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A few rows further back, a group of cynics kept up a running counterpoint to Alexander's talk. Of course, not everyone was so easily won over. It would be absolutely awesome - even though the pay is nothing." They're trying to protect the country and people. We're trying to protect our corporate IP. "I think it would be thrilling," said the researcher, who asked to remain anonymous. More importantly, from NSA's point of view, he says he would consider checking out the agency's career options. One attendee near the front - a corporate security researcher who specializes in defending against digital espionage - said he came away impressed. Organizers had to turn away hundreds of attendees from the at-capacity conference hall, and the crowd that made it in listened attentively to the general's talk. The audience reaction to Alexander's talk was generally favorable. The NSA would love to learn more about the exploits those CTF hackers are using. "These hackers here are the top of the world," one observer murmured in hushed tones, watching the teams bang feverishly on their computers a few hours after the contest's Friday morning kickoff.Ġ:00 / 2:39 How hackers can steal your debit card info
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The winner will be announced Sunday evening during DefCon's closing ceremonies.Ĭoders from around the globe battle through a series of qualifying rounds to make it to the CTF. In a darkened arena filled with rock music and colored laser lights, 20 competing teams fight for 48 hours to break into each other's servers and steal key information, called "flags," while holding off rival attackers. Hacking is usually a glamorless sport, but Defcon plays up the drama for its famed-in-nerd-circles CTF showdowns. They're competitors in Defcon's "Capture the Flag" battle, a kind of geek Olympics. The NSA is especially keen to draw in people like those holed up in a conference room just 20 feet away from Alexander's presentation, hunched over laptops and takeout cartons.
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This one includes the line: "If you have a few, shall we say, indiscretions in your past, don't be alarmed." It's not your standard government careers page. To hammer the point home, the NSA set up a special recruiting site for the show.
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Related story: Former FBI cyber cop worries about a digital 9/11 "Now we're the ones who have to keep it secure, and I think you folks can help do that." "We're the ones who built this Internet," Alexander said, citing the key role agencies like DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) played in the network's early days. Playing to his audience, Alexander rattled off a long list of tech-industry stars like Vint Cerf and Dave Aitel who did pioneering work on the federal payroll. Those are the kinds of skills the government needs, he said. A hacker group called Ninja Networks set up a private cellular network to chat on during the show - a stunt that drew admiring praise from Alexander during his talk.
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The registration badges alone are a technical feat, featuring a customizable circuit board and cryptographic scavenger-hunt puzzle. At DefCon, they switch to t-shirts and spend the weekend mingling with cryptographers, script kiddies, security researchers and a liberal smattering of military and law enforcement agents - both in and out of uniform.ĭefCon is famed as an elite hacking showcase. DefCon is the older, wilder and far less official sibling of BlackHat, a cybersecurity conference that wrapped up Thursday in Las Vegas.īlackHat draws corporate infosecurity workers in suits. Between 15U, 14U, 12U, and 11U - Defcon won 10 Tournaments, was in the finals in 3 others, and the Final 4 twice.Alexander's appearance is a milestone for DefCon, a hacker mecca with an often-uneasy relationship with the feds. Varsity was a viral hit the whole year, came Top 4 at Battle Miami, was in the Finals in Battle Vegas, and took the W in another championship. 2020 was just another step towards dominance in every age group. 14U took one Championship, were finalists in 3, and a semi-finalist in another. 15U was in 4 of 4 finals, took the trophy in 2. Immediate success arrived once again, placing Top 4 at Orlando, Vegas, and National Pylon Tournaments. 2019 is when McGonigal and crew joined the varsity scene. After breaking off from Florida Fire, they started with just 12U & 15U teams - won the 12U Pylon National Championship that same year. Since its inception, Defcon has been a national power. Born and mobilized in 2018, Founder Chris McGonigal, along with Coaches Robert Ortega, Aaron Strumski, Manny Rivas, Jack Campbell, Norman Campbell, and Andy Waid birthed a rising star on the South Florida football landscape. Lauderdale area for one thing - a chance to join the Defcon1 7V7 program. Nearly 400 South Florida athletes centralize in the Ft.