Cache Tech Community Meetup - May 2025

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 24th, 2025
• Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (MST)
• Location: Bridgerland Technical College, West Building, Room 1860, 1410 N 1000 W, Logan, UT 84321

Event Overview

Join us for an educational workshop on Saturday, May 24th, 2025, from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (MST) at Bridgerland Technical College. This month, we’re diving into the world of DNS (Domain Name System)! Our presenter will guide us through the ins and outs of DNS, including its vulnerabilities and security implications. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about a critical part of the internet infrastructure that often goes unnoticed but impacts everything we do online.

Why Learn About DNS?

DNS is often called the “phone book of the internet” - it’s what translates human-readable domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses that computers use to communicate. Understanding DNS is crucial because:

• It’s fundamental to how the entire internet works
• DNS vulnerabilities can lead to serious security breaches
• It’s a key skill for networking professionals, system administrators, and security experts
• DNS configuration issues are among the most common causes of website outages
• Knowledge of DNS helps you protect your privacy and security online

Detailed Event Schedule

Please check the bottom of the article to find a map to the location.

Part 1: General Meetup & Networking (45 minutes)

• 1:30 - 1:45 PM: Welcome, introductions, and community announcements
• 1:45 - 2:15 PM: Open forum discussion on tech career paths
  • Educational journeys: comparing academic vs. self-taught experiences
  • Local tech job market insights and opportunities
  • Mentorship connections and resource sharing
• 2:15 - 2:30 PM: Break and networking opportunity

Part 2: DNS Deep Dive (60 minutes)

Technical Details

During the workshop, we’ll perform live demonstrations of DNS concepts and security practices. You’ll learn (maybe) to:

1. Understand DNS Infrastructure

   • DNS resolution process step-by-step
   • Authoritative vs. recursive DNS servers
   • How caching works and its security implications
   • DNS propagation and TTL (Time To Live)

2. Explore DNS Security Vulnerabilities

   • DNS cache poisoning and spoofing attacks
   • DNS amplification and reflection DDoS attacks
   • DNS tunneling for data exfiltration
   • Zone transfer vulnerabilities
   • DNSSEC implementation issues

3. Apply Security Best Practices

   • Implementing DNSSEC for authentication
   • Using DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT)
   • DNS filtering for threat protection
   • Split-horizon DNS for internal networks
   • Monitoring DNS traffic for suspicious activity

Preparation Checklist

To get the most from this workshop, please prepare:

• Required Software:

  • A modern web browser
  • Basic terminal/command line tools
  • dig, nslookup, or similar DNS query tools
  • Wireshark (optional but helpful for packet analysis)

• Optional but helpful:

  • Basic understanding of networking concepts
  • Familiarity with IP addressing and subnets
  • Understanding of basic security principles
  • A laptop with administrative privileges (to modify DNS settings)

Community Engagement

The Cache Valley Tech Community is all about creating a fun, supportive space for tech enthusiasts of all levels. This event is perfect for:

• Hands-on learning: Exploring real-world DNS concepts beyond just theory
• Skill building: Adding networking and security knowledge to your tech toolbox
• Making connections: Meeting other local tech enthusiasts and potential collaborators
• Finding mentors: Connecting beginners with experienced networking professionals

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is perfect for a wide range of tech-interested individuals:

• Network administrators wanting to strengthen their DNS knowledge
• Security professionals interested in DNS-based attack vectors
• Web developers who want to understand how domains really work
• System administrators looking to improve their infrastructure security
• Privacy advocates concerned about DNS privacy implications
• Complete beginners curious about how the internet’s addressing system functions

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of this workshop, you’ll walk away with:

1. A solid understanding of how DNS works behind the scenes
2. The ability to identify and protect against common DNS vulnerabilities
3. Practical knowledge of DNS security best practices
4. Tools and techniques for troubleshooting DNS issues
5. New connections with local tech professionals interested in networking and security

Connect With Us

Join our Discord community before the event to:

• Introduce yourself to other attendees
• Ask questions about DNS and networking
• Access preparation materials and resources
• Stay connected with the community after the event

We look forward to seeing you for an afternoon of learning, empowerment, and community building at Bridgerland Technical College!

Bridgerland Technical College, West Building, Room 1860, 1410 N 1000 W, Logan, UT 84321