People learn best when they feel welcome: The Story of Microsoft Security User Group Norway
Re-emerging and Reconnecting: How It All Began This is the third story in the User Group blog series. In 2022, as communities around the world slowly returned to in-person gatherings, many in the tech ecosystem were asking the same question: How do we create spaces where people genuinely want to reconnect? In Norway, where most security events were still held online, a small group of cybersecurity enthusiasts felt the absence of real conversation and shared learning. They decided to change that. The idea was simple: build a space where people could meet, learn, and exchange real experiences — face-to-face. The first Microsoft Security User Group Norway meetup launched in Oslo with over 120 signups. Local speakers shared real-world insights, discussions continued long past the final session, and the energy was unmistakable. “From that first meetup, it was clear — people were ready to be together again.” Microsoft MVP, Craig Forshaw, recalled the moment when a community began to take shape. A Community Built on Inclusivity and Shared Learning Today, the Microsoft Security User Group Norway “Organizers of the Microsoft Security User Group (from left to right), Anders Kristiansen, Haflidi Fridthjofsson, Sanna Diana Tomren, Craig Forshaw & Cody Burkhard” continues to host regular meetups in both physical and virtual formats. All sessions are delivered in English to welcome local professionals, international practitioners, students, and those completely new to security. What makes the group stand out is the atmosphere. Each event blends deep technical content with open conversation, ensuring that everyone — regardless of background — feels comfortable contributing. “People learn best when they feel welcome. Our priority has always been to create a space where everyone feels they belong.” Co-organizer, Anders Kristiansen says. A typical meetup might include expert speakers, live demos, interactive quizzes with community swag, and conversations that spill into hallways, sidewalks, and late-evening coffee shops. But the structure is secondary. The human connection is what keeps the community thriving. Sessions That Evolve With the Security Landscape No two meetups look the same — and that’s intentional. The group explores a wide range of topics, including blue and red teaming, Microsoft Sentinel operations, identity security, cloud and infrastructure protection, DevSecOps, and real-world threat detection. The organizers also host informal post-Build and post-Ignite discussions — opportunities to gather, reflect, and ask: What does this mean for us in practice? The organizing team reflects a diversity of backgrounds and experiences: Craig Forshaw, Microsoft MVP Anders Kristiansen, Microsoft MVP Sanna Diana Tomren, Microsoft MVP Haflidi Fridthjofsson, MVP Alumni now at Microsoft Cody Burkhard, bringing new perspectives to the team “Our different experiences are part of the strength of the group. We learn from each other as much as the community learns with us.” Another co-organizer and Microsoft MVP, Sanna Diana Tomren mentioned. More Than Events: A Platform for Growth and Opportunity Over time, the user group has become far more than a schedule of meetups. It has created opportunities for members — and organizers — to grow in unexpected ways. “This community has given many of us the confidence to speak publicly, share our work more openly, and step into new professional roles.” One of meetup attendees mentioned. Several members have delivered their first talks through the group. Some have gone on to publish technical content, collaborate with peers across industries, and even transition into new roles, including at Microsoft. For the organizers, this journey has also shaped leadership, communication skills, and professional direction. “When the work feels joyful and the community feels like home, you know you’re building something meaningful,” said Haflidi Fridthjofsson, a former MVP now a Microsoft employee. Looking Ahead: Expanding Connections Near and Far The next chapter focuses on collaboration and reach — partnering with other user groups across Norway and globally, welcoming new members, and continuing to create spaces where all voices are valued. The vision remains the same: “We want to continue building a community where people feel welcome, supported, and inspired to keep learning.” Thinking of Starting Your Own User Group? A few reflections from the journey so far: Start with Purpose: Let your motivation guide your event style, format, and outreach strategy. Whether your vision is small coffee shop gatherings or large-scale meetups, clarity helps build momentum. Be Patient and Consistent: Communities grow steadily, not instantly. Focus on creating relevant, well-structured sessions. And don’t be afraid to invite co-organizers—they bring new energy and help sustain the journey. Keep It Fun: When people are smiling, asking questions, networking, and yes—when the pizza arrives on time—community comes alive. Enjoy the process as much as the outcome. We’d also like to give a special thanks to Microsoft Norway for their continued support through venue hosting and sponsorship Stay tuned for the next story in the User Group blog series, where we’ll spotlight another inspiring MVP-led community and the unique ways they’re empowering others through connection and collaboration. If you missed the other posts, check out the stories below: TechNexus: A Best Practice in Building Passion-Driven Tech User Groups Powering Up People: Growing Tech Communities Through UK Dynamics 365 & Power Platform Groups Resources Meetup site: Microsoft Security User Group | Meetup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/msug YouTube: Microsoft Security User Group - YouTube Call for speakers: Microsoft Security User Group 2025: Call for Speakers @ Sessionize.comPowering Up People: Growing Tech Communities Through UK Dynamics 365 & Power Platform Groups
