Not an event but an Idea..

[Kenderkin17]

I know this is like the programmers/techie's heaven, so I was curious if anyone has ever contacted a few outside organizations about sponsoring it in a sense. Like for instance bawls or something? I'm pretty sure it's been done just checking because well.. I am a newbie to all of this fun stuff. Thanks ahead of time for the flames that I don't and do receive. I'm positive I deserve at least 5.

[hackajar]

DefCon reginizes (IMHO) that it already is too main stream. They have been trying to get back to their punk roots as of late- See end of DefCon speech from DT. I don't think main stream sponsorship is what the DC crew wants.

I'm not directly associated with DC, short of a couple of talks, but this is what I sense attending from the height (DC 8) to present.

[Kenderkin17]

Ah sorry then. I haven't mentioned anything nor would I ever make a move to do so without explicit instructions. I'll just fade back now. Thanks for pointing out my mistake.

[TheCotMan]

I know this is like the programmers/techie's heaven, so I was curious if anyone has ever contacted a few outside organizations about sponsoring it in a sense. Like for instance bawls or something?

The entire DefCon event is not really associated with sponsorship, but there are specific events that are located *at* DefCon that are sometimes sponsored. People who have good standing with community members, and the time, energy, and ambition to work to set up a new contest, or maybe event at DefCon and get it okayed have been known to get sponsorship.

Sponsorship (of events) can be as simple as providing prizes, or certificates to winners of competitions, or more than that.

There is a thread where this is discussed in the DC12 wrapup (I think.)

[KeLviN]

speaking as someone who won 20$ in cash and a 128meg usb drive due entirely to sponsorship of contests, i think that even the sponsorship of contest winners isnt entirely appropriate. while i do like that intrest in defcon contests is peaked at the thought of prizes ($1500 in prizes for the wifi shootout winners), i get a dirty feeling that the sponsored prizes slightly cheapens the victory....

summary, i'm against sponsorship in any form at defcon.... but not adamently.

[TheCotMan]

summary, i'm against sponsorship in any form at defcon.... but not adamently.

I can see some advantages to this (contests without sponsors)
* People are competing for the sheer joy of it, recognition, popularity, spotlight
* And the kind of people who compete as a result of the above
* Which will likely mean more "hacker-types" would be involved vs "non-hacker-types"

Disadvantages to eliminating sponsorship in events:
* Potential for lack of desire, and limits to the number of entries

Advantages of sponsors:
* Generate desire to compete among the population by offering nice prizes.
* More competition can mean more entries and greater chances to see more techniques

Disadvantage of sponsors:
* Encourage more non-hacker types to compete
* Some "hacker-type" may choose not to compete for political reasons (feels like "selling out", dont like the sponsor, etc.)

[LosT]

Honestly I could care less if there were sponsors or not.

Well, as long as it's not Walmart.



LosT

[hackajar]

I got my eye on one prize, and only one - The Black DefCon Badge - With that said...

Receiving box of goodies was not even expected, when my team came in second, at DC12 Scav hunt. It was cooler to win box of misc stuff, not knowing it was coming! Bonus feature of prize box: scraching airplane inflatable life vest off my "things to buy" list :) :)

[Tierra]

Receiving box of goodies was not even expected, when my team came in second, at DC12 Scav hunt. It was cooler to win box of misc stuff, not knowing it was coming! Bonus feature of prize box: scraching airplane inflatable life vest off my "things to buy" list :) :)

Wait... DC702 played not knowing there would be prizes at the end? I should of kept that box for myself =)

[Kenderkin17]

I've got one.. let's do an Actual non techy CTF.. except the flag will be the drunkest con member, and the Capturing of them would be keeping them out of jail. ^.^

[Voltage Spike]

I've got one.. let's do an Actual non techy CTF.. except the flag will be the drunkest con member, and the Capturing of them would be keeping them out of jail.

Oh, you mean Saturday night? I think we already have one of those.

[Kenderkin17]

Nice. Very nice, thanks for correcting my ignorance. So.. I guess the minors like myself and the DD's keep everyone else out of jail on "CTF Saturday night"? :-P

--------------

On a more serious note has a non-tech CTF ever gone on? That would be interesting.. as it deals with not only computer security, but with who can deal with real life secuirty as well. Perhaps even a bit of social engineering involve. :-)

[TheCotMan]

Nice. Very nice, thanks for correcting my ignorance. So.. I guess the minors like myself and the DD's keep everyone else out of jail on "CTF Saturday night"?

One of the things which has been suggested is use of a "buddy system" where you can tell when a buddy is "beyond drunk" and a risk to themself (falling asleep in public) or others (finding people who have fallen asleep in public) so the person can be taken to their room by someone they trust.

On a more serious note has a non-tech CTF ever gone on?

Yes and no. Social engineering was used in past CTF to convince a security guard to allow someone to have physical access to the CTF boxes who was not authorized.
There have been various attempts at Social Engineering events/contests which never seem to go well due to legal reasons, planning, or perhaps genuine interest.
Then there have been contests like scavenger hunt, which can be non-technical, but require a lot of talent in creativity, exploitation, and good social skills only help you with this.
Also, there is the "Spot the Fed" contest where you may choose to observe people you think are feds, and then engage them in conversation to pump information from them and help you if/when you accuse them.

Proposing a new contest (as you have) is a good idea. Generate interest in it and see what happens. :-)

good luck.

[nulltone]

....and a risk to themself (falling asleep in public) or others (finding people who have fallen asleep in public) so the person can be taken to their room by someone they trust.

I cannot stress that enough. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT fall asleep unattended. I've been lucky, but I've known others that suffered the grave consequences.

Or you could just be like my friend Lei, who stayed up all 72 hours at Defcon 9.

[TheCotMan]

I cannot stress that enough. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT fall asleep unattended.

I like the unofficial DefCon FAQ assembled by HighWizard and others and the comments on falling asleep at DefCon in public and comments about why people don't seem to sleep.