A practitioner-led information security community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Monthly meetups. Real talks. Real community.
WHY WE EXIST
Learn
Learn offensive and defensive cybersecurity concepts
Enrich
Enrich professional skills through collaborative and interactive forums
Stay Current
Stay current on security industry trends and developments
Promote
Promote awareness of sound privacy and security practices
Share
Share employment and project opportunities
Community First
Supporting our local community — and travelers are always welcome
Learn
Learn offensive and defensive cybersecurity concepts
Enrich
Enrich professional skills through collaborative and interactive forums
Stay Current
Stay current on security industry trends and developments
Promote
Promote awareness of sound privacy and security practices
Share
Share employment and project opportunities
Community First
Supporting our local community — and travelers are always welcome
THE RECORD
Don Ngo and a small group of DFW security professionals decided the metroplex needed its own practitioner-led community. The first meetups were small, technically dense, and intentionally practitioner-focused. The Meetup group and Twitter account both launched in February 2013.
The monthly cadence locked in. Topics ranged from offensive techniques to defensive architecture to the emerging ransomware threat landscape. The group began live-streaming on Twitter/Periscope, extending reach beyond the room.
NTXCSG became a fixture in the North Texas security community—the place where practitioners went to hear real talks from people doing the work. Topics expanded into ICS/SCADA, API security, cloud architecture, and social engineering.
The group adapted and continued through challenging times. Monthly meetups persisted. The community that had been built over seven years proved resilient—members kept showing up, kept sharing knowledge, kept supporting each other.
Leadership transitioned to Darin F. and the current organizer team. The group crossed 1,600 members. 128+ events logged. The community that started in 2013 has now outlasted most of the companies, tools, and threats discussed at the first meetings.
CAPTURE THE FLAG
MEET THE ORGANIZER
Security practitioner with over two decades in the industry. Founded NTXCSG in 2013 to give DFW security professionals a space to learn, share, and connect.
THE NETWORK
BRIEFING
Is there a cost to attend?
No. NTXCSG meetups are completely free. We're a volunteer-run community group.
Do I need to be an expert?
Not at all. We welcome everyone from students to seasoned pros. Just bring genuine interest.
What happens at a meetup?
Technical presentations from community members, followed by open discussion and networking.
What's the vibe like?
Casual and welcoming. We meet at Main Street Cafe in downtown Lewisville — food, drinks, and good company included. View the menu →
Where do you meet?
Main Street Cafe in downtown Lewisville. The exact address is shared with Meetup members before each event.
How do I present a topic?
We're always looking for speakers. Reach out via Meetup or any of our social channels.