Security Built Different
Central Illinois was getting left behind in the cyber arms race. A region rich with Fortune 500 talent but no unified voice. No training ground for the next generation. No independent research protecting local infrastructure.
Two cybersecurity professionals saw the gap and refused to wait for someone else to fill it. What started as late-night conversations in 2019 became the Heartland's first truly nonprofit, community-first cybersecurity organization. Not owned by private money, not beholden to the highest bidder.
This is a movement where rigorous training creates real defenders, where independence means honest guidance, and where every decision is made in public view.
The vision: transform Central Illinois into a recognized stronghold of cyber capability where defenders are forged through rigorous training, independence guarantees honest guidance, and accountability isn't optional.
Genesis of the ILCF
The Illinois Cyber Foundation's journey from grassroots initiative to recognized center of excellence is marked by key milestones that shaped our mission and expanded our impact across Central Illinois.
The Foundation
Executive Directors Nick Schroeder and Cody Kretsinger first connected, recognizing Central Illinois' untapped reservoir of security expertise. The region was home to a dense concentration of high-level professionals working for Fortune 500s and global firms, yet no unified community existed to connect them.
Pandemic Pause
As COVID-19 swept across the nation, the ILCF pivoted to virtual engagement while delaying major in-person initiatives. The pandemic reinforced the critical need for robust cybersecurity as organizations rapidly transitioned to remote work.
Official Formation & Building Momentum
The ILCF was formally established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Collaborating with regional leaders and educators, the team launched educational seminars and community meetups. Our mandate became clear: introduce new talent to the field, connect existing professionals to prevent burnout, and provide security guidance to under-resourced organizations serving our community.
BSides Peoria Launches
Our flagship conference, BSides Peoria, debuted at Bradley University. The event brought together security professionals, students, and community members for presentations and networking across Central Illinois.
BSides Goes Multi-Track
BSides Peoria 2024 introduced its first-ever multi-track conference format, nearly doubling attendance. Professionals and students engaged with simultaneous sessions across diverse security topics.
Hack & Hang Meetups Launched
Responding to community demand for regular gatherings, the ILCF launched monthly Hack & Hang meetups rotating between Peoria, Morton, and Bloomington/Normal. These casual sessions provide hands-on learning, networking, and knowledge sharing opportunities for professionals at all skill levels across Central Illinois.
Community Slack Workspace Launched
The ILCF Slack workspace launched, connecting over 200 Central Illinois cybersecurity professionals for real-time collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The hub provides direct access to security research, event coordination, and peer support across the region.
Record-Breaking Conference
BSides Peoria 2025 became the biggest conference to date with over 250 attendees. We introduced our first-ever keynote speaker, launched the Physical Security Village, and continued two-track programming. With expanded educational programs and community partnerships, the ILCF solidifies Central Illinois as a recognized center of excellence for cybersecurity education and community defense.
Heartland Defense Consortium & Group 1818 Launch
The ILCF officially launches the Heartland Defense Consortium, bringing together regional businesses, healthcare systems, and critical infrastructure partners in a unified defense posture. Simultaneously, Group 1818-- our security research division-- begins operations, dedicated to advanced vulnerability analysis, deep-technical security engineering, and high-stakes research initiatives to help protect Illinois organizations from cyber threats.
Our Guiding Principles
These aren't aspirational statements posted on a wall. These are the principles we live by. Every decision, every dollar, every day. They're what make us the Illinois Cyber Foundation. They're what make us accountable. They're non-negotiable.
Always Learning
Curiosity builds security. Arrogance destroys it. Seek understanding before solutions. Stay humble in expertise. Teach relentlessly.
Mission Over Money
People before profit. Truth before trends. Vendor-neutral means no one owns the message. Elevate others louder than promoting ourselves.
Accountable Always
Trust is built in public. Every decision defensible. Every dollar traceable. Seek feedback that stings. Call out what's broken before it breaks others.
Do the Work
Real capability is earned, not claimed. Rigorous training. Ethical research. Hands-on defense. Theater gets applause. Hard work builds defenders.
Our Governing Authority: The Directors
The ILCF is guided by a dedicated, all-volunteer Board of Directors composed of industry veterans committed to our mission. Our Directors ensure our programs are aligned with real-world industry needs and governance best practices.
