Capture the Flag (CTF) is perhaps the best known of these contests and is a hacking competition where teams of hackers attempt to attack and defend computers and networks using software and network structures. Other contests, past and present, include lockpicking, robotics-related contests, art, slogan, coffee wars, scavenger hunt, and Capture the Flag.

Contests held during the event are extremely varied and can range from creating the longest Wi-Fi connection to finding the most effective way to cool a beer in the Nevada heat. The event consists of several tracks of speakers about computer- and hacking-related subjects, as well as cyber-security challenges and competitions (known as hacking wargames). The first DEF CON took place in June 1993 and today many attendees at DEF CON include computer security professionals, journalists, lawyers, federal government employees, security researchers, students, and hackers with a general interest in software, computer architecture, hardware modification, conference badges, and anything else that can be 'hacked'. Having declared a Code Red, we wonder how that equated to theĭefense Readiness Condition, better known as the 'Defcon'ġ is the maximum state of military readiness, with all out The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.DEF CON (also written as DEFCON, Defcon or DC) is a hacker convention held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada. Thermo-nuclear war imminent, Code Red (or white) leading to World The DEFCON level is controlled primarily by the U.S. Secretary of Defense through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Combatant Commanders, and each DEFCON level defines specific security, activation and response scenarios for the troops in question.ĭifferent branches of the U.S. Navy, Air Force) and different bases or command groups can be activated at different defense conditions.

There is no single DEFCON status for the country, as they are decided on an individual basis by respective branches of the military.ĭEFCONs should not be confused with similar systems used by the U.S. Military, such as Force Protection Conditions (FPCONS), Readiness Conditions (REDCONS), Information Operations Condition (INFOCON) and its future replacement Cyber Operations Condition (CYBERCON), and Watch Conditions (WATCHCONS), or the former Homeland Security Advisory System used by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

What level defcon are we at