you may be allowed to use.
- Be courteous and well-mannered when speaking to someone or engaging with them.
- Treat people the same way you would like to be treated.
- Respect someone’s personal space and body – when someone says no it is no, not maybe.
Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable behavior is offensive in nature – it disturbs, upsets, or threatens. It lowers self-esteem or causes overwhelming torment. It is characteristically and can take the following forms:
- Entering a person’s personal space without consent
- Derogatory, inflammatory, or discriminatory language, comments, or conduct.
- Engineered episodes of intimidation, aggressive actions, or repeated gestures.
- Repetitive heckling and disruption of talks.
- Wearing of inappropriate attire (e.g., sexualized clothing).
- Using sexual images or sex toys in public spaces.
- Inappropriate photography or recordings (where inappropriate is defined as used later in a sexual, derogatory, defamatory manner, or for exploitation).
- Stalking or following.
- Persistent and unwanted sexual advances.
- Unwanted physical contact.
- Intentional use of improper/incorrect pronouns
- Contact with assistive devices or service animals without affirmative consent.
- Encouraging any of the above behaviors
Alcohol and Other Substances
The following substance-related conduct is also prohibited:
- Excessive or irresponsible consumption of alcohol;
- Possession, sale, or use of marijuana, any marijuana derivative, or any other illicit or controlled substance other than under the prescription and supervision of a licensed physician.
- Providing or participating in the service of alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; and
- Smoking, except in designated areas.
BSides Reykjavik contracted venue providers reserve the right to further prohibit the use or possession of drugs (legal, prescription, or other), tobacco, or other substances on their property, per the terms of the rental contract.
Food and Drink
You are required to follow the venue policy and directives on where and what food and drink can be consumed
Photo, Video, and Recording Policy
Ensure you have permission from anyone you photograph or record. This includes those in the background of your shot. “Crowd shots” from the front (facing the crowd) are not allowed.
If you’ve accidentally taken a picture without permission, delete it. If you are asked by a participant to delete/blur a picture they did not give you permission to take, please do so immediately.
Upon a first infraction, you will receive one warning from BSides Reykjavik Staff. Upon a second infraction, you will be asked to leave the event with your device. You may return to the event once you have deposited your device in a secure location, offsite.
How to Report Unacceptable Behavior
Option 1: If you feel safe to do so, speak up. See it, say it, sort it.
If you are disrespected, or witness this happening to someone else, engage politely with the person involved, if you feel able to, and let them know that you find their behavior unacceptable and offensive. Sometimes the best way to change unacceptable behavior is by bringing it to the perpetrator’s attention and giving them an opportunity to acknowledge this and apologize.
Option 2: Report it to BSides Reykjavik staff via any of the following ways:
- Inform a member of our event staff who can be identified by their badge.
- Email us at info@bsidesreykjavik.com.
- Complete our event feedback form (this can be done anonymously), which will be sent out to all attendees after the event concludes.
When reporting, please provide as much detail as possible, preferably:
- Your name and contact details (email, cell/mobile phone, and address).
- The time it occurred.
- The place it occurred.
- The names and contact details of any witnesses.
- The outcome you are expecting (e.g. letter of apology, steps taken to prevent a similar instance from occurring, etc.)
Note: You can remain anonymous if you so wish and providing any of the above information is optional.
Anyone can report harassment. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please report the situation to us as indicated above.
We don’t have a time limit for reporting unacceptable behavior, although we encourage you to do it as quickly as possible, as it can be difficult to obtain accurate witness statements the longer time passes. If you report unacceptable behavior more than three months after an incident, you should explain why as it may impact the ability to respond accordingly. We will consider your explanation and then endeavor to deal with your report.
How We Handle Unacceptable Behavior
We are committed to ensuring that you experience a positive, enjoyable, and inclusive event. We strive for customer service excellence when reporting unacceptable behavior. That’s why, for the duration of our event, we will have a number of reporting mechanisms available (e.g., suitable informed event staff, event feedback forms, etc.). When you report unacceptable behavior to us, we will respond promptly and with care, consideration, and respect. Our process does not replace nor remove the formal mechanisms available to you as an individual to report inappropriate or offensive behavior such as making a police report. Our process is as follows:
- We will acknowledge your report and reply via email (if an email was sent) as soon as is practical.
- We will perform a thorough investigation starting immediately.
- We will not comment on your experience or perception of it.
- We will keep it wholly professional and confidential.
- We will treat all of the people involved fairly and objectively, irrespective of what our relationship with them is.
- We will apply the appropriate sanctions/remediation (e.g., warnings, direction to learning resources on the topic of harassment, bullying or anti-social behavior, temporary or permanent suspensions, and if necessary, report them to the police). We will take into consideration your wishes in any enforcement.
- We will suggest measures we can take to ensure incidents of this nature do not recur at future events.
- We reserve the right to remove people from the event or prevent people from joining the event.
- We will not name and shame individuals, but we will analyze our progress with regard to unacceptable behavior and publish our findings annually on our website