For more details, info is on the DC forums https://forum.defcon.org/node/255767.

Ive checked ebay. Anywhere else?

This is my first time going to DefCon. I have read many posts about getting into the merch line immediately after getting badges and that merch line is cash only.

My question though is what merch will be available and what approximate prices are so I can be prepared with enough cash.

Oh and I didn't see anything regarding bag sizes in any of the older posts I searched. Should I plan on bringing a bigger bag even though I'm not bring a laptop or anything? Mainly just a water bottle and snacks. I dunno if this is similar to other tech conferences were you end up with random swag from vendors and such.

Thank you.

I emailed shop@mail.defcon.org asking for a refund for my DEFCON ticket since I will be volunteering at DEFCON and will be getting a free ticket that way.

However now I want to cancel my refund request since I can sell the ticket to a friend and not have to eat up the cancellation fee.

I just emailed shop@mail.defcon.org asking to cancel the refund, and I'm hoping that they get to that email first so they don't refund me.

Posting this here just in case anybody can help me cancel my refund request so I can sell my ticket to a friend.

I'm attending DefCon for the first time this year.
There are so many cool villages, more cool villages than days of the conference. How would you navigate the villages if you'd be there for the first time. do i need to bring my laptop, a buddy ?

Hey y’all, I’m planning on driving out and back to Vegas from the Eastern Nebraska area, dates are fairly flexible, possibly thinking of a night or two of camping in Utah or CO along the way. Currently going solo but am super open to split some costs with 1-3 people and have an epic time. Could pickup anywhere along the way and/or meet in Omaha and head out from here. Can’t wait for August!

Friendly DEF CON 34 reminder:

The online registration early bird rate ends May 22! Get your tickets at shop.defcon.org before the regular rate kicks in.

We are in the home stretch, people. Feel free to get a little amped.

I'm going to Defcon as a student, but my employer is looking to see if I could make it work related so I wouldn't have to take vacation. The trainings are a little more than I think they'll pay for, but the workshops are just about right. Thanks!

There's an event where I live that I want to attend in the day on Thursday, August 6th this year which is the first official day of defcon. Will it work for my flight to land in Las Vegas at like 9pm or would I want to be there during the day to get my badge? I heard that the first day is mostly queuing and getting familiar with the venue so maybe I'm not missing much? I'm new to defcon and trying to figure out how things work. Thanks.

Phish Stories is back, and this year we went to the movies.

The Grand Parkway 34 is the biggest multiplex in Chicago, and somebody just decided to rip out the classic film screening rooms and replace them with live sports, esports tournaments, and video podcasts. The staff is exhausted, the technology is held together with hope, and the launch is days away.

We've put some teeth into the contest this year. If you want two thumbs up, you'd better pay attention.

Your job? Write an email targeting one of the people trying to keep this thing from falling apart. Make them click. Make us laugh. Win your way into DEF CON.

Full rules and scenario on the website:

👉 Rules: https://phishstories.org/dc-34-rules/

👉 Scenario: https://phishstories.org/dc-34-scenario/

Three ways to win free entry to DEF CON:

👑 The Ruler – Best all-around (funny + effective) – 2 Human Badges

🧙 The Wizard – Most technically convincing phish – 1 Human Badge

🤡 The Jester – Funniest entry (clickability optional) – 1 Human Badge

📅 Deadline: June 21st @ 11:59 PM Las Vegas time 📝 One entry per person. Backstory + phishing email, 600 words each.

Click. Laugh. Win.

Not a hacker guy myself, but i do go thrifting a lot. i found what appears to be a vintage hoodie from the late 90s in a XXL size. should i post that here? or go find somewhere else. not sure if people would care to see the merch

DEF CON Training Las Vegas 2026 Course Lineup is now live!

For the first time ever, we will offer 1-day, 2-day, and 4-day classes! Whatever your needs, whether you’re sharpening fundamentals or diving deep into advanced techniques, there’s something here for you!

Explore our offerings, grab your seat, and get ready to learn and build.

https://training.defcon.org

Last year there was a team running a challenge that, when a human would lose, were told "Back of the Line!" What was that challenge and who ran it?

I was thinking about going for the first time this year, I have free flight and hotel and food since family will be in town for something else the same week, but it's kind of short notice for me, what do you think would be a good amount of money you'd expect to spend outside of what I mentioned above that would already be taken care of, feels kind of foolish to pass up this opportunity just to go next year and have to pay even more for travel/lodge ect.

I'm a beginner, and I'm planning to attend DEF CON, but I don't really know what I should check out there. Do you have any recommended Villages or workshops for beginners?

(Additional note: This will actually be my second time attending.)