This is the second story in the User Group blog series. In this blog we turn to the UK, home to one of the largest and most active Dynamics 365 and Power Platform communities, to explore how connection and collaboration power lasting growth. The UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups began in the early 2000s when MVP Neil Benson recognized a need for Dynamics CRM users to connect and share experiences. What started as a small gathering has evolved into a national network of 11 user groups with over 9,000 members, guided by an advisory board chaired by MVPs Andrew Bibby and co-chaired by Areti Iles, supported by 24 volunteers—14 of them MVPs. The group hosts more than 30 free events each year, ranging from local evening meetups in Reading, Birmingham, Manchester, and Newcastle to national all-day events featuring Microsoft roadmap updates, workshops, and panel sessions. Each event offers a space for learning, networking, and mentoring across all skill levels—from new professionals to seasoned consultants. Areti’s own journey as the founder of the Reading User Group in 2023 reflects the heart of this community. Wanting to connect locally, she reached out to the UK UG leadership and soon gathered a small team, including MVPs and local professionals, to launch their first event. It wasn’t without challenges—from finding venues to coping with the 50% no-show rate common in free events—but as Areti notes, “Running a user group is not a one-person undertaking. It needs a community to get going and keep going.” The success of the UK User Groups lies not just in the number of events but in the sense of belonging they create. Every detail—from venue accessibility and event timing to speaker collaboration and post-event follow-ups—reflects a shared commitment to inclusion and growth. Areti highlights several practical lessons: Build your team early. Collaboration sustains momentum when challenges arise. Engage and appreciate speakers. Promote their sessions, share their stories, and celebrate their efforts. Keep communication personal. Send reminders, thank attendees, and make everyone feel seen. Make it fun. Add icebreakers, music, or games—community thrives on joy as much as learning. As Areti reminds us, “This is supposed to be fun. If it starts feeling like a second unpaid job, ask for help!” That spirit of openness and collaboration is what makes the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups a true model for community success. The UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups prove that thriving tech communities are built through shared purpose and persistence. Whether you’re an experienced architect, an aspiring speaker, or a first-time attendee, your participation helps the community grow stronger. Join the movement, attend an event, or start your own user group. Visit www.d365ppug.com to get started. Stay tuned for the next story in the User Group blog series, where we’ll spotlight another inspiring MVP-led community and the unique ways they’re empowering others through connection and collaboration. If you missed the first post, check out TechNexus: A Best Practice in Building Passion-Driven Tech User Groups — a look at how a dynamic team in Asia created a model for collaboration and mentorship. Resources Website: d365ppug.com Events: Meetup – D365PPUG Speaker Form: Join as a SpeakerVS Code Dev Days: How Global MVPs and Communities Brought AI-Powered Coding to Life
The VS Code Dev Days series was a global celebration of AI, community, and learning. Designed to reintroduce developers to Visual Studio Code and GitHub Copilot, this pilot program brought together Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals), Microsoft employees, GitHub Campus Ambassadors, and Student Ambassadors. Over two months, 92 events across 36 countries transformed Microsoft offices, universities, and community spaces into innovation hubs. What made this truly special was the collaboration — MVPs and local leaders working hand in hand with Microsoft teams to empower thousands of developers eager to explore the next era of coding. From Toronto to Buenos Aires, Islamabad to Bengaluru, VS Code Dev Days showcased the vibrant spirit of the global developer community. Each region added its own unique energy and creativity. In Toronto, Canada, there were two VS Code Dev Days events by MVP Jack Lee who is leading North Toronto Cloud & DevOps User Group and another MVP Ehsan Eskandari who is leading the Metro Toronto Azure Community and celebrated the power of community-led innovation, “Hosting at Microsoft Canada HQ was incredible. Working closely with the Microsoft team made everything smooth — from logistics to content. The interest in VS Code and Copilot was stronger than ever” said Ehsan Eskandari. & DevOps User Group & DevOps User Group In Bengaluru, India, MVP Mohammed Azarudeen and the TechNexus community hosted over 300 developers at Microsoft’s Bellandur office. “It was a hit! The energy was unlimited,” Azarudeen shared. “Having Microsoft’s venue, content support, and FTE partners like Prasanna Nagarajan made the event seamless. Developers were thrilled about Copilot workflows and MCP integration — so many ‘aha!’ moments” continued Azarudeen. