After Panel Q&A
We will annouce where we can meet outside the room after the panel during our session.
Live Panel
PAX West 2026
Join our team from Palo Alto Networks, Unit 42, Microsoft XBox, and SANS at PAX West 2026 for a live panel called CTRL + ALT + DEFEND: Cybersecurity in Gaming.
The Panel
Protecting the gaming community through education.
From malware cheats to high-stakes Discord exploitation and scams the battles being fought are more intense than any boss fight. Join a party of cybersecurity professionals who are also lifelong gamers as we pull back the curtain on the digital underworld. We're sharing the perspective from the front lines to reveal the tactics game companies use to defend their players. The defense doesn't stop there: we're giving you the blueprint to harden your home network and have the "security talk" with your friends and family. Safeguard your code games and kids from the trolls hear the tales of exploits or level up your career; we will help you gain knowledge to protect what matters most.
Panel Info
- Date
- Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Time
- 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT
- Location
- Washington State Convention Center, Summit Building — Room: Frog Theatre (LVL 3, Rm 323)
- Format
- Panel discussion + live audience + Q&A
- Badge Required
- PAX West 2026 Show Badge (any tier)
Who's Speaking
Meet the Panelists
Cybersecurity Experts that are also passionate gamers. Find us all on LinkedIn.
Robert Baccus
Cortex Cloud Security Architect, Palo Alto Networks
Cam Byers
Cortex Cloud Security Architect, Palo Alto Networks
Stacy Hawkey
Senior Solutions Consultant, Immersive Labs
BlueSky: @myraccoonhands
Jason O'Brien
Solutions Consultant, Palo Alto Networks Unit 42
Evaristo
Microsoft XBOX Senior Network Engineer, Microsoft XBOX
Amanda
Principal Consultant, Palo Alto Networks Unit 42
Beyond the Panel
Find Us on the Show Floor
The panel is only part of it — here's where else to catch the team all weekend.
Walking around.
If you see one of us in the Expo Hall feel free to come up and tell us how you appreciate us, it really helps!
Community Meetup
If you know of other communit events or meetups that we can talk to, please let us know in person or contact us.
Ask about the meetupSee you on the show floor
No RSVP needed for the panel — just bring your badge and show up early, seating is limited.
Software Tools
Set-and-Forget Public Resolvers
These services require zero configuration beyond swapping the DNS IP addresses on your router or device.
ControlD
Blocks malware, ads, trackers, and adult content. Safer for kids.
Quad9
Enterprise-grade malware blocking.
AdGuard (Public DNS)
Ad, tracker, and malware blocking.
Cloudflare
Speed-focused malware blocking.
Community-Driven & Hardened Resolvers
These are non-commercial, donation-funded projects operated in Europe under strict GDPR compliance.
DNSForge
Anti-censorship, strict privacy, ad, tracker, and malware blocking.
Visit dnsforge.deDNSBunker
Hardened, maximum-privacy ad and threat blocking.
Visit dnsbunker.orgHardware Tools
For Home Networks & Gaming DevicesPhysical devices that sit at the edge of your network to filter, route, and protect traffic before it ever reaches your devices.
Router/Firewall Combos
ISP Provided Device
Varies by provider. Basic protection built into the router your internet service provider supplies — functionality and configurability depend heavily on the make and model.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Series
A step up from stock ISP hardware, with more configurable firewall settings, QoS controls, and gaming-oriented features baked in.
Dedicated Hardware Firewalls
Ubiquiti UniFi Security Gateway (USG)
A dedicated gateway appliance built for the UniFi ecosystem, offering deep packet inspection and centralized network management.
Firewalla
A compact, purpose-built firewall appliance designed for easy setup with strong intrusion detection and ad/tracker blocking out of the box.
pfSense/OPNsense Appliances
Open-source firewall platforms for those who want full control — highly configurable, enterprise-capable, and popular with power users.
Basic Firewall Rules
A minimal, sane starting point for locking down a home network — regardless of which hardware you choose above.
Default Deny Inbound
Block all incoming traffic from WAN unless explicitly requested, and use geolocation blocking to restrict traffic by region.
Advanced Egress Filtering
Drop non-essential outbound ports and restrict outgoing protocols so nothing leaves your network without a clear reason.
Network Segmentation
Divide your network into secure zones using VLANs — separate IoT devices and guest traffic from your primary, trusted devices.
Online Safety
Methods for protecting your online gaming experience
Do you really know who you are playing with?
If you don't know the person physically, then should you have an online relationship with them? How much do you really trust them?
Family & Parent Safety
Helpful organizations for keeping gaming families informed and supported.