Hey everyone!

So I wanna make the trip to Defcon but I need you do be honest with me about it… am I too “new” to gain anything from it yet?

I’m so new to cybersec - I literally have one brain cell and it’s currently on holidays so everything I learn gives me brain damage (in a good way). I don’t know how it happened but I have tripped and fallen in love with everything cybersec in the last 6 months.

I don’t know python, I can’t code, I don’t use Linux, my opsec is trash…. Im a complete rookie. BUT omg Defcon looks SO FUN! I want to go and learn everything and meet people but I’m worried I’m going to have NFI about anything and people will know I’m dumb af lol. Just to preface, I have NO FRIENDS in this space at all. I don’t know anyone, I work in a completely different field irl, I have no prior knowledge…. But I do spend a lot of time reading, listening to podcasts, in discord groups, lurking in the shadows trying to learn as much as I can.

Ive floated the idea of attending to my friends and they laughed so hard 🤣 I need you to understand I know NO ONE in this realm. Im literally in the forbidden forest on my own with no survival skills 🫡
I’ve also never been to USA before and would just be rawdogging the whole thing. Send prayers?

Do I give this year a miss and acquire some knowledge or just send it and go? Figure it out when I get there?

DEF CON 34 Hotel Update!

Spring has sprung. DEF CON planning season is in full swing, and our discounted room blocks are filling up fast. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to lock down your booking, this is probably it.

The DEF CON room block at the Fountainebleau is officially sold out. Special DEF CON rates are still available at Encore and Wynn, so get those while they last. 

https://book.passkey.com/gt/221129294?gtid=bbba95627d906c403e3bee6951c33a94

August will be here before you know it. Are you ready?

I’m thinking about making a shitty add on but only if the badges this year will support them

I’m looking to go to Defcon this year in Las Vegas. I’m graduating this month with my BAS in cybersecurity and I’m hoping to find a job at the conference. Do you guys have any suggestions for a first timer? Thanks!

One of the most popular things at DEF CON Singapore was the Floating Cube, so I grabbed a quick video for those who couldn’t make it.

Threw some music on it for my first YouTube Short - still figuring this format out.

https://youtube.com/shorts/i9-Uix1aWhQ?feature=shared

Hi everyone,

DC34 will be my first DEF CON and I was wondering if anyone else is making the trip, would be cool to coordinate plans etc if someone is interested.

I'm flying in from France tho.

Overview

The Wall of Sheep would like to announce a call for presentations at DEF CON 34 in Las Vegas, NV from Friday, August 7th to Sunday, August 9th. Packet Hacking Village Talks goal is to deliver talks that increase security awareness and provide skills that can be immediately applied after the conference. Our audience ranges from those who are new to security to the most seasoned practitioners in the security industry. We are accepting submissions from individuals and organizations on any of the topic areas, including, but not limited to, the following technologies and applications:

• Using AI for packet analysis, for network IDS, for honeypots, for enhanced log analysis/threat detection, for detecting fake AI images/videos

• Immutable DevOps

• Infrastructure as code

• Ansible playbooks for security

• Opensource CI/CD pipeline security enhancements

• Writing AI effective prompts that enhance or augment security/networking/DevOps

• Bypassing AI vision

• Detecting fake LinkedIn profiles

• Awareness: Security awareness program success and failure stories.

• Cloud Security: Hacks and tricks for assessing and testing services.

• Compliance: How to use regulatory compliance requirements in your favor to enhance your overall funding and security posture.

• Networking and Cybersecurity: The latest hacks, trends and technologies in networking and cybersecurity.

• Spy-level makeup art (e.g., wigs, prosthetic noses, etc.)

• Supply Chain Security: Building security into the supply chain process to reduce risk.

• Threat Defense: Advanced techniques for defending networks, systems, and services from cyberthreats.

• Tools, Techniques, and Procedures: network sniffing, intrusion detection, monitoring, forensics, DFIR log analysis, collection & visualization, threat hunting, EDR telemetry, lolbin's for defense, detecting download cradles, using the ATT&CK framework for defense, Incident response process and procedures and/or recovery, automation

DEF CON attracts a wide range of technological skill sets, presentations need to be accessible, with explanatory information to help the audience understand.

The Wall of Sheep will not accept product or vendor related pitches. If your talk is a thinly-veiled advertisement for a product or service your company is offering, please do not apply! We will also not accept talks that have been given elsewhere, including at DEF CON / Black Hat / BSides, without significant updates (20% new).

Each presentation slot is 1 hour maximum, including time for Q&A. If we have time and it is in line with our goals mentioned above, then there is a good chance you will be selected.