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, MVP Pablo Piovano described the day at the University of Buenos Aires as “a space for knowledge, collaboration, and networking that strengthens and empowers the local tech ecosystem.” ru, India In Islamabad, Pakistan, MVP Hamza Khattak led the city’s biggest developer event of the year. “We had 300+ registrations and 111 attendees — all passionate about AI and Copilot,” he reflected. “Microsoft’s support with content, logistics, and visibility made it feel like a true partnership. Seeing students and professionals code together was inspiring” Khattak continued. In Makati, Philippines, MVP Ziggy Zulueta also led inspiring event with more than 100 attendees. Zulueta said, “We not only demonstrated the basic features of the two platforms, Visual Studio Code and GitHub Copilot, but we also had a hackathon for the participants to test out advanced features of autonomous AI development. The energy and attendance inspire me to hold more events.” Across dozens of cities, organizers echoed the same sentiment — MVPs and Microsoft came together to create great events. Impact and Insights Thousands of developers attended in-person and virtual events with feedback indicating that the majority of participants plan to continue using VS Code with GitHub Copilot, citing its intuitive interface, AI-powered productivity, and integration capabilities. MVPs and local organizers highlighted how Microsoft’s regional support — from providing venues and SWAG to content mentorship — elevated the experience. “Access to Microsoft offices gave our communities credibility and excitement,” said MVP Ehsan Eskandari from Toronto. “Having direct connections with local FTEs created lasting bridges between Microsoft and grassroots communities.” These events also reinforced how global developers are at different stages in adopting AI-assisted coding. Some were using Copilot daily; others were encountering it for the first time. Yet all left inspired and equipped to use AI in their workflows. Ultimately, VS Code Dev Days proved what happens when Microsoft and its MVPs co-create experiences — a ripple effect of learning, curiosity, and empowerment. Call to Action VS Code Dev Days wasn’t just an event series — it was an endeavor of collaboration. Together, Microsoft teams, MVPs, and local user groups helped thousands of developers take their first steps into AI-assisted development. Now, the journey continues with the Microsoft AI Tour — a global event where developers and organizations can explore Microsoft’s latest AI tools, Copilot innovations, and real-world applications. Join us to connect with experts, experience hands-on learning, and see how AI can transform your coding journey. The future of development starts here. Resources Learn more about the MVP Program follow us on MVP Program Website and LinkedInTechNexus: A Best Practice in Building Passion-Driven Tech User Group
This blog is part of a new Microsoft MVP-led Tech User Group Series highlighting the best practices of user groups worldwide. Across regions, user groups are inspiring people, building careers, and shaping the future of technology. Each story we share will spotlight leaders and communities who are proving that passion, collaboration, and inclusivity can change lives. To begin, we are proud to feature TechNexus Community from India—a movement that has reached over 10,000 people through 15 in-person tech events in just six months, and one that continues to set the bar for community-driven impact. The Story of TechNexus Technology is never just about tools; it’s about people who come together to share, learn, and grow. Over the last six months, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing how a single idea—creating a space for authentic learning—turned into something far greater. The TechNexus Community, founded by Microsoft MVPs Vinodh Kumar and Mohammed Azarudeen, began with the vision of bringing people together. Today, it has become one of the most inspiring examples of what user groups can achieve: impact, belonging, and empowerment. TechNexus was founded by Microsoft MVPs Vinodh Kumar and Mohamed Azarudeen, united by a shared belief: knowledge should be shared freely, and impact should come before everything else. With backgrounds in Data & AI, they envisioned something more than meetups. They imagined a platform where professionals, students, and leaders could connect authentically, collaborate openly, and grow together. That vision quickly became reality. In only half a year, TechNexus has hosted 15 in-person events and delivered 64 technical sessions, powered by an incredible line-up of 64 speakers—including 32 MVPs, Microsoft employees, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and technologists. Each speaker brought their unique perspective, turning every session into more than just a talk. They became shared experiences that left participants inspired and empowered. Yet what sets TechNexus apart isn’t scale—it’s authenticity. The community runs on passion alone: no ticket sales, no agencies, no commercial agendas. Every event is organized and supported entirely by volunteers. That often means late nights, personal contributions, and countless hours of planning. But it also means something deeper: a sense of ownership and belonging that can’t be manufactured. This authenticity is why people trust TechNexus. It is why attendees return, why volunteers commit, and why the movement continues to grow stronger month after month. The Impact in Numbers—and Beyond In six months, TechNexus reached over 10,000 people. But the true measure of impact lies not in numbers, but in stories: 💬 “At first, I honestly wasn’t sure how a one-day event could change anything. I came in feeling like a loser with no job and no direction. But I met