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DEF CON Groups POCs,

Before there were packet captures and bug bounties, there was a whistle.

In the early days of phone phreaking, a cereal box whistle could emit a precise 2600 Hz tone. That tone didn’t just make a sound. It opened doors. Curious minds explored a vast, invisible system that most people never thought twice about. That same curiosity ran through blue boxes, phone booths, and garages where early hackers like Wozniak and Jobs were building what became Apple. Long before “cybersecurity” had a name, hacking culture grew out of telecom, switches, area codes, and the shared understanding of how systems really worked.

That lineage matters to us.

DEF CON Groups have always reflected those roots: local communities, connected, sharing knowledge, experimenting, and building trust through participation. Area codes were never just numbers. They were shorthand for identity, locality, and belonging.

Over time, we’ve watched how the current structure has played out across the community. The DCG CITY model remains the normalized operational framework for how groups are tracked and supported internally within the DCG Department. What we are introducing now is an additional layer of flexibility that allows groups to reconnect with the cultural identity many organizers value - phone area codes as identity.

With that in mind, we are reintroducing area-code-based naming across DEF CON Groups.

What this means in practice:

Each DCG retains its existing DCG CITY name as the backend database identifier used for coordination and standardization.

Groups that do not already have an area-code identifier will be able to request a DCG number name aligned with their region. Reach out and we will work with you.

Groups may choose how they wish to be publicly known: by city name, number name, or both.

This is not a reversal of structure or a forced rebrand. It is an optional public-facing identity layer that sits alongside the existing model. We heard your feedback and recognize how important phone area codes are to many groups.

Examples for clarity:

1. If you are currently known as DCG Atlantis, your backend name remains DCG Atlantis. Publicly, you could choose to be known as DCG123 or DCG Atlantis. If you want an area-code identity, we can help determine one with you.

2. If you are an existing numbered group such as DC801, nothing changes. You may continue using that identity publicly while the backend database may also reference your DCG CITY name.

3. If you are a new group with no historical number or DCG CITY name yet, one of each will be established during onboarding, and you can decide which you prefer to use publicly.

When area codes collide, we’ll sort it out the way hackers always have. Expect decimals, a little number-salting, and practical workarounds when international numbering gets complicated. Phone phreaking runs through the DNA of DEF CON Groups, and that part of our history isn’t getting retired just because a spreadsheet got complicated.

If your group does not currently have a number name, please reach out so we can discuss the appropriate area code together. These decisions will be collaborative and considerate of local history and context.

You may also notice that our POC verification process has been streamlined. The goal remains unchanged: trusted points of contact and clear communication, with less friction for active organizers. This will be a trust-based system with an emphasis on human connection and collaboration.

Additionally, I want to share a brief update. As of February 1, 2026, I was asked by DEF CON leadership to step into the role of DEF CON Groups Global Lead. I am honored to support this community in that capacity and to continue building on the work that so many of you have contributed to over the years. My focus moving forward is stability, transparency, and making sure the DCG program continues to grow in ways that reflect both our history and our future.

As we move toward DEF CON 34, our focus is strengthening the connective tissue between groups. This includes expanded DCG presence onsite, shared workshops and content, meetups, and practical opportunities for collaboration across regions. The DCG Community space this year is being designed to support visibility, learning, and the work you are already doing locally.

DCGs have always been about people first: organizers, curiosity, and mutual support. Re-integrating area-code identities is one step toward honoring that legacy while continuing to build forward together.

Thank you for everything you do to keep these communities alive.

V/r,

Alethe Denis
DEF CON Groups Global Lead
DEF CON | defcon.org
[email protected]

Villages and Communities 2nd Lead
DEF CON Singapore

DEF CON 34 DCG Community Calls Open Now:
Call for DCG Community Workshops at DC34 (In-person Only): https://forms.office.com/r/2MnaHRg4L9
Note: Open to DCG POCs only

Call for DCG Community Coordinators at DC34 (In-person Only): https://forms.office.com/r/uGvfpKZwja
Note: Open to all

Up next: March Town Hall Agenda, Save the Date for March 24, 2026 - Department Updates and Q&A plus DC34 Planning.