Quiet Confidence An Introvert's Journey to Technical Public Speaking
Emma Fang
DEF CON 33 · Day 1 · Main Stage
In her compelling DEF CON talk, "Quiet Confidence: An Introvert's Journey to Technical Public Speaking," Emma Fang, a Senior Security Architect at EPAM, shared her transformative experience of evolving from a public speaking novice to delivering ten conference talks in a single year. While initially conceived with a focus on empowering women in tech, Fang adeptly broadened her narrative to resonate with a wider audience, particularly those who identify as **introverts**. This presentation transcends typical technical security discussions, instead delving into the often-overlooked soft skills and psychological barriers that prevent many talented professionals from sharing their expertise on a public stage.
AI review
A personal development talk dressed up with security-community framing, delivered at DEF CON where the audience came to learn how to break or defend systems. Fang is clearly sincere and the talk is competently delivered, but the content — CFP platforms, heart rate spikes, mimicking TED Talks at the gym — belongs at a general tech conference or a Toastmasters adjacent track, not on a DEF CON stage.