wonderful people here—techies who were open, supportive, and encouraging. Slowly, my confidence grew. Finally, I landed a good job after months of struggle. For me, that event wasn’t just a day—it was the turning point where I found hope, friends, and a future.” — Aravindh 💬 "From day one I felt included and encouraged to join discussions. Volunteering gave me a chance to give back, and what I love most is how people here share ideas and encourage each other. I’m glad to be part of TechNexus and look forward to contributing and growing with the community." — Lekhashree Y C 💬 "Having recently presented at a TechNexus conference, I was thoroughly impressed by their promptness and professionalism. This community bridges seasoned professionals and emerging talent beautifully. Their events are well-organized, inclusive, and vibrant—a model for others." — Prasanna V Nagarajan 💬 “Becoming a volunteer opened my eyes to the tech world. I’m an introvert, but this community is helping me speak up and grow into a better version of myself. For that, I’m truly thankful.” — Adithi These stories reflect the true success of TechNexus: transforming lives through learning, belonging, and collaboration. What Makes TechNexus a Best Practice Several elements make TechNexus stand out as a best practice for global user groups: Authenticity: Entirely community-driven with no commercial agenda. Inclusivity: Creating space for students, professionals, women, and volunteers alike. Collaboration: MVPs, Microsoft employees, and industry leaders working side by side. Impact-first mindset: Focus on transformation, not transactions. For Microsoft, communities like TechNexus represent the future of learning. They demonstrate that when people come together with passion, consistency, and a shared purpose, even the biggest challenges can be overcome. Call to Action The journey of TechNexus has only just begun. Over the next six months, the community plans to scale further—welcoming more voices, more collaborations, and more opportunities to grow together. For those inspired by this story, there are ways to get involved right now. Visual Studio Dev Days offers opportunities across the globe to join local user group events, explore the power of Visual Studio Code and GitHub Copilot, and connect with communities near you. It’s a great way to take the first step into authentic, in-person learning experiences. And if you’re based in India, you can follow the TechNexus Community and participate in the Skill-Up India program, designed to help students and professionals grow their skills in Azure and AI run by TechNexus. Because at TechNexus—and in every great community—the message is clear: together, we rise. Resources TechNexus Community LinkedIn TechNexus Community | Meetup Skill-Up India Program Visual Studio Dev Days Developer Communities | Microsoft DeveloperSeoul AI Hub & Microsoft MVPs Empower Citizens with AI Skills — No Coding Required
Seoul AI Hub, an AI-specialized support organization under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is dedicated to fostering the city’s AI industry ecosystem through talent development, startup incubation, and public education. In partnership with Microsoft MVPs, the hub is making AI accessible to all through the AI Frontiers Series — blending expert talks with hands-on workshops. “AI is no longer just for experts; it’s a tool for everyone,” says Chan-jin Park, Director of Seoul AI Hub. The collaboration between Seoul AI Hub and Microsoft MVPs demonstrates the transformative power of community-led expertise. MVPs such as Jaeseok Lee, Heo seok, Haesun Park, and Minseok Song brought their technical leadership to the forefront — integrating advanced AI concepts with practical skills that citizens could immediately use. From explaining multi-agent architectures to building custom Copilot solutions, their sessions showed how complex AI tools can be democratized for non-developers. Beyond teaching, these MVPs are active contributors to the global AI ecosystem. Minseok Song maintains the Co-op Translator open-source project, integrating AI-based translation workflows into real-world scenarios. Jaeseok Lee leads Korea’s Power Platform User Group, connecting business users and developers to collaborate on Copilot Studio innovations. This kind of community-driven leadership extends the impact of Microsoft technologies far beyond corporate settings. These events also reflect how the MVP community is growing more diverse in expertise and audience reach. Participants came from varied backgrounds — students, entrepreneurs, office workers, and hobbyists — all united by a desire to understand and use AI meaningfully. For many attendees, this was their first encounter with building AI agents, and the supportive environment encouraged experimentation and collaboration. MVPs not only shared technical knowledge but also their own journeys: how they discovered Microsoft AI, grew into community leaders, and applied their skills to solve local and global challenges. Such stories inspire the next generation of community builders and potential MVPs. AI Frontiers Series Summer Sessions Recent events at the Seoul AI Hub where MVP participated included: July 22 featured a deep-dive seminar on “Open AI Technologies for Survival in the AI Frontier Era,” covering multi-agent strategies, LLM and multimodal trends, and real-world open-source AI applications. Aug 12 brought the AI Agent Bootcamp for Non-Developers, where 80 registered citizens learned to create Copilot agents without code. Participants explored integrating AI agents into Microsoft Teams and M365, building document-driven assistants, and deploying multi-channel solutions. “Copilot