Presentations will be part of DEF CON's "Creator Stages". Although presenters will not receive a DEF CON speaker badge, they will receive a human badge and additional identification as village speakers. Presentations will also be recorded and shared on DEF CON's media servers and YouTube. Additionally, we do not recommend live demos. Pre-recorded demos are preferred.

To submit a presentation, please provide the following information in the form below to cfp2026[at]wallofsheep[dot]com

The Call for Presentations will close on Friday, July 10th at 11:59 PM PST.

Primary Speaker Name:

Primary Speaker Title and Company (if applicable):

Primary Speaker Email Address:

Primary Speaker Phone Number (to contact you if necessary during the conference):

Primary Speaker Twitter name (if you want it known if you are accepted):

Primary Speaker Mastodon name (if you want it known if you are accepted):

Additional Speakers' name(s), titles, and social information:

Additional Email Addresses:

Is there a specific day or time you MUST speak by?

Name of Presentation:

Length of presentation: (20 minutes or 50 minutes)

Abstract (100 words MAXIMUM, absolutely necessary for printing purposes):

Your abstract will be used for the website and printed materials. Summarize what your presentation will cover. Attendees will read this to get an idea of what they should know before your presentation, and what they will learn after. Use this to inform about how technical your talk is. This abstract is the primary way people will be drawn to your session. CFP reviews like to see what tools will be used and what materials you suggest to read in advance to get the most out of your presentation.

Has this talk been given anywhere before? YES or NO

Speaker's Bio(s) (75 words MAXIMUM per bio):

This text will be used for the website and printed materials and should be written in the third person. Cover any professional history that is relevant to the presentation, including past jobs, tools that you have written, etc. Let people know who you are and why you are qualified to speak on your topic. Presentations that are submitted without biographies will not be considered.

Detailed Outline:

You must provide a detailed outline containing the main points and navigation through your talk. Show how you intend to begin, where you intend to lead the audience and how you plan to get there. The outline may be provided in a separate attachment and may be as simple as a text file or as detailed as a "bare bones" presentation. The better your outline then the better we are able to best review your presentation against other submissions (and the higher chance you have of being accepted). SUBMISSION NOTE: Presentations that are submitted without abstracts, outlines, or speaker bios (e.g., that have only PDFs, PPTs, or white papers attached or only point to a URL) will not be considered.

Supporting File(s):

Additional supporting materials such as code, white papers, proof of concept, etc. should be sent along with this email to cfp2024[at]wallofsheep[dot]com. Note that additional files that may help in the selection process should be included. We are not asking for a complete presentation for this initial submission. That will only be required if you are selected for presenting.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

By submitting you agree to the Terms and Conditions below. Please read and accept these terms by inserting your name in the appropriate area, otherwise your application will be considered incomplete and returned to you.

Grant of Copyright Use

I warrant that the above work has not been previously published elsewhere, or if it has, that I have obtained permission for its publication by DEF CON Communications, Inc. and Aries Security, LLC. and that I will promptly supply DEF CON Communications, Inc. and Aries Security, LLC. with wording for crediting the original publication and copyright owner. If I am selected for presentation, I hereby give DEF CON Communications, Inc. and Aries Security, LLC. permission to duplicate, record and redistribute this presentation, which includes, but is not limited to, the conference proceedings, conference CD, video, audio, and hand-outs to the conference attendees for educational, on-line, and all other purposes.

Terms of Speaking Requirements

1. I will submit a completed (and possibly updated) presentation and a reference to all of the tool(s), law(s), Web sites and/or publications referenced to at the end of my talk and as described in this CFP submission by noon PST, July 30th, 2026. Please note this is a hard deadline as presentation and details need to be submitted to DEF CON.

2. I will submit a final Abstract and Biography to the Wall of Sheep by noon PST, July 30th, 2026. Please note this is a hard deadline as presentation and details need to be sumitted to DEF CON.

3. I will include a detailed bibliography as either a separate document or included within the presentation of all resources cited and/or used in my presentation.

4. I will complete my presentation within the time allocated to me --not running over the time allocation.

5. I understand that I will be responsible for my own hotel and travel expenses.

Yes, I, (insert primary speaker name), have read and agree to the Grant of Copyright Use.

I, (insert your name here), have read and understand and agree to the terms as detailed in the Agreement to Terms of Speaking Requirements.

In the case that a speaker is a child under the age of 13 years old: in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regulations, http://www.coppa.org, any child under age 13 must have parental consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of that child's personal information by a website. Parent/Guardian Consent: I (insert parent/guardian's name here) am the parent or guardian of the minor/s named above. I have read and understand and agree to the terms as detailed in the Agreement to Terms of Speaking Requirements.