Nick Schroeder
Executive Director
Nick is a cybersecurity strategist with extensive experience in threat hunting, adversary behavior, and global intelligence operations. Having served in both the federal government and the private sector, he brings a grounded, dual-perspective approach to defending complex networks.
Nick began his career in the trenches as an incident responder, where he specialized in neutralizing active breaches. He later transitioned into the threat intelligence space, using his deep understanding of attacker methodology to help organizations shift from reactive fixes to proactive defense. His research into state-sponsored actors and cybercriminal syndicates remains a vital resource for public and private sector partners alike.
Today, Nick leads the organization with a focus on practical readiness, ensuring that security teams are equipped to handle an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.
Cody Kretsinger
Executive Director
Cody doesn't just talk about cybersecurity-- he's lived the entire lifecycle, from being the problem to building the solution.
A former black hat hacker who made headlines for the Sony breach, Cody possesses a rare understanding of the adversarial mindset. He has spent over a decade leading Red, Blue, and Purple teams, building SOCs, and navigating high-stakes incident response. His approach is raw, tactical, and battle-tested-- the kind of insight only gained by those who once broke the rules to learn them.
Today, that unique perspective powers his commitment to the community. As a Co-Founder of the Illinois Cyber Foundation, Cody is dedicated to closing the gap between how hackers think and how defenders respond. He regularly speaks with students, aspiring professionals, and community leaders, translating complex threat landscapes into practical, actionable strategy.
His mission with the ILCF is simple: To provide critical education, sharp insights, and real-world training to help Illinois' cybersecurity professionals and students stay ahead of emerging threats.
The Community Engine: Advisors & Volunteers
The ILCF is powered by a robust engine of dedicated volunteers and an expert Board of Advisors who serve as the backbone of our operations. These community leaders do more than just advise; they are the hands-on architects of our flagship events.
The Heartland Defense Consortium
Our corporate steering committee brings together regional businesses, healthcare systems, and critical infrastructure partners in a unified defense posture. These industry partners provide the strategic "signal" that guides our educational "noise," ensuring we train defenders on the threats that actually matter to local infrastructure. We're actively seeking additional partners to strengthen our collective defense.
Driving BSides Peoria & Beyond
Our volunteers are the force behind the region's premier security conference. They lead the technical infrastructure for the Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; design, build, and maintain the hands-on Physical Security challenges; build, organize, and run Social Engineering challenges; organize speaker tracks; and manage the critical logistics that make large-scale events possible.
Hands-On Education
Crucially, our team runs the specialized "Villages" that define our hands-on approach. From the Lockpicking and Physical Entry Village to Hardware Hacking and Career Coaching, these professionals donate hundreds of hours to ensure participants gain tangible, real-world skills.
Year-Round Mentorship
Their commitment to mentorship and workshop facilitation ensures that the ILCF remains not just an organization, but a living, breathing community of practice. Through monthly meetups, Slack engagement, and one-on-one guidance, our volunteers build lasting connections.
Defending Trust: Our 501(c)(3) Accountability
Accountability is non-negotiable. As a federally recognized public charity, we operate with full transparency, strict ethics policies, and a zero-tolerance approach to conflicts of interest. Every dollar raised flows directly back into the mission. No exceptions.
501(c)(3) Non-Profit Status
Federally recognized public charity. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. EIN available upon request.
Fiduciary Oversight
A fiduciary board with independent oversight maintains rigorous financial control and ensures all programs align with our mission. Leadership decisions are data-driven and community-informed.
Mission-Focused Operations
We remain vendor-neutral and focused solely on regional cyber resiliency and talent development. No commercial entanglements, no hidden agendas, just mission execution.
100% Grassroots Reinvestment
Zero executive salaries. Zero profit incentives. Every dollar raised flows directly into BSides Peoria, student scholarships, and educational programming.
Strict Ethics Policy
Zero-tolerance conflict of interest policy. No board member, volunteer, or director may profit from Foundation activities. Annual financial reviews presented at BSides Peoria. Form 990s available upon request.
2025 Impact by the Numbers
45 student scholarships funded. 250+ BSides attendees. 15 community events including BSides Peoria and Hack & Hangs. 100% community-driven.
2025 Transparency Snapshot
Support Education. Secure the Future.
The success of the ILCF is directly tied to the vision and commitment of our community supporters. We invite you to move beyond passive support and directly help us shape the educational programs that will defend our region tomorrow.
Answer the Call