EFF team is excited to be back at the Las Vegas hacker summer camp conferences— BSidesLV, Black Hat USA, and DEF CON 31. These conferences provide an important platform for the EFF to connect with the infosec and hacker community, who play a critical role in enhancing privacy and safety on the internet for all users. With a week full of events, the EFF aims to support computer security researchers and tinkerers.
To ensure attendees have the necessary legal support, EFF staff attorneys will be present throughout the conferences. If there are any legal concerns regarding upcoming talks or sensitive infosec research, attendees can reach out to info@eff.org to outline their issues and receive guidance. The EFF has a longstanding commitment to defending and advocating for technologists, as well as offering legal counsel through their Coders’ Rights Project.
In addition to legal support, EFF staff members will be available in the expo areas of all three conferences. Attendees are encouraged to stop by the EFF tables to discuss the latest developments in online rights, join the action alert list, or even become an EFF member by making a donation. To commemorate DEF CON 31, the EFF will also have limited-edition shirts with a puzzle incorporated into the design, giving attendees an opportunity to test their skills at cracking it.
In terms of presentations, the EFF has a strong lineup of staff members who will be sharing their expertise. At Black Hat USA, the EFF will host the “Ask the EFF Panel” featuring Rory Mir, Associate Director of Community Organizing, Hannah Zhao and Mario Trujillo, Staff Attorneys. This panel session will take place on Thursday, August 10 from 11:20 AM to 12:00 PM at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
At DEF CON 31, the EFF will be involved in several presentations. The first is titled “UN Conventional Cybercrime: How a Bad Anti-Hacking Treaty is Becoming Law” presented by Katitza Rodriguez, Policy Director for Global Privacy, and Bill Budington, Senior Staff Technologist. This presentation will take place on Thursday, August 10 at 11 AM as part of the War Stories sessions.
Another DEF CON 31 presentation by the EFF is “The Hackers, The Lawyers, And The Defense Fund” led by Hannah Zhao, Surveillance Litigation Director. This presentation will take place on Friday, August 11 at 9:30 AM as part of the Track 3 Forum.
Cooper Quintin, Senior Staff Technologist at the EFF, will present “Tracking the Worlds Dumbest Cyber-Mercenaries” on Friday, August 11 at 2 PM in the War Stories session at Harrah’s.
Moreover, the EFF will host an “Ask the EFF” session at DEF CON 31 on Friday, August 11 at 8 PM in the Track 3 Forum. This session will feature Corynne McSherry (Legal Director), Hannah Zhao and Mario Trujillo (Staff Attorneys), Rory Mir (Associate Director of Community Organizing), and Cooper Quintin (Senior Staff Technologist).
Furthermore, Corynne McSherry (Legal Director) and India McKinney will present “Reproductive Justice in the Age of Digital Surveillance” on Saturday, August 12 at 4:30 PM at the Track 3 Forum.
Apart from presentations, the EFF is organizing a Benefit Poker Tournament at DEF CON 31, where attendees can participate and support the organization’s mission to protect online privacy and free expression for all. The poker tournament will take place during the conference, allowing participants to compete while contributing to a good cause.
Lastly, on Saturday, August 12 at 6 PM, the EFF will host a Tech Trivia Contest at DEF CON 31. Attendees can showcase their knowledge of digital security, online rights, and internet culture, competing for the First Place Tech Trivia Cup and EFF swag pack.
Overall, the EFF’s participation in these hacker summer camp conferences demonstrates its commitment to supporting computer security researchers and fostering a community dedicated to enhancing privacy and safety on the web. With a range of presentations, activities, and opportunities for engagement, the EFF aims to empower attendees and make meaningful contributions to the field of cybersecurity.