Community
Layer 8 Conference
Layer 8 organisers, Boston
A small annual conference on the intersection of social engineering and OSINT, with paid training days before it. Well-run by attendee accounts; little published material afterwards.
Layer 8 calls itself the first conference focused solely on OSINT and social engineering. It runs in June at Boston University with two tracks of talks and pre-conference training on OSINT, elicitation, and pretexting; recent keynotes have included Alethe Denis and Rae Baker. It is in person and ticketed, with a YouTube channel whose recent coverage is unclear.
Worth it if
- You work where OSINT meets social engineering: pretexting, elicitation, red teams
- You want a small conference where you can actually talk to speakers
- You are in the US northeast
Skip it if
- You need online access or reliable recordings
- Your OSINT is journalism or human rights; the framing is security
What is inside
- 01
Two talk tracks
Social engineering and OSINT talks from practitioners.
- 02
Training days
Paid classes before the conference on OSINT, elicitation, and tactical pretexting.
- 03
Sponsors
Security consultancies with a social-engineering practice.
What you will be able to do
- See how OSINT feeds social-engineering engagements
- Take a hands-on training day in a small group
- Meet the small community that works this seam
How current it is
Active, with the sixth edition held in June 2026 and the 2027 date not yet announced when checked.
- Updated
- Sixth edition, June 2026
- Maintained
- Actively maintained
How to get the most from it
- 01
Pair a training day with the conference
The training is where the hands-on value is.
- 02
Check the YouTube channel first
If recent talks are posted, you can judge the level before buying.
Strengths
- A focused niche
- Small and approachable
- Hands-on training
Limitations
- In-person only
- Few recordings
- Prices not visible on the site
Pair it with
FAQ
Questions, answered
Is it recorded?
A YouTube channel exists. Whether recent editions are posted could not be confirmed.
Who attends?
Security professionals, investigators, and students. Attendee accounts describe it as welcoming to newcomers.
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