CactusCon 14 Villages & Special Events
Villages are spaces within CactusCon dedicated to specific topic areas, and typically include talks, hands-on activities, competitions, and other exciting and interesting things to check out! Check this page for updates as we add more villages and info.
Aerospace Village
Attendees of the Aerospace Village at CactusCon will explore the exciting world of aviation and space cybersecurity through four interactive, hands-on activities. Designed for all backgrounds and skill levels, these experiences teach practical skills, spark curiosity, and build understanding of the challenges in securing aerospace systems.
Complementing these technical demonstrations are student-led research exhibits from a leading aerospace university. These displays highlight emerging technologies and applied solutions developed by students and faculty. They offer a look into how academic institutions are shaping the future of aviation and space through innovation, hands-on learning, and real-world problem-solving.
Throughout the Aerospace Village, knowledgeable experts will be available to guide participants, answer questions, and provide insight into the systems and concepts on display. Each activity is designed to be collaborative, educational, and engaging—whether visitors are exploring avionics, satellite design, or the importance of cybersecurity across the aerospace domain.
Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned professional, the Aerospace Village offers a welcoming space to connect, learn, and experiment where aerospace meets cybersecurity.
CISO Village
Our Background
From the ground up, the CISO village was designed to be like a 'School Science Fair' where each person is building a volcano. Each volcano is different and unique. Each person built their volcano with a different vision while making sure its meeting the requirements placed on it.
The cybersecurity programs that we support aren't too different from the science fair volcanoes. We each have unique challenges, constraints, and previous technical debt. We might be supporting a smaller or larger organization. We might be supporting a public or a private organization.
Despite these differences, wouldn't it be nice to step into the shoes of another CISO's program to see what things you might be able to improve on yourself? Wouldn't it be nice to better understand what things might be different in a healthcare industry versus a manufacturing industry (besides the regulatory requirements).
Our Approach
There are a lot of conferences where the attendees sit in the audience and learn. However, since many of the members have 10+ years of experience, we feel like having a more roundtable approach where we can all learn from each other would be more engaging. Our approach is not to have presentations. Our approach is to facilitate workshops where we can all learn from each other. We invite you to come learn and grow with us!!
Attending the CISO Village
The CISO Village at CactusCon is separate from the main conference. Registering for the CISO event gets you entry into the CISO Village at CactusCon on Saturday, February 7th. The village includes a catered hot lunch. This ticket gets you entry into the main conference for both days, February 6th and 7th. You will have access to all of the conference talks, workshops, and villages. Merchandise and electronic badges are available for purchase at the conference for an additional cost.
Registration is separate from the main conference.
The CactusCon Greenhouse
Do you want to be a pentester, but don’t know where to start? Do you have an interest in pentesting, but need some help getting the fundamentals down? Are you curious about the tools pentesters use to break into things? Are you a defender, developer, or an IT or cyber security manager, and want to learn or understand the fundamental security tools better? If any of this resonates then the CactusCon Greenhouse is for you!
Back for its fourth year at Cactus Con, the Greenhouse is a series of five stations, each one with an exercise in a fundamental security tool; enumeration using nmap, web application testing using BurpSuite, exploitation with Metasploit, password cracking with john the ripper and hashcat, and vulnerability scanning with Tenable Nessus. Each station is designed to take about 30-45 minutes to complete, and will have a web page to guide you through the exercises. You can come and go as you wish, and do the stations in any order and at your own pace. No pre-registration needed! Greenhouse Gardeners will be available to help if you get stuck. You will need to bring your own laptop to participate. Come join the Greenhouse for a fun, instructional and low-pressure chance to get your feet wet in these essential tools!
More information:
Participants will need to bring their own laptop to participate, with either:
a Kali Linux VM pre-installed (preferred option), with Nessus Essentials installed and working, or
an RDP client installed
Your laptop will need a hardware network connection (built-in or a dongle) or a wireless connection that you can configure to join our network.
We will have pre-built Kali VMs at each station for you to use. You will need to connect to them using an RDP client. Some RDP client options are:
A recent Windows laptop with Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection App installed,
Microsoft’s Remote Desktop App for Macs,
A Linux laptop using Remmina, Vinagre or similar RDP client.
Some other details:
Each station will have dedicated WiFi and up to 8 hardwired connections.
The stations can be done in any order.
At each station the tasks will be presented, and each task will have a walk-through to help you if you get stuck.
Gardeners will be rotating around the stations and helping participants if they need help.
You can download and keep the content for later research and reference!
This is not a CTF, and it is not a contest. The purpose is to learn, develop your skills, and interact with others. Each station is designed to help you learn something no matter what your interest is – pentester, developer, defender, CISO, IT manager – whatever your role in cyber security there is likely something that will interest and benefit you at the Greenhouse!
If you need more information please contact us at ccgreenhouse23<at>gmail.com!
