During Black Hat and DEF CON, you can expect to run into more than 400 vendors and 50,000 attendees. Both conferences are going to be full of life, with various events occurring during the conferences, networking opportunities at every corner, and different competitions, raffles, and CTFs occurring throughout Hacker Summer Camp. For some, their schedule is filled with back-to-back appointments, so what do you do if you get overwhelmed?
Personally, what helps me a lot is coming into the conference with a goal in mind. What is your goal? Networking? Marketing? Finding a job or finding someone to hire? You can go to a conference for more than one purpose, but once you identify your goal, you can prioritize what will best benefit you. Alongside that, take a look at the agenda or floor map; that way you can envision what to expect. And while this last step may not be possible for everyone, try to minimize external stressors as much as you can while you are at the conference. Having to worry about an external factor while at the conference can easily raise your stress levels and leave you overwhelmed with not being able to give one topic your undivided attention.
Beyond that, the good news is both conferences offer a quiet room for people to rejuvenate their social batteries. Black Hat has a Recharge Lounge inside the business hall that allows users to charge their devices and decompress. They also offer an unlocked and private Quiet/Prayer room in the convention area that is intended for people to use to hold prayer or quiet reflection during the conference. DEF CON also hosts a Quiet Room in partnership with The Diana Initiative and Mental Health Hackers that can be found in the West Hall.
If you find yourself overwhelmed, some people find mindful breathing, hydrating, and taking a break can lead to feeling better. If for any reason you feel overwhelmed, ask a staff member where you can find the resources you need (like a Quiet Room, water, etc) in order for you to help regulate and benefit the most from these events.
About the Author
Carmen Estela is a Cybersecurity Research Analyst at Cyber Defense Magazine and a Women in Cybersecurity Award Candidate. She recently graduated with a Master of Science degree from the University of Central Florida and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of Florida with certifications in Data Analytics and AI Fundamentals. She frequently speaks and volunteers at well-known industry gatherings, such as BSides Orlando and BSides Jax, where she offers her perspectives on emerging cyber trends. Carmen is committed to advancing the standards of governance, risk, and compliance within cybersecurity. She has also served as an adult protective investigator, police dispatcher, and legal intern, applying investigative skills across law enforcement, academic, and public service settings.
Reach her online at [email protected].
