FREE TRIP TO DEFCON 2023 (August 10-13, 2023, in Las Vegas)
- What is DEFCON?
DEF CON is an annual cybersecurity conference hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The inaugural DEF CON was conducted in June 1993, making it one of the oldest cybersecurity conferences. This conference serves to convene the active community of information security professionals, hackers, and hobbyists. It has become one of the most prominent and well-known events for people who work in computer security and hackers to discuss current trends in information technology, share knowledge, and establish a platform for collaboration. Those who are interested in expanding their knowledge of hacking tools, strategies, threats, and vulnerabilities can use it as a foundational resource.
- Free DEFCON Trip Sponsored by DOE/NNSA CONCISE Consortium
UTSA ECE Department Dr. Guenevere Chen’s current grant funded by U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration can support you to attend DEFCON 2023. CONCISE is a cybersecurity education, research and workforce development project led by UTSA, and collaborated with UNLV, NCA&T and SSU.
- Why Should I Attend DEFCON
DEFCON: You will meet the world top-tier hackers/white hats and enjoy their presentations/showcases and get cybersecurity training for free in 4-day DEFCON events. Also, Vegas is fun!
As part of this trip, you will have the opportunity to attend the CONCISE Annual Tech Symposium at UNLV. During this symposium, you will have the chance to achieve the following objectives:
o Obtain further information on CONCISE scholarship opportunities that can help support your academic pursuits.
o Meet with CONCISE faculty, current students, and national lab mentors.
o Lear more about CONCISE’s paid summer internship program with DOE/NNSA national labs.
o Gain a deeper understanding of career paths with the U.S. Department of Energy
- Eligibility. U.S. Citizen Only
- UTSA current Sophomores/Juniors enrolled in BS programs in ECE or CS, as well as UTSA BS Seniors who are graduating in Spring/Summer 2023 and plan to pursue a continuous MS degree in ECE or CS at UTSA starting in Fall 2023.
- GPA Requirement: BS >= 3.2
- Prospective applicants who are interested in exploring Cybersecurity, AI, Computer Science/Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering/Data Science career paths with the DOE/NNSA are encouraged to submit their applications.
- Underrepresented minorities (female, African American/Black, Hispanics) are strongly encouraged to apply.
5. How to Apply? By Emails & Attachment
- Email Subject: DEFCON 2023 Application: Your Name & Degree
- Attachment 1: Your (Unofficial) Transcript
- Attachment 2: Your Resume
- Send the Email Application to Guenevereqian.chen@utsa.edu and iot.ece@utsa.edu
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A sample of Email Content:
Dear Dr. Chen,
My name is _________, I am a BS-Sophomore in the ECE/CS. I anticipate graduating in Fall
of 2023. I am a U.S. citizen. I’d like to attend DEFCON and the CONCISE Tech Symposium. I
believe I will have sufficient time to attend both events. (1. These three sentence must be at the
beginning of the email.)
I am also an underrepresented minority student, specifically, I am a Hispanics & female student. I
am interested in learning more about CONCISE, such as the research projects, the paid internship
and DOE/NNSA career paths. (2. Optional. This paragraph introduce yourself.)
The unofficial transcript and my resume are attached in the email. (3. Must include these two
attachment)
The best way to contact me is by email and text messages/phone call: xxx-xxx-xxxx
(4. Please provide your preferred method of contact.)
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6. Application Deadline: May 19, 2023.
7. Selection Announcement: May 22nd -26th