Hello friend.

October has been about putting better information in the hands of the community.

We have been reviewing applications, reconnecting with organizers, updating group records, and getting the new DEF CON Groups website ready for broader use.

This month, we approved 3 new DEF CON Groups and received updated information from 8 existing or returning groups.

Thank you to everyone who submitted information, answered follow-up questions, and helped us work through older requests. That work helps people find active communities and gives organizers a clearer path forward.

The New DEF CON Groups Website Is in Beta

Visit defcon-groups.org to explore the new website, official groups directory, and resources for organizers and participants.

The site brings group information, frequently asked questions, and policies and guidelines into one place.

The official groups list will be updated periodically. New approvals and submitted changes may take time to appear while we review information and prepare directory updates.

For beta feedback, we are especially interested in navigation, readability, mobile usability, broken links, and whether you can find the information you need.

Please send feedback to [email protected]. If your group is missing or its details need updating, use the group information form linked from the website. A missing listing during this transition does not, by itself, tell you the status of an application or update.

Moving Away From the Forums

The DEF CON Groups forums will be archived and will no longer be maintained.

Going forward, defcon-groups.org will be the maintained source for the official groups directory and DCG resources.

Please replace links that send people to the forums for current group information. Changes to organizer contacts, meeting details, websites, or social accounts should be submitted through the group information form.

Your own public meeting information matters, too. Check that someone discovering your group can find out when you meet, how to contact you, and how to participate.

More Regional Support

We have added a new Goon to the DEF CON Groups team to help support group organizers and the department’s ongoing work.

The additional support gives us more capacity to respond to requests, keep information current, and improve the resources available to the community.

This will allow our Director of Technology to focus on the website and infrastructure that support the global DCG community.

We are also preparing for a departmental planning meeting before the end of the year to review responsibilities and priorities for the year ahead.

POCs: Get Connected on the DEF CON Discord

All current DEF CON Group points of contact should join the official DEF CON Discord and reach out to have the ‘dcg-poc’ role added to their server profile.

This role provides access to the POC-only areas of the DEF CON Discord, where organizers can connect with the department and other group leaders.

If you are a primary or secondary POC and do not have access, email [email protected] with:

• Your group’s name and location.

• Your name or handle and POC role.

• Your Discord username and numeric Discord user ID.

• Confirmation that you have joined the official DEF CON server.

Please include your numeric user ID, not only your display name, so we can identify the correct account.

Submitting a group information form does not automatically add the Discord role. If your group is approved but you cannot see the POC-only areas, reach out so we can finish that step.

Keep Your Group Information Current

Every active DEF CON Group must complete an annual information update to remain verified and listed as active.

If you have not completed yours, visit defcon-groups.org and follow the link to the group information form.

Please confirm your primary and secondary contacts, public links, meeting schedule, and instructions for new participants. Submit an update even if nothing has changed.

If you have already submitted, thank you for your patience. We are reviewing submissions, reconciling older records, and following up where details are missing. Receiving an update, completing verification, and publishing a directory change are separate steps.

Policies and Organizer Resources

We have also begun a coordinated review of the policies and guidelines available on the website.

The goal is to make expectations easier to find and understand, identify gaps, and give organizers useful guidance for running their groups.

Visit the resources page. If something is unclear or you cannot find an answer to a practical question, let us know what you were looking for.

Show Us What Your Group Is Doing

We want to hear about local workshops, research, projects, and meetups.

Give someone in your community an opportunity to present. Share a project in progress. Run a hands-on activity. Make room for people who are participating for the first time.

Send group news to [email protected] or tag @DEFCON_groups in public posts. Include your group’s name, a public link, and any accounts we should tag.

What to Focus on This Month

• Explore the new website.

• Complete your annual group update.

• Replace old forum links.

• Make sure both POCs have the dcg-poc Discord role.

• Check that new participants can find your next meeting.

• Tell us what your group is building.

Thank you to the organizers and volunteers who keep these communities active.

DEF CON Groups
[email protected]
https://defcon-groups.org
https://infosecmap.com/defcon/
@DEFCON_groups