June 9, 1993
DEF CON hacker conference begins
The first DEF CONThe world's largest hacker convention — security research, talks, and contests in Las Vegas. opened on June 9, 1993 in Las Vegas — a party for hackers that grew into the world's largest underground security conference.
What it was for
Jeff Moss (Dark Tangent) invited phone phreaks and BBS sysops to the Sands Hotel; thirty years later DEF CONThe world's largest hacker convention — security research, talks, and contests in Las Vegas. hosts tens of thousands of researchers, CTF competitors, and vendor booths. Talks on ATM jackpotting, car hacking, and election security start here before they hit mainstream news — the cultural bridge between warez kids and professional red teams.
Why it's here
DEF CONThe world's largest hacker convention — security research, talks, and contests in Las Vegas. became the annual reunion of hacker culture turned security industry.
Why it mattered
It normalized responsible disclosure and recruited talent into corporate security roles.
What it solved
Hackers lacked a legitimate venue to meet, compete, and share research without prosecution.
Media
ImageDEF CONSamsonswiki, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Related
- Phrack hacker zine first publishedNovember 17, 1985
- 2600: The Hacker Quarterly first publishedJanuary 1984
- Heartbleed OpenSSL vulnerability disclosedApril 7, 2014