Volunteering at Disobey 2026

Why volunteering is a valuable experience

Volunteering is a great way to explore the field you are curious about and meet people who are involved in it. For me as a cybersecurity student volunteering is a chance to grow my understanding of the cybersecurity field and the opportunities within it. In February I volunteered at the Nordic security event Disobey. I basically got told that Disobey is the biggest hacker event in Nordics and something I should experience. This short pitch made me apply for the volunteer crew which felt like a jump to the unknown.

The world of cybersecurity is still new to me so it’s safe to say I was surprised by all the hype around Disobey. Tickets were gone almost immediately and people were counting days to the event. LinkedIn was full of posts about Disobey starting soon with people asking each other who was attending. It was a surprising phenomenon, especially in Finnish culture, to see people so excited about attending a crowded networking event.

Disobey venue Photographer: Elderx

What I appreciate about volunteering is that you don’t have to be a talented hacker to participate. For example, I scanned tickets and packed badges, which didn’t require cybersecurity expertise. Curiosity and desire to help can take you far. It was nice to notice how excited the experienced volunteers were for the first-time volunteers. Volunteers were encouraged to enjoy the experience. We were given plenty of time to explore the venue outside of our shifts.

The atmosphere among the volunteer crew was great. There was no blaming. If problems came up, they were solved and work continued. Diversity of people makes community events like Disobey successful. Because of this I wanted to highlight the experiences and backgrounds of other volunteers. I asked the newer Disobey volunteers what made them volunteer and what was their experience like:

• Was recommended to volunteer because Disobey is a good way to get more familiar with the field. The people made the experience good. Everyone says that about Disobey but it’s true that community makes the experience much better. -Archi

  
  

• Was recommended to volunteer by a friend. Loved the experience. Disobey has been the best volunteer experience yet. Volunteer needs were considered well and there was plenty of time to visit the venue. -Anastasiia
  

• HelSec members said that volunteering is the best way to experience Disobey. Had participated Disobey previously but as a volunteer the experience was different. As a volunteer you see how the event is carried out. -Teija
  

• Disobey was a good opportunity to get more involved in the field and join the community. It was nice to meet new people. -Alesia

  
  

• The experience was unexpected, exciting, fun and filled with a lot of activities. -Praewpiraya W

  
  

• Was encouraged to volunteer by coworkers. Prefers operating as an organizer in events rather than a visitor because volunteers have a tighter community. -Johannes
  

  
  

  

  Disobey 2026 volunteer crew Photographer: Elderx

  Many newer volunteers were encouraged to volunteer by people who already operate in the field. This shows how active the Finnish cybersecurity community is. For me, the experience was valuable because I got to do something practical along with my studies. People cared about the event and were happy to participate which motivated me to do my part well. I got to speak with people who work in the field and receive encouragement about my ongoing journey into the field.

  
  

  I also asked the longer time organizers why they are still involved in making Disobey happen. Their answers combined humour, light-hearted atmosphere and years of trial and error. I got to hear stories about the first times Disobey was organized and when it was said that the event couldn’t be pulled off.

  
  

• Got first involved with Disobey due to curiosity and has stayed because of people. “Rakkaudesta lajiin” “For the love of the game” -Ken
  

• Is still involved because of the people. “No one else is crazy enough to take the responsibility of my role.” “At first the idea of Disobey was judged. It was told that the event couldn’t be carried out.” -Tomi

  
  

• “The event has grown more presentable each year” In Finnish: “Tapahtuma on kasvanut salonkikelpoisemmaksi vuosi vuodelta” -Kirjiz
  

• Has stayed involved because of good people and lovely atmosphere. “I felt so pathetic about the first event that I had to help with next ones.” -Anonymous

  
  

  Thank you to the entire volunteer crew!

  
  
  
  

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Text: Minja Lehtinen, Youth Ambassador Programme Pictures: Elderx