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Comment by wkat4242 | Hacker News Reader

Not sure about this event but in Europe you have to hire a professional security company. I've been involved in organising a computer event and we simply wouldn't get a permit without it. Volunteers doing security is a big NO. Parking assistance (guiding), first aid, entrance checks etc yes. But if someone doesn't comply you get the real guys. And it makes sense. At one camp we had a drugged up visitor going ballistic and attacking security with a big stick when he was asked to leave. They disarmed him with ease. A volunteer would likely have fared catastrophically. Also, these guys have legal protection in case an assailant countersues. You can't put your volunteers in that position.

I assume considering the size of Def Con the same applies.

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For US and especially Las Vegas events: usually the venue has their own professional security staff, some with law enforcement status of some kind, mostly with just security guard accreditation, some armed, some medically trained, etc. Venue also provides other paid employee or contractor staff for some things like cleaning, food service, etc. Especially in Las Vegas, this is highly unionized and regulated (to the point where connecting network and power cables within your own booth at a convention center event is prohibited and must be done by venue electricians at something like $400/hr)

Then hacker conferences like defcon have their own volunteer staff of various kinds. These usually are doing crowd control and information, but occasionally get involved in attendee drunken or stupid incidents, usually with lesser consequences to attendees.

Some high profile attendees (NSA head, John McAfee, etc) have their own personal security; goons/volunteers then worked as a buffer between those people and attendees. (I did this for a McAfee event at BSides which was super fun because his armed security were also high on methamphetamine and erratic)

>I did this for a McAfee event at BSides which was super fun because his armed security were also high on methamphetamine and erratic)

Casually thrown in there at the end! Tell us more?

> Not sure about this event but in Europe you have to hire a professional security company.

This is not universal across Europe.

I've been part of organizing computer events in the 5k participant range without any hired security or medical staff. I think it greatly depends on the standing and culture of volunteer work in your country.

> I assume considering the size of Def Con the same applies.

Defcon is completely insignificant compared to the scale and size of the events that occur in Las Vegas, there are more people partying on the strip on any average Tuesday.

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