Try Social Engineering
at DEF CON
Cold Calls give attendees a walk-up opportunity to make a short call to get a feel for both the contest and the world of Social Engineering through vishing but without the contest elements.
About Cold Calls
How does it work?
After signing up, when your spot becomes available, you’re given a random company and we’ll provide the phone number and who you’re calling. You’ll also get three random objectives to get the receiver of your call to provide. Each objective is rated as either easy, medium or hard, and you get one of each. You’re free to try to get just one, two, or all three. You’ll enter our phone booth and be given five minutes to do your best.
Why are they called Cold Calls?
We took the term from the sales world, which in sales, means the receiver is not expecting your call. Yes, technically the Vishing Competition consists of cold calls as well. However, in their case, they’ve had more time to research the company and devise a crafty pretext. You won’t get that opportunity. It doesn’t get much colder than that!
How much does it cost?
Nothing! It’s free! This is provided on a first come first serve basis to any DEF CON attendee.
How do I win?
That’s the best part, you don’t! The Cold Call section is not a competition, so you can’t win, but you also can’t lose. However, what you will get as a caller is a first hand opportunity to try Social Engineering through vishing.
How do I sign up?
So, you want to do it, huh? That’s great! Cold Calls are on a first come first serve basis as time permits and offered during lunch and at random times throughout the day as time permits.
Sign up is provided on-site, just speak with a Volunteer or Staff member at the SEC during DEF CON!
As part of the sign up, you must agree to our ethical guidelines. You’ll be required to sign a statement that you agree to follow our ethical guidelines during the call when you sign up.
