I just finished up an incredible time at CypherCon in Milwaukee, and I’m still buzzing from the energy, the people, and the conversations. This con wasn’t just about tech and tools – it was about community, curiosity, and connection.
First off, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to speak and share my story. Getting to talk about my journey – and the story behind my book Undermined – was both surreal and humbling. I wrote Undermined with the hope that it would spark thought, dialogue, and maybe even a little disruption where it’s needed. Being able to discuss it face-to-face with folks who get it was more powerful than I expected. (Also – if you’re curious, Undermined is available on Amazon!) https://a.co/d/9nUYw7j
CypherCon is unlike any other conference. There’s a certain magic in how it blends the technical with the human – how it respects the roots of hacking while still pushing boundaries. I found myself wandering through the various “wards” – each one a rabbit hole of its own.
The IoT Ward was buzzing with people taking apart smart devices, analyzing firmware, and exploring the vulnerabilities that sit just below the surface. It was equal parts terrifying and fascinating. The Lockpicking Ward was a hands-on playground for physical security enthusiasts – and yeah, watching people open complex locks like it was second nature? Wild. I even gave it a shot (with mixed results!).
Then there were the Cypher and Bitcoin Village hacking wards – where brains were firing on all cylinders trying to solve puzzles, break codes, and decipher challenges. It reminded me just how deep the rabbit hole goes, and how much creativity lives in this space.
But more than the tech, what stuck with me were the conversations – hallway chats, random pairings at a soldering table, deep talks over coffee. CypherCon is a place where people see each other – not just for what they do, but for how they think, what they’ve been through, and what they’re trying to build.
To everyone who stopped to talk, to share, to listen – thank you. It meant more than you know.
Until next time.
