A few days ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Arantxa Sanz, President of RootedCon.
And what is RootedCon? It is the largest cybersecurity conference in Spain and the Spanish-speaking world, attracting around 8,000 visitors each year to its main event in Madrid. In addition, it is held in Valencia, Málaga, Portugal, and Panama. In Europe, it is considered one of the most influential technical conferences, alongside events such as Troopers (Germany) and BruCON (Belgium). Worldwide, it is a benchmark in the Spanish-speaking ecosystem and is increasingly gaining international visibility. In fact, it has positioned itself as a bridge between Europe and Latin America in the field of cybersecurity.
The event already has fifteen years of experience, where the care and dedication of its organizers are evident in the wealth of details aligned to deliver a memorable presentation. One of its main differences from other events of this kind is its community focus, commitment to the technological world, and its defense of the principles of neutrality and freedom of the internet.
Behind this entire staging is its president, Arantxa Sanz, along with her team, who kindly took us on a journey full of anecdotes, lessons, and stories of how it was built. It all began in an almost homemade way, with meetings in living rooms and family garages, searching for affordable venues and sponsors who would believe in a project that at the time seemed crazy. From those first editions with just a few hundred attendees, it has grown to fill the huge theaters of Kinépolis with thousands of people and become a reference point in Europe.
The president shared the spirit that sets RootedCon apart: it is not just an event designed for companies, but a space to create community, connect professionals, and showcase Spanish talent. That said, without losing quality, the sponsors who take the stage do so with technical and valuable talks, not commercial speeches.
One of the most human aspects of the interview was the personal anecdotes. From the legendary “Conchas Codan” that her mother suggested including in the welcome packs —and which ended up becoming a tradition— to the nerves of speakers who are now industry benchmarks, or the last-minute races to find a venue when a contract fell through.
She also addressed some challenges, such as the brain drain caused by the lack of recognition in Spain, the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, and the need to invest in specialized training. In this regard, RootedCon has expanded its offerings with workshops and practical courses for all levels.
As for diversity, Sanz was clear: there are more and more women in the sector, but they are still a minority. They do not organize “quotas,” but instead keep the door open for women themselves to take the step and apply as speakers.
Looking to the future, she envisions RootedCon with more presence in Latin America and Europe, but always true to its essence: a place to share knowledge, inspire vocations, and defend key values such as neutrality and internet freedom. Beyond the numbers, it is, as she herself defines it, a big family built on passion, volunteering, and community.
And I won’t tell you more—watch the interview and draw your own conclusions.
Questions for Arantxa Sanz
- What is RootedCon, and how was it born?
- What does it mean to you to be at the head of the largest cybersecurity conference in Spain?
- What sets RootedCon apart from other similar events in Europe or worldwide?
- How do you select speakers and manage the call for papers?
- How do you organize with volunteers and sponsors?
- What anecdotes do you remember from these years (positive and negative)?
- What role has RootedCon played in public debates, such as the mass blocking of websites?
- At what level is Spain in cybersecurity, and what challenges does it face?
- What impact will artificial intelligence have on the sector and on employment?
- What training initiatives does RootedCon offer?
- Why are there fewer women in cybersecurity, and what is being done to make them more visible?
- Where do you see RootedCon in ten years?
- What advice would you give to young people who want to get started in cybersecurity?
- What are the upcoming RootedCon events?
