Every year, the TryHackMe team gathers for our highly anticipated company retreat in a luxury location fully paid for by our wonderful Co-Founders, Ben and Ashu. These retreats are instrumental in fostering collaboration, aligning our vision, and driving the innovative ideas that fuel our continued growth and success.
It’s a time for us to connect in person, strategise, relax, and build stronger bonds. As a fully remote company, it’s rare that we all have the time to come together and evaluate the impact we’re creating for our community of over 3.5 million.
This year, we were fortunate enough to be whisked away to the stunning island of Sardinia, Italy, with around 70 of us travelling from over 30 countries worldwide!
Whether you're considering a career at TryHackMe or just curious about what your favourite cyber security training platform has been up to, you’ll definitely want to keep reading!
Day One: Arrival & Welcome Presentation
On day one, all 70 of us landed in the beautiful city of Cagliari! We gathered for our welcome presentation, thrilled to finally see our colleagues in person—some for the very first time. The presentation outlined how everyone could make the most of the retreat, celebrated our 2024 accomplishments, and shared notable stories from the year.
We then had some free time, before heading down to the beach for a relaxing dinner on the seafront.
Day Two: Interview with Chrissy Ford & Survival Fun
On day two, we were joined by Chrissy Ford, a TryHackMe power user who had very recently secured her first role in cyber security after transitioning from a career in nursing. Chrissy only joined TryHackMe around a year ago, so we were truly inspired to hear about her progress and determination in the field and the impact TryHackMe has made in this transition. You can check out Chrissy's success story here!
The morning concluded with an inspiring session from Ben and Ashu, where they shared TryHackMe’s vision for the next three years, focusing on key projects and reinforcing the overarching mission for our users.
In the afternoon, the team headed to the beach for some exciting team-building activities centred around survival skills. Our main challenge was raft-building, where we split into teams and had to construct seaworthy rafts, pushing us to think creatively and adopt engineering mindsets while working together to figure out the best design.
There was a lot of trial and error as we tested different strategies, all while the clock was ticking! In addition to raft-building, we engaged in other beach games that challenged us physically and mentally. It brought out our inner Bear Grylls and reminded us that teamwork and patience are key to overcoming challenges!
The day concluded with an off-site beachside dinner, enjoying the best of Sardinian cuisine against the backdrop of the sunset!
Day Three: Motivational Guest Speaker & Beach Party!
On day three, we were joined by Colin MacLachlan, a motivational guest speaker and former member of the SAS. Colin’s talk painted a vivid picture that drive is one of the reasons you win — an ethos TryHackMe abides by.
This was followed by insights from Cami Ragano, Head of Marketing at TryHackMe, on the marketing team's mission and how we will continue to collaborate cross-functionally with other departments to bring you the very best offering. The session then concluded with an AMA with the senior leadership team!
In the afternoon, we had free time on our very own private beach with full access to canoes, paddleboards, pedal boats, volleyball, RIB boats, and plenty of inflatables for those who were daring enough to try!
After a brief ride in a buggy, we arrived at our dinner location, where we were treated to a live cooking show and watched our meal being prepared right before our eyes.
Day Four: Team Brainstorming, Activities, and Awards Ceremony
Although the retreat was packed with fun and relaxation, it also provided valuable time to come together and strategise for the future of TryHackMe. On day four, we gathered in our individual departments to brainstorm and harness the creativity that comes from being in a beautiful, relaxed setting.
We continued the day with fun department activities, consisting of bowling, padel, biking along the coast, and exploring the archaeological site in Nora.
As our final night, the retreat concluded with an awards dinner, recognising standout staff members who have really made a difference! During our celebratory dinner, the management team took the time to acknowledge particular team members’ contributions, reinforcing the sense of community that makes TryHackMe such a unique place to work. It really has been a year of incredible growth!
Day Five: Travelling Home
On the fifth and final day of the retreat, we gathered for a final breakfast before embarking on our journeys home, excited for the next time we’ll be together again!
Whether you’re a long-time user of the platform or someone considering a career at TryHackMe, you can be sure that behind the scenes, there’s a dedicated team working hard—and having a lot of fun along the way—to create the best cyber security training experience possible!
If you’ve ever wondered what life is like at TryHackMe or are interested in joining our team, there’s never been a better time to get involved. We’re always on the lookout for passionate, innovative individuals to help us shape the future of cyber security education.
Who knows—maybe next year, you’ll be joining us!
Ben Spring