Post DEF CON 31 Thread

[mattwein]

Now that DEF CON is over there has been some great recaps of the exciting content we had in the Policy @ DEF CON spaces. Feel free to read some of the reporting here. And there was a survey link that I am sure some of you filled out during DEF CON, but you can also leave your feedback about our content or other parts of Policy @ DEF CON in this thread.

Let's start with this brief recap from Politico's Cybersecurity Weekly Newsletter.

[mattwein]

There was also this write up from The Messenger on the Policy @ DEF CON session where community stakeholders worked with CISA and others to provide input and edits to a draft Secure by Design document aimed at private sector-developed technology.

[mattwein]

The NY Times had a good write-up of the AI Red Team Challenge in the AI Village and the government's role and interest in it-- particularly from the White House.

[RalphWrecked]

I attended as Press and followed the Rules. Note the NYT article cited here on the AI hack contest by Sarah Kessler included an unauthorized photo she or an accomplice took of the computer screen. It reveals facts of the contest and questions. That photo is Expressly prohibited by DefCon policy and the NDA that all contestants, myself included, were required to sign. I followed the rule and did not do so. This sucks in the competitive world of event writing.

Since it as now been published by the NYT, it is public knowledge and so IMO, I am free to use as as previous disclosed. Working on article now. DefCon Goons, Press managers, AI Village,m if you disagree, please advise.

Will DefCon press dare to ban NYT reporters from attending next year, as they threatened they would do to any Press rule breakers, or are NYT reporters, like some politicians. Above the Law?
My bet is the later. We'll see.

Ralph Losey

[RalphWrecked]

Revised, expanded comment - I attended as Press and followed the Rules. Note the NYT article cited here on the AI hack contest by Sarah Kessler included an unauthorized photo she or an accomplice took of the computer screen. The NYT attributed the photo to "Mikayla Whitmore for The New York Timesfor The New York Times." It reveals facts of the contest and questions. That photo is Expressly prohibited by DefCon policy and the NDA that all contestants, myself included, were required to sign. I followed the rule and did not do so. This sucks in the competitive world of event writing.

Since it as now been published by the NYT, it is public knowledge and so IMO, I am free to use as as previous disclosed. Working on article now. DefCon Goons, Press managers, AI Village, if you disagree, please advise. Samde question to you New York times, Mikayla Whitmore for The New York Times, and Sarah Kessler for the NYT. What say you all? If you had permission, then fine I am wring, but then DefCon, DefCon Press and the AI Village are wrong to give the NYT reporters privileges that other reports did not. Did they even sign the NDA that everyione else was required to sign? Many questions, but I bet I get ghosted.

Will DefCon dare to ban NYT reporters from attending next year, as they threatened they would do to any Press rule breakers, or are NYT reporters, like some politicians. Above the Law?
My bet is the later. Although that is obviously Bad Policy! We'll see.

Ralph Losey

[Martin McKeay]

Good morning Ralph,

I don't think this thread will get you the answers you're looking for. The thread is about the policy track at Defcon, as opposed to the policies of Defcon. I've attended Defcon a dozen times as Press, and yes, the big name organizations to appear to get preferential treatment. But in my experience in the press room, they are briefed by the staff and generally ask permission before taking pictures in public areas. Those groups tend to have a minder who reminds them of the rules, but that's not always the case.

I no longer attend as press, so I have no further insight into the specific concerns you've voiced. It's worth asking the Defcon PR team directly about if it still concerns you.

Martin, Former blogger, podcaster

[number6]

Revised, expanded comment - I attended as Press and followed the Rules. Note the NYT article cited here on the AI hack contest by Sarah Kessler included an unauthorized photo she or an accomplice took of the computer screen. The NYT attributed the photo to "Mikayla Whitmore for The New York Timesfor The New York Times." It reveals facts of the contest and questions. That photo is Expressly prohibited by DefCon policy and the NDA that all contestants, myself included, were required to sign. I followed the rule and did not do so. This sucks in the competitive world of event writing.

Since it as now been published by the NYT, it is public knowledge and so IMO, I am free to use as as previous disclosed. Working on article now. DefCon Goons, Press managers, AI Village, if you disagree, please advise. Samde question to you New York times, Mikayla Whitmore for The New York Times, and Sarah Kessler for the NYT. What say you all? If you had permission, then fine I am wring, but then DefCon, DefCon Press and the AI Village are wrong to give the NYT reporters privileges that other reports did not. Did they even sign the NDA that everyione else was required to sign? Many questions, but I bet I get ghosted.

Will DefCon dare to ban NYT reporters from attending next year, as they threatened they would do to any Press rule breakers, or are NYT reporters, like some politicians. Above the Law?
My bet is the later. Although that is obviously Bad Policy! We'll see.

Ralph Losey

If you would like to provide ffeedback fro DEF CON 31, check out:
https://forum.defcon.org/node/247439

On reddit, there appears to be a few places for feedback:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Defcon/comm.../2024_changes/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Defcon/comm.../2024_changes/