user@dc256:~$
DC256 is the Huntsville, Alabama DEF CON Group — a local meetup for hackers, tinkerers, and information security enthusiasts. We’re an open group welcoming everyone from seasoned professionals to curious newcomers.
Our mission is to share knowledge, promote hands-on experimentation, and build a strong local security community. Expect workshops, lightning talks, CTFs, and general chaos.
Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: GigaParts Classroom, Huntsville
Sponsored by: North Alabama Chapter of the Information System Security Association (NAC-ISSA) — nac-issa.org
The increasing reliance on digital systems in modern rocketry, from design and manufacturing to launch operations and in-flight control, introduces significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Presentation, "Ignition Under Fire," by Paul Coggin, explores the diverse attack vectors targeting rocket propulsion systems, examining potential consequences ranging from mission delays and data breaches to catastrophic failures. We will analyze the complex interplay of software, hardware, and network components within propulsion systems, identifying key weaknesses susceptible to exploitation. The presentation will delve into specific attack scenarios, software manipulation, sensor spoofing, and network intrusion, highlighting the potential impact on critical rocket equation parameters like delta V, thrust, fuel flow, and combustion stability. Furthermore, we will discuss the unique challenges in securing these complex systems. We will explore how a Zero Trust architecture can be implemented to enhance security by enforcing strict access control, micro-segmentation, and continuous authentication and authorization throughout the propulsion system.
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: GigaParts Classroom, Huntsville
Collaboration: NAC-ISSA × DC256 • Presented by: @Oyster
See inside of network traffic with the Wireshark network protocol analyzer. Pick apart packets piece by piece as we analyze networking traffic to tell a story of how different network devices talk between one another.
Email: [email protected]
Meetups held every 3rd Friday @ 6PM at:
GigaParts
6123 University Dr, Huntsville, AL 35806
