D-Day at Defcon 20

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This morning marked the launch of the 20^th anniversary of the annual Defcon event. Registration at Defcon is different than at most conferences. Defcon respects the privacy of its attendees so it does not accept preregistration like most conferences. Because of this attendees must show up bright and early to be able to get a badge. Why all of the excitement around getting a badge you might wonder? Well not only does the badge give you access to the event it also contains a complex puzzle. My colleagues and I waited nearly two hours to purchase our badges. Even as we left, the line was just as long as when we started.

Solving the puzzle gives you access to various things. Each year solving the puzzle provides different rewards. Many people team up and work through the night searching for clues and hacking through the associated CD that is provided at entry. Even if you do not partake in the contest the badge still makes a great keepsake. On Friday they will have a discussion to further discuss the build out and strategy around cracking the badge. Those that wish to solve the badge typically attend the discussion as some clues are purposely leaked out.

Through the course of the week I will be in Vegas. Feel free to reach out to me via twitter if you have questions (@robWcam).  I will be writing a daily blog on my experiences and I will also offer a wrap up next week to give you my perspective on the week’s events.