DEF CON 2025 - Gold Bug DC33: WWT's Treasure-Hunting Triumph!
WWT's Treasure-Hunting Triumph!
DEF CON 2025 - Gold Bug DC33 (August 7-10, 2025, Las Vegas) was a hacker's paradise, and World Wide Technology's (WWT) team of Zach Turpen, Andrew Merrylees, Todd Erickson and Brett Turner, stole the show with a stellar sixth-place finish in the Gold Bug DC33: Treasure Seeker's Spoils contest. This crew of code-cracking masterminds tackled cryptic puzzles with flair, proving they're among the best in the cybersecurity game. Let's celebrate their epic run!
Cracking the Gold Bug Code
The Gold Bug Contest is DEF CON's ultimate brain-teaser, blending cryptography, puzzle-solving and wild creativity inspired by Poe's cryptic tale. With 225 teams registered, only 75 scored points across 14 puzzles (including a meta-puzzle), submitting 1,845 answers (206 correct). WWT's team crushed it, landing in the top six by decoding mind-bending ciphers and unraveling digital riddles with precision and panache.
The WWT Dream Team
This 6th-place finish was no accident. Meet the squad that made it happen:
- Zach Turpen: The code conjurer who bends applications to his will, turning complexity into clean magic.
- Andrew Merrylees: The cryptologist extraordinaire, able to twist numbers and symbols until they spill their secrets.
- Todd Erickson: The programming polymath who speaks fluently in more languages than most people can name.
- Brett Turner: The strategist and steady hand, keeping the crew aligned when the DEF CON storm hit full force.
Together, they blended brains, grit and teamwork to shine against the world's top hackers.
Why it's a big deal
Scoring sixth in a field of 225 teams at DEF CON 33—the planet's premier hacker convention—is huge. The Gold Bug Contest demands technical chops, creative sparks and seamless collaboration, all of which WWT's team delivered in spades. This achievement showcases WWT's commitment to pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity innovation and inspires the global tech community.
Big props to the WWT crew
Huge congrats to Zach, Andrew, Todd and Brett! Your sixth-place finish is a badge of honor, showcasing your skills and spirit. You've made WWT proud and left a mark on DEF CON's legacy. Can't wait to see you dominate more puzzles and inspire the next wave of hackers!
Join the quest
Feeling the hacker vibe? DEF CON's contests, from CTF to Gold Bug, are your chance to shine. WWT's aiming for a top 3 spot next year and needs remote team members to boost our knowledge base (the winning team, Shagworm, had 30-45 global helpers!). Checkout goldbug.cryptovillage.org/puzzles.html and contact Brett.Turner@wwt.com to join the 2026 WWT crew. Follow defcon.org for updates and get ready to hunt some treasure!