“DEF CON is one of those places where you walk in expecting to learn one thing and walk out realizing the possibilities are far greater than you imagined.”
Reaching episode 10 is a milestone worth celebrating, and we couldn’t think of a better way to mark it than with a conversation about DEF CON, the legendary “hacker summer camp.” With Trevor Wilson, Staff Security Engineer at Redox, joining us fresh off the conference floor, we explore what makes this gathering so unique.
Trevor shares that DEF CON is more than just a security conference. It’s a community-driven space where novices and experts alike can find their place. There’s something for everyone, from villages dedicated to aerospace, maritime hacking, and even lock-picking, to self-guided Capture the Flag challenges. What really stood out was the dedication to inclusivity. DEF CON thrives on making the security world more approachable for all. There are women in cybersecurity groups like WISP and hands-on opportunities for curious teenagers.
We also talked about the innovative workshops Trevor attended, including sessions on Kubernetes security and attacking AI models. His insights into the vulnerabilities of image classifiers, like how small changes to a medical scan could cause an AI to misdiagnose, hit close to home for us, given the stakes in healthcare. Add in the DARPA/ARPA-H AI Cyber Challenge that encouraged practical tools for securing critical infrastructure, and the impact of DEF CON becomes undeniable.
Events like DEF CON push us to see beyond our own day-to-day focus. Firewalls and alerts are only a small part of security. It’s also about curiosity, community, and finding new perspectives. Sometimes the best way to strengthen healthcare security is by looking where we least expect.
Episode Resources
Notable Moments
- [02:24] – Trevor explains what DEF CON is and why it’s unique.
- [04:36] – The rise of inclusivity and community groups like WISP and Diana Initiative.
- [06:55] – Villages and Capture the Flag competitions explained.
- [09:22] – A boat inside the Maritime Hacking Village surprises attendees.
- [10:32] – The AI Cyber Challenge: DARPA and ARPA-H host a $4M competition.
- [15:23] – Kubernetes workshops bring practical, take-home lessons.
- [15:48] – Attacking AI image classifiers sparks conversations about healthcare.
- [21:36] – Matt shares why exposure to diverse ideas at DEF CON benefits the Redox team.
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Learn more about the security of the Redox data interoperability platform here.
Contacts
- Matt Mock: [email protected]
- Meghan McLeod: [email protected]