The Blockchain was defined in a paper by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008, documenting how electronic cash could change hands without trust or the two parties knowing each other. The first block in the blockchain – and the first bitcoins – were mined in January 2009. Fast forward to 2018, and blockchain is the buzzword of the moment – everyone wants to know how it will impact our lives and disrupt traditional businesses. Yet many people do not fully understand what it is or how it works. With this topic we’ll focus on understanding the fundamental principles of the blockchain, examine the current state of affairs, and then look at what the future may hold. Practical sessions to get you started will complement talks about how the blockchain can be used for things other than just exchanging cash. And of course, we’ll look at the issue of utmost importance: security.