The DEF CON Policy Department: What We Are Trying to Do for Hackers in PolicyWorld
The DEF CON Policy Department outlines its mission to represent the hacker community in Washington D.C., protecting good-faith security research and privacy rights.
Summary
The Mission of the DEF CON Policy Department
As cybersecurity becomes central to national security, economic stability, and civil liberties, hackers need dedicated representation in the corridors of policy making.
Advocating for Good-Faith Research Protections
The team reviews legislative efforts to reform the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), secure permanent DMCA exemptions, and establish safe harbors for vulnerability disclosure.
Educating Lawmakers on Cryptography and Technical Realities
The speakers describe ongoing engagements with congressional committees and regulatory bodies, providing technical clarity on encryption backdoors and client-side scanning.
How the DEF CON Community Can Get Involved
The presentation invites security researchers, engineers, and academics to contribute to policy briefs, public comments, and grassroots advocacy campaigns.
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