CISSP Certification & DEF CON 31 Attendance

After 8 months of study, I received the (ISC)² certification badge for the CISSP cyber security certification.

I took my time as well else in 2-3 months, one can truly pass the exam with brute force (hard work). It is a viscous and sadistic exam so make sure to score 10000 test questions beforehand.

With a CISSP, you validate your expertise and become an (ISC)² member, unlocking a broad array of exclusive resources, educational tools, and peer-to-peer networking opportunities. The core idea is that one can accelerate a cyber security career with the CISSP certification.

It is a badge that costs $125 (annual maintenance fee of the exam) + $665 (cost of taking a single exam) in total.

The CISSP is ideal for experienced security practitioners, managers and executives interested in proving their knowledge across a wide array of security practices and principles, including those in the following positions:

• Chief Information Security Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Director of Security
• IT Director/Manager
• Security Systems Engineer
• Security Analyst

Cybersecurity is not a homogeneous field limited to a handful of roles. It covers a variety of functions and responsibilities, and is reliant on teams with diverse skills, experiences and ideas.

DEF CON 31: Hacker Conference 2023 | #1 Hacker Event

I am now planning to travel to Las Vegas next week to attend the DEFCON31.

DEF CON is an annual hacker convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Aug. 10-13, 2023 at Caesars Forum + Flamingo, Harrah's and Linq in Las Vegas!

Pricetag: $440 USD Cash at the door (after waiting in the CON line but I intend to come in early as I could not pay the prior ticket online).

It is also known as DEFCON, Defcon, or DC.

DEF CON, founded in 1993 by Jeff Moss, is today regarded as one of the world’s most prominent and well-known computer security conferences.

Computer security specialists, journalists, lawyers, federal government personnel, security researchers, students, and hackers are among those who attend the event.

DEF CON breaks into everything that can be “hacked.” For example, WAN, blockchains, RFID, QR code, voting machines, ATMs, satellites,...

The event has grown in popularity over the years, with federal law enforcement officers from numerous agencies, including the FBI, DoD, US Postal Inspection Service, DHS (through CISA), and others, attending on a regular basis.

Despite its reputation, DEF CON maintains that the conference is primarily a chance for people to learn new things and share ideas in a friendly and welcoming environment.

It is not the only conference of the kind. Black Hat is another major event such as DEF CON.

My Belgian company may accept to refund the expense of the Conference ticket. They happen to not know the event.

Yet my company has a Cyber Sec department and exhibiting motivation may help them to participate in the costs.

Indeed, end of this year, I plan to quit my position of IT Support Engineer and dive fully into the Cyber Sec division.

A new world with greater opportunities.

As a side note, Las Vegas is known as Sin City. The apostle Paul told that where sin is flourishing, Grace is overwhelming.

I bet it is vice city because of what the authorities and common men allow a country to become. Hence I will get there only once in my life to claim another attendance badge for experience and seeing new professionals. For the rest, Nevada is way too hot in many ways.

By the way, if you are from Nevada, or passing by the DEF CON or even living in Las Vegas, fond of technology, cryptography and cryptocurrency (obviously), leave me a note in the comments.

It will be exhilarating to meet new faces and exchange about these vast topics.