Hack Local. Build Together. Dirigo.

DirigoSec unites Maine’s hackers, builders, and researchers around a shared goal: creating a more open, resilient, and private digital world together.

About Us
Born in Maine, powered by curiosity. DirigoSec is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing Maine’s technology and cybersecurity community through education, collaboration, and our state's innovative spirit.

We are the home and funding organization for DC207 (Maine’s DEF CON Group) and the organizing body for BSides Maine, the state’s premier community-built hacker conference.

From Kittery to Fort Kent, we bring together professionals, students, and hobbyists to share knowledge, teach practical skills, and strengthen the technology that connects us all. We are channeling Maine's independence and resilience to build the next generation of local talent: a community that learns, builds, and innovates together.

Our Board of Directors

Ben Strout

Director

Ben Strout is a longtime technologist and penetration tester with experience across healthcare, biotech, pharma, and fintech. He currently leads testing efforts at one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems. As the founder and primary contact for Maine’s DEF CON group (DC207), he has spoken at multiple conferences, served as a technical reviewer, and published more than 30 CVEs affecting widely used technologies.

Ryan Boutot

Director

Ryan is a cybersecurity consultant, hacker, maker, and hands-on educator. With nearly two decades working in full-stack development and offensive security, he has shared his experience through talks, workshops, and contests among the local security community.

Jim Troutman

Director

James Troutman is a technology consultant and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in Internet infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT leadership. He co-authored Maine’s winning $52M MOOSE Net NTIA middle-mile fiber network proposal and co-founded NNENIX, a regional Internet exchange. Troutman is also known as a lead organizer of SkyTalks, an off-the-record computer underground forum held during hacker summer camp.

Abhi Ray

Director

Abhi is a security engineer with 18 years of combined experience and expertise in Information Technology and Information Security. In his spare time, Abhi enjoys volunteering for non-profits in his local and professional communities.

Mark Northgraves

Director

Mark Northgraves is a cybersecurity professional, ethical hacker, and WarDriver with a passion for exploring and securing digital landscapes. He is dedicated to advancing the field of cybersecurity and wireless research while fostering collaboration and innovation within the hacker community.

Support Our Mission
Every Contribution Counts Towards Change

Projects

DC207

DC207 is Maine’s DEF CON group, a community-run event for anyone curious about hacking, security, and hands-on tech. We host free meetups, workshops, and project nights designed to make learning approachable and grounded in real practice. It’s the kind of place where you show up, try something new, and inevitably meet someone doing something interesting.

BSides Maine

BSides Maine is the state’s first and only hacker conference — a community-built event focused on practical security knowledge, hands-on learning, and showcasing local talent. It’s a low-cost, volunteer-run gathering with talks, workshops, and space to meet others who care about security in Maine, designed to keep high-quality technical content accessible and rooted in the local community.

Contact