DEF CON, founded in 1993, is an annual event in Las Vegas for hackers, security researchers, and cybersecurity professionals. Unlike traditional conferences, DEF CON has no formal corporate security; instead, volunteer “goons” maintain order.
Critics argue goons sometimes act arbitrarily or with excessive force. Defenders note the difficulty of managing 30,000+ attendees without formal security training. Reforms have included anti-harassment policies and incident reporting systems. defcon goon
The term “goon” was adopted playfully from early online gaming and BBS subcultures. Founder Jeff Moss (Dark Tangent) institutionalized the role to handle disputes, eject troublemakers, and manage logistics without law enforcement involvement. DEF CON, founded in 1993, is an annual
I notice you've used the phrase — that’s not a standard term in official DEFCON (Defense Readiness Condition) documentation, cybersecurity literature, or military protocol. Defenders note the difficulty of managing 30,000+ attendees