CovertSwarm at DEF CON 32: Insights from the Swarm

DEF CON has a long-standing reputation for bringing the best of the cyber industry together in one epic convention. With hands-on hacking challenges, technical workshops, insightful talks, and security competitions, it provided attendees with various opportunities to sharpen their skills and connect with other ethical hackers.

However, as some of our Swarm discovered after their first DEF CON, the range of activities is for everyone, from beginners to seasoned experts, making it a unique and invaluable experience for everyone in the cyber security community.

We caught up with some of our team members to listen about their overall experience at DEF CON 32 and what they took away from the event.

HACKERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

DEF CON is an event every ethical hacker should experience at least once. It’s a melting pot of talent, from students to seasoned professionals and industry leaders. Networking happens in the most unexpected places and across all levels of expertise.

Louis Blackburn, Our Swarm Director, said, “I did loads of research and reading up on the events prior to my first DEF CON, but nothing quite prepared me for the reality of seeing so many people in one place with so much expertise. The range and breadth of experiences was incredible! You could tell there was a huge group of like-minded people that were so keen to learn—it felt like a perfect fit for all the Swarm members attending from CovertSwarm.”

One thing that stood out for our team was the diversity of the attendees. There was an inclusive mix of people, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Newcomers might expect an intense or intimidating atmosphere, given the “hacker” stereotypes, but the reality was quite different. The event was inclusive and positive, with a wide range of people from different backgrounds—the LGBT community and individuals from various cultural backgrounds. This diversity was a refreshing reminder that cybersecurity is a field that welcomes everyone, regardless of who they are.

A CHANCE TO LEARN AND GROW

The sessions and talks at DEF CON are as varied as the people attending them. One talk that really resonated with Ellie Lancaster, our Head of People and Culture, was Hacker vs. AI, a trending topic among cyber professionals. The speaker, who had a background in both government and AI, made complex topics accessible and engaging. Ellie said: “They made references to Mission Impossible! Even the non-technical members of our team could follow and learn”.

With so much on offer, it’s easy to feel like you need to see everything, but the advice from Ellie is clear, pace yourself, “There’s a lot to see—don’t try to do everything. A lot of it is also recorded, so you can catch up later.”

The real value of DEF CON, though, lies in its ability to challenge preconceived notions. Ellie added, “I was surprised that a lot of things at the stands and villages were about improving technology and making security better. DEF CON isn’t just about hacking for hacking’s sake; it’s about using these skills to make the world a safer place.”

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO TEST YOUR SKILLS

For those who thrive on hands-on experiences, DEF CON offers a variety of opportunities. The capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions were a highlight, challenging hackers with a variety of skills. And for the less technically minded members, there were competitions such as a tin-foil hat contest – with a twist. It wasn’t just based on the aesthetics of the hat (although points were awarded for creativity). The competition was about how solid the hat was, and the hat that showed the most signal attenuation after the test scans was the winner.

 

Louis said, “My highlight was definitely seeing some of the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) setups—there were a number of stands looking to get people interested, and I spoke to a number of people who were there to learn and try hacking into an ICS. I realized this was a huge benefit of DEF CON—it gives you the chance to ‘try out’ so many new things under one roof. I loved my experience at DEF CON—and can’t wait for the experience next year!”

BUILDING CONNECTIONS AND STRENGTHENING BONDS

DEF CON is more than just a convention; it’s a community. From the moment you arrive, it’s about connecting with others, whether that’s through swapping stickers or LinkedIn information.

Ellie said, “It’s about the people, not just the latest trends in cybersecurity. For our team, DEF CON was also an opportunity to strengthen internal bonds. Meeting in person added another layer to the experience. It was great to have proper chats and build relationships in a different setting.”

Jack added, “For me, the highlights were spending quality time with the team, watching them take part in the various events and Capture the Flags, and really embracing the DEFCON experience. I enjoyed some great war story talks and spent most of my time getting involved in the various villages. Handing out our YOU DESERVE TO BE HACKED ™ stickers in the line for the Darknet Diaries party was especially fun, and seeing all the people wearing our pin badges the next day made it all worth it.”

FINAL THOUGHTS: LOOKING AHEAD

In the end, DEF CON 32 was an absolute success on all fronts for our Swarm. It challenged our knowledge and expertise, connected us with new people, and gave us the opportunity to catch up with one another.

Our CEO, Anders Reeves, also added, “This year’s BlackHat and DEFCON week was a busy one for CovertSwarm, with us actively involved in recruitment and commercial prospecting at the highest levels on record. Our YOU DESERVE TO BE HACKED ™ message continued to prove both attractive and provocative to the cyber community. All of whom we spoke to loved our unique attack formula of manual ethical hacker + automated machine support and avoiding the buzzword ‘AI soup’ that so many vendors seemed to be relying on this year. Another great success and a testament to the fresh and impactful approach our Swarm brings to our clients each and every day.”

Whether you’re a seasoned hacker or just starting out in cybersecurity, DEF CON offers an unparalleled experience that’s worth every minute. If you get the chance to go, don’t hesitate—you’ll come away with new knowledge, new connections, and a renewed passion for the cyber security world. If you go next year, try to find our Swarm members and learn the incredible war stories from top experts.