World’s Largest Cybersecurity Gathering: Black Hat MEA 2024 Begins in Riyadh

Black Hat Middle East and Africa (MEA), recognized as the fastest-growing cybersecurity event globally, is poised to host its largest and most impactful edition yet. The event opens tomorrow at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, Riyadh, and will run until November 28. Covering an expansive 53,000 square meters—marking a 51% increase in space from the previous year—this year’s event establishes itself as the largest cybersecurity gathering in terms of physical footprint. Over 40,000 attendees are expected to join the fourth edition, including more than 330 speakers from 150 countries, 450 global brands, and 30 innovative cybersecurity startups. The event will also feature six national pavilions representing the USA, Canada, India, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Egypt.

Faisal Al-Khamisi, Chairman of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), emphasized the strategic importance of hosting Black Hat MEA in Saudi Arabia. He noted that the event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, reflecting the Kingdom’s ambition to be a global leader in cybersecurity. By fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and nurturing skilled talent, the event underscores the nation’s dedication to cultivating a secure digital environment.

This year’s Black Hat MEA features an Executive Summit, gathering over 100 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and senior executives to discuss critical topics such as safeguarding infrastructure, ethical hacking, artificial intelligence, and the evolving relationship between humans and technology. High-profile participants include Lori Wade, Chief Data Officer of the US Intelligence Community; Richard Rushing, CISO of Motorola Mobility; Dr. Kevin Jones, Global CISO at Bayer; Justin Ong, CISO and Chief Privacy Officer at Panasonic; Abdullah AlJaber, CISO at ROSHN; and Gary Hayslip, CSO at SoftBank Investment Advisors.

The event also promises dynamic, interactive experiences, including the Cyberseed Startup Competition. This competition will spotlight eight cutting-edge startups competing for the Cybersecurity Champion 2024 title and a $30,000 prize by presenting groundbreaking solutions to global investors and decision-makers. The Activity Zone will host a jeopardy-style Capture the Flag tournament with over 1,000 participants, alongside 11 specialized hacking zones focusing on industries like automotive, aviation, and smart homes. A new series of closed-door workshops will bridge academic knowledge and real-world application, equipping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals with essential skills.

Black Hat MEA 2024 positions Riyadh as a central player in the global cybersecurity arena, providing exclusive access to cutting-edge insights and innovations. Key topics include advancements in quantum computing, cryptography, threat detection, and AI-driven solutions. Leading organizations such as NetWitness, Cisco, KPMG, and Google Cloud will headline the event, demonstrating how technological innovation addresses the ever-evolving cybersecurity threat landscape.

Annabelle Mander, Senior Vice President at Tahaluf, the event organizer, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strategic position in cybersecurity. She noted that the nation’s expanding economy and substantial investments in technology make it an ideal hub for cybersecurity advancements. Events like Black Hat MEA not only foster international collaboration among experts from military intelligence, government, and industry but also significantly impact the local economy by boosting business tourism and strengthening global partnerships. Notably, this year’s event will host one of the largest-ever Capture the Flag tournaments in the GCC, further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s leadership in cybersecurity innovation.

The exhibitor lineup includes over 450 brands, nearly 240 of which are new to the event, with close to 50 from Saudi Arabia. Among the newcomers are prominent names such as Jamf and Blackberry from the USA, Darktrace from the UK, Endace from Australia, and Penta Security from South Korea. These exhibitors cover all aspects of cybersecurity, showcasing solutions to meet diverse industry needs.

Lakshmi Hanspal, Strategic Advisor and Investor at Silicon Valley CISO Investments, underscored the importance of events like Black Hat MEA in addressing the critical challenges shaping cybersecurity’s future. She expressed her enthusiasm for joining the global cybersecurity community on a platform dedicated to innovation and collaboration.

The ongoing expansion of Black Hat MEA reflects its evolution into a transformative movement shaping the global cybersecurity dialogue. With an extensive program of hands-on training, mentorship workshops, and groundbreaking keynotes, the event offers an unparalleled space for knowledge sharing and collaboration. Pre-registrations have already recorded a 16% year-on-year increase in attendance, signaling growing global interest.

Annabelle Mander highlighted that Black Hat MEA 2024 solidifies Riyadh’s emergence as a global hub for cybersecurity innovation. By uniting the brightest minds from across the world to tackle pressing cybersecurity challenges, the event serves as the launchpad for the future of cybersecurity, driving technological progress and economic growth in the region.