CON 101: How to Security Conference
A survival guide for hacker summer camp, updated for right now
So you’re heading to hacker summer camp. DEF CON, BSidesLV, Diana Initiative, Black Hat, or one of the dozen other cons packed into the same Vegas week. Maybe it’s your first time. Maybe you’ve been before but want to do it better. Either way, this is your no-BS, not-outdated guide to security conference season.
You don’t need a burner phone. You don’t need to do all the things. You do need a game plan and a willingness to go with the flow. Let’s go.
1. Know why you’re going
Pick a primary goal.
Are you trying to learn?
Network?
Compete?
Present and bounce?
Figure it out ahead of time. You won’t get to everything. Knowing your “why” makes it easier to skip what doesn’t serve it.
2. Stop freaking out about your phone
Yes, it’s DEF CON. Yes, people scan the airwaves. No, you don’t need to wrap your phone in foil.
Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you’re not using them. Use a VPN if you care. Keep your phone updated. Don’t click garbage.
That’s it. Move on.
3. Get lost on purpose
You won’t see everything. The con is too big, the villages are scattered, and the schedule will change. That’s part of the fun.
Wander. Sit in on something unexpected. Let yourself get sidetracked. The best stuff isn’t always on the agenda.
4. Say hi to people
Don’t wait for someone to introduce you. Introduce yourself. Ask what they’re into. Nerd out together. Sometimes, you decide to chat instead of attending a session. That’s OK. Most of the talks end up posted anyway.
This is one of the few spaces where it’s totally normal to talk to strangers about firmware or malware or failure.
5. Villages are where it gets good
Talks are great, but villages are where the real hands-on stuff lives. Hardware hacking. Lockpicking. Blue Team. Social engineering. Soldering something strange.
Pick a few villages and actually spend time in them. Don’t just badge-and-dash.
6. Lines suck. Use them.
You’re going to wait in lines. That’s part of the deal. But here’s the trick: use that time to talk.
Everyone around you is into something interesting. Ask questions. Trade stories. It’s easier to make a connection when you’re both stuck waiting for the same thing.
7. The hallway track hits different
Some of the best moments won’t happen in scheduled talks. They’ll happen in hallways, lobbies, stairwells, and sidebars.
If you find yourself deep in conversation, skip the next session. That’s the real con magic anyway.
8. Nightlife is part of the conference
Follow @defconparties. Ask around. You’ll find a party that fits your vibe, whether it’s karaoke, warehouse raves, chill hotel room hangouts, whatever.
Don’t overdo it. Drink water. Don’t try to pitch a product at 2 a.m. in a pool. Just have fun and respect the space.
9. You belong here
Impostor syndrome is real. Ignore it. You don’t need to be elite. You don’t need to know everything.
Be curious. Be kind. Be open. This community is full of weird, brilliant, generous people. That includes YOU.
10. Pay it forward
Once you've been through it, share what you learned. Post a recap. Help someone find the right village. Answer a newbie's nervous question.
Hacker summer camp only works because people keep giving back. Be one of those people. Future you will be glad you did.
Also, read other guides. Seriously.
This isn’t the only DEF CON guide out there, and that’s a good thing. Everyone brings a different perspective, and the more you read, the better prepared you’ll be.
A few worth checking out:
Take what fits. Toss what doesn’t. Build your own approach.
Bonus: What not to do
Don’t take pictures of people without asking
Don’t treat volunteers like staff
Don’t flex in the line for badge pickup
Don’t be weird in the creepy way
Don’t forget deodorant and showering
Don’t forget to eat and hydrate
That’s it. You’re ready. Go have the experience you actually want, not the one you think you’re supposed to have.
And if you see us out there, come say hi. We’ll be the ones handing out thrunting stickers and hyping up the dance floors at night.
Stay safe and happy thrunting!
OMMGGEEZ. How did you know I needed this post?!! 🙏♥️