DEF CON
One of the world's largest and most iconic hacker conventions, built by and for the security community.
Dates
August 6–9, 2026
Venue
Las Vegas Convention Center
Attendance
~30,000 attendees
Frequency
Annual
Overview
DEF CON is among the oldest and largest hacker conventions on earth, convening each August in Las Vegas. A celebration of hacking culture, it features talks, hands-on Villages, capture-the-flag competitions, and a famously community-driven atmosphere.
The Villages — dedicated spaces for everything from car hacking to lockpicking, voting machines, and aerospace — are the heart of the experience, offering hands-on learning you can't find anywhere else. DEF CON immediately follows Black Hat, and many security professionals attend both back to back.
Known for its cash-only, privacy-first ethos, DEF CON draws tens of thousands of hackers, researchers, and enthusiasts to the city for cybersecurity week.
Who Attends
Hackers, security researchers, students, hobbyists, and cybersecurity professionals.
Highlights
- ◆Hands-on Villages covering dozens of security specialties
- ◆World-class capture-the-flag competitions
- ◆Talks from leading researchers and the community
- ◆A legendary, community-built culture
- ◆Directly follows Black Hat for back-to-back cybersecurity week
Insider Tips
- ◆On-site registration is cash only — bring cash
- ◆Practice strict device and network hygiene throughout
- ◆Villages and contests are the real highlight — explore widely
- ◆Lines for popular talks form early; arrive ahead of time
Attending DEF CON?
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Information verified October 22, 2026. Dates and details are reviewed and updated automatically each month.