Our Mission:
To create a more inclusive information security industry.
The Diana Initiative Is:
A diversity-driven conference committed to helping all underrepresented people in Information Security. The Diana Initiative features multiple speaker tracks, capture-the-flag competitions, villages with hands-on activities, and workshops.
This year our theme is “Lift While You Climb.”
Our Vision:
We envision a future of diverse individuals represented at all levels in the information security industry and community.
Our Values:
Inclusion
Diversity
Humanity
Initiative
Respect
History
It was the summer of 2015. Hackers from around the world had gathered in Las Vegas, NV for DEF CON 23. In the cafeteria tucked away in the basement of Bally’s and Paris, 9 women found themselves chatting and laughing about their experiences in the field of Information Security. They were all passionate about their challenging roles in the male-dominated field and began exchanging strategies for success in their challenging environments. It was then and there that they accepted their new mission: to create a conference for all those who identify as women/non binaries, and to help them meet the challenges that come with being a woman in Information Security with resilience, strength and determination.
The first event in 2016 began with a morning speaking track and an afternoon of lockpicking and badge soldering in a small suite at Bally’s, bringing attendees together in a collaborative, comfortable setting. Interest and attendance showed that demand for a woman-focused InfoSec conference existed.
In 2017, The Diana Initiative was formed and the conference expanded to cover almost 2 days – with speakers on the evening of the first day, as well as the entire second day. There was also a hands-on opportunity for learning about lockpicking, a Career village, and fun contests.
During the summer of 2018, The Diana Initiative conference soared in popularity. But with this incredible growth and popularity, the space still couldn’t meet the demand, as attendees were continuously turned away due to over capacity of all the suites.
For 2019, the Diana Initiative was able to hold the conference at the Westin Las Vegas, granting us enough room for multiple speaker tracks (with 59 presentations and workshops), fully expanded villages (such as Lockpicking, Career, and Soldering), and a Capture the Flag event.
Due to the global pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Diana Initiative had to pivot into a virtual format. We’re proud to say that our over 1700 attendees had a great time over 2 days, with 3 talk tracks, 3 virtual villages, lots of fellow non-profit booths, and another amazing Capture the Flag event, not to mention the fun Networking after party!
In 2022 we hosted both a virtual event as well being able to return to Las Vegas for our first hybrid event. Our virtual event was a one-day event streamed on YouTube (428 unique viewers that day) and Discord (168 participants that day) who watched 11 speakers, 1 workshop and 4 villages. For the hybrid event we were smaller with 250 in person attendees, but we had 300 unique discord participants and YouTube viewers over the two day event watching 38 speakers, 4 workshops and 4 villages. The CTF has 49 participants, and our social involved board games and Dungeons and Dragons!
Stay up to date with our event by following us on Twitter [@dianainitiative].
The Diana Initiative is a non-profit corporation registered in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and is exempt from tax under 501(c)(3).
EIN : 82-2173128
The Diana Initiative Inc
8465 W Sahara Avenue Suite 111-585
Las Vegas NV 89117
