In a digital world where threats are becoming increasingly complex and advanced technologies offer attackers new ways to achieve their goals, the future of cybersecurity depends not only on innovation, but also on training a new generation of professionals ready to meet these ever-growing challenges. To support the training of future cybersecurity experts, the organisers of DefCamp, the largest annual hacking and cybersecurity conference in Central and Eastern Europe, are focusing this year on both education and practical application of knowledge in the field. DefCamp aims to improve the technical skills of industry professionals and to build a strong and knowledgeable cybersecurity community. Over 2,000 experts and professionals from around the world are expected to attend the 14th edition of DefCamp, which will take place at the Palace of Parliament on 28-29 November, to discuss and explore current trends, emerging challenges and solutions in the field of cybersecurity.
“DefCamp has always been about supporting and expanding the cybersecurity community, and this year’s edition is no exception. Industry leaders will be present to share valuable knowledge, insights, and research, with the aim of supporting both current and future professionals while strengthening a global community capable of responding quickly and effectively to the increasingly complex challenges of today’s cybersecurity landscape. As the future of cybersecurity depends heavily on educating the next generation of professionals, DefCamp 2024 will place a strong emphasis on education and hands-on engagement. This year’s edition will be more comprehensive, with expanded educational activities, including a series of workshops and training organised before the main conference, and new opportunities for young people to interact with the global cybersecurity community. All these activities will complement the presentations held by local and international speakers, as well as the competitions taking place during the main event on 28 and 29 November”, points out Andrei Avădănei, DefCamp founder.
During the week of the event, on the 25th, 26th and 27th of November, a series of workshops will be held on various cybersecurity topics, giving participants additional opportunities to access technical information and specialise in the area of their choice. The topics covered are aimed at both beginners and professionals in the field and cover both offensive and defensive aspects of security, such as: secure coding, penetration testing, OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence, i.e. gathering information from public sources), security practices in software development, how to become a SOC analyst, how to build a business in the cybersecurity industry, and much more.
The conference days on 28 and 29 November will feature top speakers such as Chris Kubecka, a cyber security expert with more than 20 years of experience. Specialising in cyber incidents, cyber warfare and cyber espionage, Chris Kubecka returns to DefCamp with a session named “The Matrix Reloaded: Quantum Computing and the Redefinition of Cyberwarfare”, in which she explores the impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity. Chris will also use examples from the recent conflicts in Armenia/Azerbaijan and Ukraine to demonstrate how cyber operations have changed the battlefield and how quantum technologies threaten today’s cryptographic systems.
Other notable speakers include Robert Sell, who will discuss the rise of insider threats in organisations, from accidental mistakes to espionage, how they can be detected and what steps organisations can take to better protect themselves. Also, Konrad Jędrzejczyk and Marek Zmyslowski will explore how artificial intelligence can be used in complex cyber-attacks and deception strategies, discussing the ethical implications and how its use blurs the lines between defence and attack. And Ignat Korchagin will bring hardware security to the forefront, focusing on cryptography and hardware protection.
“In a world where the number of cyber-attacks is constantly rising, data protection has become a key priority. At Orange, we are committed to supporting the ongoing development and training of cybersecurity communities, which are essential to strengthening the industry and creating a safer digital environment. DefCamp is not only a benchmark conference but also a vital training and launch platform for future professionals in the field. We are proud to support this event, which contributes to the resilience of the cybersecurity ecosystem and prepares the next generation of professionals – so essential in an ever-changing world”, says Marius Maican, Technology Director, Orange Romania.
Nearly 800 teams participated in the qualifiers for DefCamp Capture the Flag (D-CTF), one of the largest cybersecurity and hacking competitions in Central and Eastern Europe
To put theory into practice, the Hacking Village competitions and educational activities will provide participants with the opportunity to test their skills in a hands-on environment, helping them refine their technical expertise. More than 10 competitions will be organised in the Hacking Village, and the CyberEDU technical education platform will be available to host these events.
The largest competition, DefCamp Capture the Flag (D-CTF), held its qualification round from 27 to 29 September. Almost 800 teams – 30% more than in 2023 – from 92 countries registered. Up to 15 of the best teams will advance to the final round, which will take place during the DefCamp conference in Bucharest. The D-CTF finals will feature a competition that combines the classic Jeopardy-style CTF, where each team must solve challenges in different security areas, with an attack-and-defence competition. This is a more complex format that will allow participants to experience the day-to-day work of a cybersecurity team and explore both offensive and defensive roles within these teams.
DefCamp becomes first European member of the international Global Cybersecurity Camp (GCC) programme
“Complementing its commitment to education, DefCamp has been selected this year as the first European member of the international Global Cybersecurity Camp (GCC) program, a project dedicated to training the world’s most talented cybersecurity professionals. The DefCamp team aims to support up to three Romanian students to participate in the 2025 edition of GCC, which will take place in Taiwan from 10 to 14 February. This is a unique opportunity for these young people to learn from top experts and become part of an international network of future leaders in cybersecurity”, concludes Andrei Avădănei.
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