Preview of Hacker Events: Insights on BSides, Black Hat, and DEF CON

Preview of Hacker Events: Insights on BSides, Black Hat, and DEF CON

Cybersecurity Conferences Take Over Las Vegas: Black Hat USA 2025 and DEF CON 33

Las Vegas, Nevada is playing host to a trio of cybersecurity conferences this week, with Black Hat USA 2025 and DEF CON 33 taking centre stage.

Black Hat USA 2025 focuses on cutting-edge cybersecurity innovations, particularly in the areas of endpoint security, AI-powered incident prediction, and threat defense. The conference features briefings, trainings, and demos showcasing the latest tools and strategies to combat emerging threats such as ransomware and advanced cyberattacks. Notable presentations include deep dives by experts from leading companies like Symantec and Carbon Black, who discuss real-world threat hunting and advanced defense techniques. The event also emphasizes collaboration, networking, and practical security solutions, highlighted by activities like the Splunk AfterParty for security professionals and leaders to connect.

On the other hand, DEF CON 33 (August 7–10, 2025) takes a different approach, focusing strongly on the hacker community ethos, hands-on learning, and radical transparency. Key topics include AI-enhanced threat detection, quantum-safe encryption, and open-source software security. The conference features deep technical talks on offensive security, exploit research, car hacking, social engineering, and lockpicking, as well as many specialized "villages" focusing on diverse security areas.

Black Hat's main conference days are August 6 and 7, with training sessions in IT skills starting on August 2. The opening keynote at Black Hat will be a farewell address from Mikko Hyppönen, who is quitting the industry to work on drones. Meanwhile, DEF CON, located at the Las Vegas Convention Center, has its own Network Operations Center (NOC) and displays poor security practices on the infamous Wall of Sheep.

Several speakers at Black Hat will be discussing the use and misuse of bots, while DEF CON is known for its party scene and inclusivity, with a strict code of conduct and kids-only sections for fledgling hackers. Government officials, including Bailey Bickley, the NSA's head of Defense Industrial Base protection, will be giving talks on policy and practice in the field.

BSides Las Vegas, running from Monday to Wednesday, is the first conference of the week and is the largest of over 200 BSides security conventions held annually. The conference's NOC is staffed by volunteers who scan networks for suspicious activity using state-of-the-art hardware. If someone's security is found to be egregiously poor or they have malware on their system, they will be approached privately by the NOC operators to address the issue. The Expo Business Hall at the current conference offers networking opportunities and has recruiting booths from government agencies.

The password track at BSides Las Vegas is a key theme this year, with a specific three-day schedule dedicated to finding solutions to password security challenges. A presentation on a custom rig used to crack 936 million passwords with 92 percent accuracy is scheduled for Monday at 1700 PT. Stacey Schreft, the former deputy director for research and analysis at the US Treasury Department's Office of Financial Research, will give an informative talk on Tuesday at 1130 PT about the potential for security problems to trigger the next financial crisis.

The Booth Crawl at the Expo Business Hall on Wednesday between 1600 and 1700 PT is a free event with food and drink, but can become crowded. DEF CON, started in 1993, hosts tens of thousands of visitors and features hacking and gaming competitions, talks, and over 30 "villages" dedicated to various topics. Most of the talks at DEF CON focus on hacking vulnerabilities, interesting ways to crack systems, and war stories that advise on what not to do.

In summary, Black Hat USA 2025 and DEF CON 33 represent the cutting-edge and cultural heart of cybersecurity this year in Las Vegas, offering a unique blend of technical expertise, collaboration, and counterculture.

| Conference | Key Themes | Notable Features/Presentations | |--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | Black Hat 25 | AI-powered incident prediction, endpoint/network security, threat hunting, ransomware defense | Briefings by industry leaders (Symantec, Carbon Black), demos, exclusive networking events like Splunk AfterParty | | DEF CON 33 | AI-enhanced detection, quantum-safe crypto, open-source security, offensive hacking techniques | Talks & workshops on exploits, social engineering, car hacking, strong community culture, "villages" on specialized topics |

1. The Splunk AfterParty at Black Hat USA 2025 is an exclusive networking event for security professionals and leaders, showcasing practical security solutions and fostering collaboration.
2. DEF CON 33, held from August 7–10, 2025, features deep technical talks and workshops on various hacking techniques and specialized topics, such as car hacking and social engineering.
3. Black Hat USA 2025 demonstrates the latest innovations in AI-powered cybersecurity, including incident prediction and advanced threat defense, through briefings and demos.
4. The Booth Crawl at the Expo Business Hall during DEF CON offers networking opportunities, free food and drink, and a chance to explore over 30 'villages' dedicated to diverse security topics.
5. A presentation on a custom rig used to crack 936 million passwords with 92% accuracy is a key attraction at the password track during BSides Las Vegas.
6. Government officials, including Bailey Bickley, the NSA's head of Defense Industrial Base protection, will be discussing policy and practice in the field at Black Hat USA 2025 and DEF CON 33, highlighting the importance of privacy and cybersecurity in the tech industry.

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