Since 2012, we have aimed to provide a top-tier security conference for people who share a passion for information security.

CactusCon is a 501(c)(3) organization through the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Our Mission

CactusCon is the largest annual hacker and security conference in Arizona. Our last event attracted over 2000 attendees. For over a decade, our event has established itself as a top-tier security conference and has quickly become a must-attend learning and networking event.

CactusCon is evolving constantly, striving to meet the changing needs and expectations of the InfoSec community. We attract sought-after industry leaders, offer cutting-edge workshops, and provide ample opportunities for mingling and networking with people who share a passion for information security.

Code of Conduct

Short Version

CactusCon is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any event venue, including talks. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organizers. This policy applies to all official CactusCon spaces, including our online platforms.

Long Version

Harassment

Harassment includes offensive verbal or written comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. Additionally, CactusCon does not permit sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, or unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Presenters & Sponsors

Presenters, volunteers, and sponsors are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, presenters should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Sponsor staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment.

Participants

If a participant engages in harassing or interruptive behavior, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund.

Reporting

If you are being harassed by an attendee at CactusCon, there are multiple ways you can report: CactusCon volunteers will be available throughout the event space and can be identified by a GREEN CactusCon shirt and VOLUNTEER badge. Additionally, CactusCon senior staff can be identified by a Black STAFF hoodie and matching badge. Please seek out our volunteers or staff to report incidents. Event staff will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance. As always, in case of emergency, dial 911.

For those attending the conference on Discord, you can contact a moderator directly by sending !mod in #⁠help-and-support-🆘 or in a private DM to @Hacktar. This will open a private conversation with our moderator team. Additionally, you can ping @Moderator in a channel to get a moderator's attention. If you feel more comfortable discussing your concern with a member of our staff, please ping @CactusCon Staff or look for anyone with that role.


This Code of Conduct was forked from the example policy from the Geek Feminism wiki, created by the Ada Initiative and other volunteers, which is under a Creative Commons Zero license.

CactusCon Board

  • skyler

    skyler

    CACTUSCON BOARD

    Skyler is a mysterious figure in the world of hacking. He's incredibly skilled at breaking into systems and wreaking havoc, but he's careful to stay anonymous. He doesn't like his picture taken or anyone to know who he is, which makes it difficult for authorities to track him down. Skyler is a wanted man, but he's always one step ahead of the game. He's a master of disguise and knows how to disappear into the shadows. Skyler is a true enigma, and that's how he likes it. (ChatGPT bio)

  • kuzushi

    Andrew Wilson (@kuzushi)

    CACTUSCON BOARD

    Dan is a hacker who wears black hoodies and has an RGB keyboard. RGB keyboards are a popular choice among hackers because they offer a wide range of colors to choose from, making it easy to create a custom look for their computers. Dan's black hoodies help him to blend in with the darkness of the night, making it harder for people to spot him when he's up to no good. This combination of RGB keyboards and black hoodies represents the idiosyncrasies of a complex man. (ChatGPT bio)

  • jessica

    Jessica Solper (jessploit)

    CACTUSCON BOARD

    Jessica was born into a family of hackers. Her parents were some of the most renowned hackers in the world, and they taught her everything they know. From a young age, she was able to bypass any security system and access any computer system she wanted. She quickly became bored with conventional hacking and began to explore the dark side of the internet. She found a world of hacking that was much more exciting and dangerous. She began to take on high-risk hacking jobs for criminal organizations.She quickly became one of the most feared hackers in the world. Her skills are unrivaled and she has a reputation for being completely ruthless. She has stolen millions of dollars from banks and businesses, and her crimes have resulted in the death of several people. There is a $5 million bounty on her head, and she is currently one of the most wanted criminals in the world. (ChatGPT bio)

  • christine

    Christine Wilson (christine)

    CACTUSCON BOARD

    Christine has supported CactusCon for ten years in different capacities and is honored to be the lead organizer this year. With a background in account and project management for a Fortune 500 company she switched gears to educate 4th and 5th graders in the public school system. With a passion to teach math she hopes to be in the classroom again sometime soon. For now, she can be found playing tennis and planning the next CactusCon.

CactusCon Staff

  • jamie

    Jamie Winterton (@j_winterton)

    SPEAKER + CFP OPS LEAD

    Jamie Winterton is the Director of Strategy for Arizona State University’s Global Security Initiative. A “recovering physicist”, she designs interdisciplinary research for defense and security missions, specifically in cybersecurity, human/machine teaming, and disinformation. Jamie chairs ASU’s DARPA Working Group and has provided expert testimony on data breaches to the US Senate Subcomittee for Technology, Privacy, and the Law. Jamie currently chairs the CactusCon CFP, and was the academic chair for the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education CFP in 2017. Jamie was a CactusCon keynote speaker in 2018.

  • oriley

    Mike Hoffman (oriley)

    OPERATIONS LEAD

    Mike Hoffman is the Lead Security Engineer for Onna. He is responsible for the entire technical security program, including DevSecOps, security operations, incident response, and security architecture. He currently resides in North Carolina with his partner, 2 dogs and a bearded dragon.

  • mortrednaga

    Matt Hoffman (@mortrednaga)

    VILLAGE LEAD

    Matt Hoffman is a Senior Consultant for IBM, specializing in Security Operation Center (SOC) builds, and Cyber Threat Intelligence maturity assessments. Outside of work and Cactus Con, Matt likes to spend time with his partner playing PC games, chasing around his two dogs, and trying to 3D print unnecessary collectibles for fun and aesthetics.

  • cybaix

    Mark (@cybaix)

    BADGE LEAD

    Some say his null pointers derefence themselves into meaningful values and that his son is a generative AI algorithm designed to write software for embedded systems. All we know is that he's called Mark and he helps make badges appear.

  • grace

    Grace Chang

    SPONSOR LIAISON

    Grace Chang currently works in GRC and has previous experience in incident response. Her academic background focused on sexual violence intervention research, and her current volunteer work focuses on providing accessible digital privacy workshops for vulnerable populations. Grace enjoys reading, hiking with her dog, and playing cozy video games in her free time.

  • 7thdrxn

    Haylee Mills (@7thdrxn)

    SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

    Haylee Mills is a Security Strategist at Splunk with a specialty in content engineering and risk based alerting. Outside of work, Haylee mentors people looking to get into cybersecurity with a focus on BIPOC, women, and queer folks. She also works for local tech education group Cybersecurity Council of Arizona and the Tempe Arts & Culture Commission. She is passionate about community building, board/tabletop/video gaming, and runs her home as an LGBTQ safe space and cooperative.

  • nulloverflow

    Tim (@nulloverflow)

    VOLUNTEER LEAD

    Tim is a generic Blue Team guy in the SLED space. During the work week, he often fills the roles of security engineer, SOC analyst, architect, project manager, and assistant to the chief cat herder.

    Outside of work and CactusCon, Tim likes spending time with his dog, reading, experimenting on the RF spectrum with ham radio, and watching way too many YouTube videos on history and geopolitics. He is also involved with the infosec community in the Phoenix metro area.