Heatsync Labs
Heatsync Labs Hardware Hacking Village
Dive into the hardware frontier at the HeatSync Labs Hardware Hacking Village— a dynamic, hands-on zone where curiosity meets circuitry. Whether you are a seasoned hacker or just learning to solder for the first time, this is your chance to unlock the secrets of hardware, explore the magic behind this year’s CactusCon conference badge, and build something truly your own.
Fueled by the spirit of HeatSync Labs — Arizona’s nonprofit community hackerspace / Makerspace in downtown Mesa — the village embodies a mission to empower makers, engineers, artists, and inventors to push the limits of technology and creativity. No experience? No problem. Landon will provide all the tools, parts, and mentors you need to learn by doing — soldering, rebuilding, reverse-engineering, and discovering what makes tech tick.
Join the camaraderie of a vibrant community as you tackle challenges, light up circuits, and take on surprise teardown puzzles. At the heart of the village is our goal: to demystify hardware, inspire creativity, and spark collaboration among anyone curious about how things work — inside and out.
Stop by to grab a card with details about HeatSync Labs and join our follow-up Badge Hacking Night on February 21st, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at our Mesa hackerspace / Makerspace to keep the learning going. The Hardware Hacking Village isn’t just a booth — it’s a workshop, playground, and think-tank rolled into one. Come plug in, power up, and make something remarkable.
Capture the Flag
Prove Your Skills at the Cactus Con CTF by Threat Sims
Ready to put your hacking skills to the ultimate test? Threat Sims is back to host the legendary Cactus Con Capture the Flag competition! Whether you are a battle-hardened CTF veteran or a curious beginner ready to crack your first challenge, there is a flag waiting for you.
We are bringing you a dynamic range of challenges across various difficulties and categories.
The Details:
Format: In-Person at the Mesa Convention Center
Teams: No maximum size—gather your squad!
Prizes: Prizes are limited, not everyone on a winning team will win a prize.
How to Play:
After purchasing a ticket for Cactus Con, make sure to register on the CTF website to secure your spot!
We can't wait to see who emerges victorious. Happy Hacking!
Career Village
Come to the Career Village for one of our talks or to meet with a volunteer mentor! Whether you're looking to get into cyber or advance your current career in cyber, there's something here for you. Learn more about networking (online & IRL), the variety of career options in this industry, or even get your resume reviewed by someone experienced in the field.
Red Team Alliance Physical Security Village
Mastering the Art of Physical Threat Assessment
Welcome to the Red Team Alliance (RTA) Physical Security Village - where theoretical knowledge meets practical execution. Whether you're a security professional looking to expand your skillset, a curious beginner ready to understand how physical vulnerabilities work, or an experienced operator seeking to sharpen your techniques, this village offers hands-on training in one of the most critical yet often overlooked domains of security: physical breach methodology.
Our Mission
Red Team Alliance provides immersive real-world security training that equips professionals and organizations with the skills and mindset needed to understand, identify, and emulate physical threats. We deliver instruction on covert entry, surveillance, lock bypass techniques, breach methodologies, and other critical areas of physical security—taught by seasoned professionals with real-world experience.
The Door Challenge Competition
How It Works:
First come, first served registration during the village
Breach the mini door simulator using your chosen method(s)
Fastest time with successful entry wins
The Prize:
Grand Prize Winner receives a free professional class in Las Vegas, Nevada - valued as a major step in your physical security training journey
What to Expect
The Physical Security Village features multiple stations designed to accommodate all skill levels:
Walk-In Lock Picking Stations - Develop fundamental lock manipulation skills at your own pace. Our stations feature locks of varying difficulties, from beginner-friendly pin tumbler locks to advanced security devices. Pick up a lock and get your hands on the tools—our instructors are there to guide you, answer questions, and help you understand the mechanics behind what you're doing.
The Door Challenge - Ready to put your skills to the test? Compete in our signature Door Challenge, where you'll face a mini door simulator and employ multiple breach techniques to get it open as quickly as possible. Whether you choose lock picking, shimming, key decryption, or a combination of methods, the fastest time with the best execution wins recognition and a valuable prize.
Red Team Tools Showcase – Explore professional-grade tools used by security professionals in the field. Our Red Team Tools vendor area showcases equipment and gear designed for legitimate security evaluations, penetration testing, and physical security assessments. Talk with experts about selecting the right tools for your work and learn how professionals approach real-world security challenges.
Connect With Us
The Physical Security Village isn't just about picking locks—it's about building a community of security professionals committed to holistic threat assessment. Network with fellow participants, learn from veteran professionals, and discover how physical security training can enhance your career. Many attendees sign up for our advanced classes during the event, taking their skills to the next level with RTA's comprehensive training programs.
Red Team Alliance | Empowering security professionals through hands-on, real-world training.
For more information about Red Team Alliance training programs, visit our booth at the Physical Security Village or connect with us online at redteamalliance.com.