Nikolas Gauder's OpenSSL Conference experience

Seven people who applied received a Foundation Scholarship to the OpenSSL Conference. We reached out to those who attended and asked about their experiences. Today we’re sharing Nikolas Gauder’s story.

Attending the OpenSSL Conference was an incredible opportunity to connect with people who are shaping the future of secure communication on the Internet. I’ve long been interested in the intersection of cryptography, network protocols, and open-source development, so when I saw the chance to attend, I immediately applied. I actually came across the scholarship while browsing the OpenSSL website for a project I was working on and it felt like the perfect opportunity to get engaged with the community behind one of the most widely used security libraries in the world.

The conference really motivated me to become more involved with OpenSSL and open-source security in general. Hearing from the maintainers about the real-world impact of their work and how every contribution, no matter how small, helps strengthen global security, was incredibly inspiring. It made me realize that open-source isn’t just about code, it’s about collaboration and shared responsibility for keeping the Internet secure. I left Prague excited to contribute more actively and to continue learning from such an experienced and passionate community.

Don’t be shy: just start with your first PR! Getting involved can seem intimidating at first, but the process is very easy and the OpenSSL community is very welcoming to new contributors. For me, submitting my first PR was a great way to learn by doing and to see how collaborative and supportive the OpenSSL community really is.