Noob Village is one of DEF CON's most welcoming spaces — built for newcomers who are curious about offensive security but don't yet know where to start. As part of DEF CON 34, it's the place to ask questions without judgment and get an honest, no-hype look at how the industry actually works.

Billy Giles, Managing Senior Consultant at Bishop Fox, will be presenting "So You Want to Be a Red Teamer? The Reality Behind the Role" — an honest look at what red teaming actually involves, and how to start building a real path into the field.

For more details, visit: Noob Village.

"So You Want to Be a Red Teamer? The Reality Behind the Role"

Speakers: Billy Giles, Managing Senior Consultant, Bishop Fox

Date/Time: Sunday, August 9, 2026 | 1:45 PM ET / 11:45 AM MT

Abstract: If you spend enough time online, you might think red teaming is all zero-days, custom malware, and elite operators silently dismantling networks while dramatic music plays in the background. The reality is very different — modern red team operations are less about "cool hacks" and more about planning, communication, and helping organizations improve their defenses. In many cases, the most important skills have nothing to do with hacking at all.

This talk is designed for newcomers interested in offensive security who want an honest look at what red teamers actually do, how engagements are planned, what skills matter most, and how to begin building a realistic path into the field. Billy will break down the differences between penetration testing and red/purple teaming, discuss common misconceptions about offensive security careers, and walk through a real-world red team engagement from planning through debrief.

If you've ever wondered what red teamers really do, this session is for you.