As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, the demand for top-tier cybersecurity talent and innovative partnerships has never been more urgent. That was the central message from retired General Paul M. Nakasone in his keynote address at DistrictCon, a new DC hacker con that brings together security researchers, technologists, and policymakers to hack, exchange ideas, and grow the community through action.
On Saturday, February 22, the second day of the conference, Nakasone—former head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command and Founding Director of Vanderbilt’s Institute for National Security—delivered his keynote to a packed audience at the Yours Truly Hotel. He spoke about how artificial intelligence, cyber operations, and evolving attack strategies are reshaping modern conflict. He also highlighted growing threats from adversaries like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon, state-sponsored hacking groups targeting critical infrastructure.
“The number one thing we need for the future is talent,” Nakasone said. “And to stay ahead of accelerating threats, we need radical partnerships between government, industry, and academia. So, when DistrictCon asked me to come speak, I couldn’t say yes quick enough.”
Nakasone, Distinguished Research Professor of Engineering Science and Management, was accompanied by five Vanderbilt University students; all computer science majors and members of the school’s Cybersecurity Capture the Flag (CTF) club. The students engaged with hackers, policymakers, and security professionals tackling topics ranging from binary exploitation and reverse engineering to infosec policy and geopolitics.
“Being in the same room as the former head of the NSA, alongside brilliant researchers from as far as Korea, or watching industry experts showcase reverse-engineering developments and advanced exploits live in front of us was both humbling and inspiring,” said Vanderbilt student Patrick Dobranowski. “The diverse range of people and perspectives fueled our passion for the cybersecurity community and has brought us back to Vanderbilt with a renewed sense of purpose for the CTF Cybersecurity club and Vanderbilt’s connection to computer security topics as a whole.”
Though an unexpected power outage briefly disrupted the immediate area, DistrictCon adapted quickly, running on backup generators. The dim lighting only added to the underground hacker aesthetic, a detail some attendees found fitting for a conference built on hacking together and making things happen—no matter the obstacles.