Studio allows anyone to build their own ChatGPT-like agent. The key is not just creating one agent, but learning how to design multiple agents that work together to solve real problems,” said Jaeseok Lee, Microsoft Copilot Studio MVP. These back-to-back sessions show what’s possible when technical expertise, open-source spirit, and a commitment to public education come together. The impact extends beyond the events themselves — sparking curiosity, building confidence, and equipping citizens to harness AI in ways that are relevant to their lives and work The AI Frontiers Series proves that when experts and communities connect, technology becomes more inclusive and impactful. By lowering the barrier to AI adoption, Seoul AI Hub and Microsoft MVPs are equipping citizens with skills for the future. To explore upcoming sessions or get involved, visit the Seoul AI Hub website and join the movement to make AI a tool for everyone.YellowHat 2025: A Global Stage for Deep Microsoft Security Insights
YellowHat 2025, held on March 6th, was a landmark event focused on Microsoft Security, drawing together a global audience of professionals and enthusiasts. Hosted at Microsoft's Amsterdam headquarters, the event featured over 150 in-person attendees and 1500+ online participants, all eager to delve into advanced security topics. MVP Myron Helgering and the organizing team shared their insights YellowHat's ideas, motivations and future prospects for the event What inspired you to organize YellowHat 2025? We felt there was a need for something new: an event organized by and for the community, focused solely on Microsoft Security content. One thing was also clear: We wanted it to be a deeply technical event, so level 400+. Our goal was to be visible worldwide, so we chose a hybrid event and focused on delivering a high-quality online and in-person experience. As it was our first edition, we aimed to create an exciting and easily recognizable event. How did you ensure that the content was relevant and immediately applicable to current security challenges? The most important thing was getting the right speakers on board for our event; they had to be top-notch. We selected our speakers based on their expertise, experience, and their ability to deliver engaging and relevant content. Luckily, we could attract visionary leaders and security experts like Raviv Tamir, Roberto Rodriguez, Dirk-Jan Mollema, Mattias Borg, Stefan Schörling, Thomas Naunheim, Ran Marom, and Eyal Haik. In addition to selecting the right speakers, we aimed to tell a cohesive story throughout the day. By interconnecting our deep-dive sessions and zooming out when necessary, we could highlight different security challenges and make the content applicable to a broad audience. How did you manage to attract such a large global audience, both in-person and online? Most of the YellowHat organizers (not all of them) are also organizers for the Dutch Microsoft Security Meetup, which has 2000+ members. We used the power of our community to our advantage, attracting our local in-person attendees and promoting our event globally. To reach the large global audience, we had the help of our international speakers and Microsoft Security MVPs who could promote the event, as well as Microsoft's very own Raviv Tamir and Dan Michelson (YellowHat's founder). Lastly, our very own Ninja Cat with a yellow hard hat mascot was all over the socials for weeks to do our marketing for us. How did the hybrid format (in-person and online) impact the overall experience for attendees? When organizing a hybrid event, organizing suddenly becomes a lot more complex because you have to provide an excellent experience to both online and in-person attendees simultaneously. We engaged our online attendees during breaks by providing them with live interviews and sponsor commercials, while our in-person attendees had time for food, drinks, and networking opportunities. Ultimately, I hope we made the people feel like they were part of that YellowHat experience we were going for by providing them with the same deep technical content, but not prioritizing one experience over the other. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our in-person and online attendees, which reassures us that we are on the right track and motivates us to continue improving the YellowHat experience. What are your plans for future iterations of YellowHat, and how do you envision the event evolving? Even though YellowHat 2025 was already a global event, the in-person attendees mostly visited from the Netherlands. We would love to grow and evolve YellowHat into something that can attract an international audience, which will be a focus of our plans. We haven't officially decided on anything yet, but YellowHat 2026 will definitely happen, and it will be bigger, bolder, and more exciting. How can interested community members get involved in organizing or participating in future YellowHat conferences? If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to get involved, please feel free to contact us using our contact form. If you want to be the first to receive sneak peeks, early announcements, and exclusive insider information then please go ahead and subscribe to our mailing list so you won't miss anything about YellowHat! Why YellowHat? Yellow (Hard) Hats are used by construction workers for "protection and security", which a reference to our work as Microsoft Security Defenders / Protectors. The content at the conference was aligned with that; we're focused on the defensive / preventive side of (Microsoft) security. One of our unofficial sayings at the conference was; wear your yellow hat to prevent cyber threats.
