04/07/2026 – last updated

Greetings!

If you’ve read this far, then you’re interested in the DEF CON convention, and you’re looking for information. You want to plan for your upcoming trip. You’ve come to the right place. This post and TheOne! website is trying to bring everything DEF CON together for you.

You can break down DEF CON activities into two categories, DEF CON, and Creators ( formally known as Villages ).

DEF CON – defcon.org has info on these

• FIve DEF CON talk tracks ( TheOne! ) – brief talks 1/2 to 2 hours long
• Workshops ( TheOne! ) – longer, more detailed, hands on, lasting half a day. These have limited seating. These require pre-Registration. They fill up VERY quick and are usually gone within minutes of opening. They have not been announced yet nor has registration started.
• Demo Labs ( TheOne! ) – brief demonstrations for people to show off their project
• Paid Training – 1 to 4 day training sessions the week after DEF CON. There will be an additional cost for these
• Contests ( TheOne!, defcon.org ) – various contests, some before DEF CON, some lasting all 4 days of DEF CON, some short time on stage
• Vendors ( TheOne! ) – something to sell
• Exhibitors ( TheOne! ) – reaching out to show you something
• Communities ( TheOne!, defcon.org ) – a place to gather as a community
• CaptureTheFlag – The year end final rounds for qualifying teams of the CTF being run by Benevolent Bureau of Birds – News Announcement.
• Social Events, Meetups, on stage Music, Parties, etc. ( TheOne! )

Creators/Villages – Each Village has it’s own sources of info, best sources would usually be the villages own Website and social media accounts – View the Village Table for links to these

• Each Village, as it’s name may imply, specializes in a topic or aspect of security or computers
• DEF CON provides space and support for the Villages
• The Villages are NOT run by DEF CON
• The Villages are run and staffed by volunteers separate from DEF CON
• Each Village has it’s own separate Call For Papers and other activities
• Each Village has it’s own web site, social media accounts, and schedule of events/Talks/Parties/CTF/etc. or whatever activities are run by that Village
• Collections of Village Info – ( TheOne!, defcon.org list )

This results in the info you need for planning being all over the place on a multitude of websites. There are 3 sources that I’m aware of that combine all DEF CON, Village, and other events into one list.

Hacker Tracker – Android and IOS – the official DEF CON schedule app
The ONE! – A consolidated DEFCON 34 schedule in multiple formats with files to download – html, PDF, CSV, ICAL, Google calendar
info.defcon.org – the official DEF CON InfoBooth site

None of these have much DC34 info yet, they either aren’t working, have nothing, or have last years info.

You won’t be able to do meaningful schedule planning until June or July and more info starts getting announced.

I’ll be updating this between now and the start of DC34 as things change and get announced. Don’t surprised about last minute schedules being released and changes to existing schedules up to the last day or two before DC34.

 

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FAQ highlights

There’s links to multiple FAQs about attending DEF CON at the bottom of this page, But here’s a few high points that warrant a mention at the top.

• Nothing is as close or quick as you think it is. Just walking across the street or next door can be a 20 minute walk
• You’re going to do a LOT of walking, so bring comfortable and well broken in shoes. There are scooter rental places in Las Vegas for the mobility impaired
• Don’t underestimate how HOT it can get outside at Las Vegas! It can be 110F during the day, and still be 90F at 3am. This is hot enough that it doesn’t matter that it’s a ‘dry’ heat!
• Don’t underestimate how COLD it get in an over air-conditioned conference room. Consider bringing a light jacket or windbreaker to stuff in the bottom of your pack
• Keep hydrated. Always have a water bottle with you to sip from
• 3-2-1 rule. at least three hours of sleep, two meals, and one shower every day
• Don’t try to see EVERYTHING, it’ll never work! You’ll just drive yourself crazy and to exhaustion
• Don’t over plan. Be flexible. If you’re having a good time someplace it’s not always a good idea to rush someplace else
• Remember that many things are recorded and can be watched later on Youtube. Prioritize those activities and things that a once off and not recorded.
• Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to someone. This is a good opportunity to network, meet new people, and learn new things

 

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Current Call Fors

DEF CON and each of the Content creators ( Villages etc. ) is run by volunteers and their content. This is a list of the “Call Fors” where people can submit their idea/proposal.