Reflections on DevConf.CZ 2025: A Defining Moment for the OpenSSL Corporation

Jun 19, 2025

DevConf.CZ 2025 in Brno (June 12 – 14) offered more than a platform for technical exchange — it served as a meaningful waypoint in the ongoing journey of the OpenSSL Corporation. As co-maintainers of one of the world’s most widely used cryptographic libraries, our participation marked a public reaffirmation of our Mission.

First-Time Exhibitor

This was our first year exhibiting at DevConf.CZ, and we did so with purpose. Engaging directly with developers, contributors, and researchers reaffirmed the critical role open, standards-based cryptography plays in today’s digital infrastructure. The quality of conversations around trust, interoperability, and long-term security made clear that the open source community remains deeply invested in resilient security foundations.

A Full House for Tomas Vavra

We are grateful to the many attendees who joined Tomas Vavra’s session - PQC in OpenSSL 3.5. The audience underscored the urgency and interest surrounding modern cryptographic practices and the need for tools that are both technically sound and operationally transparent. The thoughtful dialogue following his talk was a reminder that the most meaningful conversations happen when expertise meets openness.

Establishing Our Headquarters in Brno

We were pleased to formally announce that Brno is now home to the OpenSSL Corporation’s global headquarters. This decision reflects our appreciation for Brno’s deep technical talent, its long-standing commitment to education and innovation, and its vibrant open source community. It also aligns with the collaborative, global values that shape our organisation — and our commitment to contributing meaningfully as part of Brno’s growing ecosystem.

An Invitation to Our Grand Opening

We invite our peers, partners, and members of the community to join us at the official opening of our Brno office on: August 20, 2025

Address: Kotlarska 51a (1st floor) Brno, Czech Republic

Details and RSVP

This occasion is not only a celebration of a place, but a moment to reflect on where we are going — and who we hope to build with along the way.

Community Engagement that Endures

DevConf.CZ reaffirmed that meaningful progress depends on the community. From hallway conversations to technical panels, we were reminded that collaboration — not just code — is what strengthens the open internet. These exchanges shape not only how we write software, but how we govern it, document it, and support the people and systems that depend on it.

Looking Ahead: The First OpenSSL Conference

We are now preparing to host the first-ever OpenSSL Conference, dedicated to advancing the practice of open cryptographic engineering. This event will serve as a space for practitioners, researchers, and infrastructure leaders to share ideas, insights, and practical approaches to the hard problems of secure communication.

As part of our presence at DevConf.CZ, we hosted a raffle — one for each of the conference’s three days — awarding three complimentary tickets (which also included accommodation) to the upcoming OpenSSL Conference. It was a small gesture to encourage participation and reinforce our commitment to openness, accessibility, and broader engagement across the security and open source communities.

The Call for Papers remains open until the end of June, and this is the final opportunity to submit. We welcome contributions that reflect both depth and pragmatism across the domains of cryptography, secure software, and public interest technology.

Closing Reflections

At the OpenSSL Corporation, our work is shaped as much by community as by code. DevConf.CZ 2025 in Brno was a reminder of just how much energy, insight, and commitment lives in the local open-source ecosystem.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, shared feedback, or just said hello. We’re glad to be part of this community — and we are looking forward to everything we can build together.