Black Hat Middle East and Africa (MEA), the world’s fastest-growing cybersecurity event, has opened today at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, Riyadh. This year’s edition, running through November 28, marks the event’s largest gathering to date, covering an expansive 53,000 square meters of exhibit space – a 51% increase from last year. More than 40,000 attendees are expected, including over 330 thought leaders 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, Turkey, and Egypt.
Faisal Al-Khamisi, Chairman of SAFCSP, emphasized ahead of the event: “Hosting Black Hat MEA in Saudi Arabia highlights the nation’s drive to lead the global cybersecurity landscape. In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, we are committed to fostering a secure digital ecosystem that drives innovation, promotes global collaboration, and nurtures talent through initiatives like this one.”
Cybersecurity Thought Leaders Gather for Executive Summit
An exclusive Executive Summit will bring together over 100 top-tier CISOs and senior executives to discuss key topics including critical infrastructure protection, AI advancements, ethical hacking, and the evolving relationship between humans and machines. The Summit will feature an impressive roster of global experts from Fortune 500 companies, including 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 & Chief Privacy Officer at Panasonic; Abdullah AlJaber, CISO at ROSHN; and Gary Hayslip, CSO at SoftBank Investment Advisors.
The event also offers a diverse range of interactive features, including the Cyberseed Startup Competition, where eight cybersecurity startups will compete for the title of Cybersecurity Champion 2024 and a $30,000 prize. This exciting competition showcases cutting-edge cybersecurity innovations to investors, decision-makers, and tech buyers worldwide.
In addition, the Activity Zone will host a dynamic Capture the Flag (CTF) tournament with over 1,000 participants, alongside 11 hacking zones covering critical sectors such as automotive, aviation, and smart homes. The event will also feature a significant expansion of content with a 75% increase in programming, including new closed-door workshops designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Saudi Arabia: A Cybersecurity Innovation Leader
Black Hat MEA 2024 further cements Riyadh’s position as a global cybersecurity powerhouse, offering exclusive access to industry leaders and groundbreaking insights into emerging technologies such as quantum computing, cryptography, and AI-driven threat detection solutions. “Black Hat MEA will feature the latest advancements in cybersecurity, positioning Riyadh as a hub for innovation and collaboration,” said Annabelle Mander, Senior Vice President at Tahaluf. “With prominent players like NetWitness, Cisco, KPMG, and Google Cloud participating, this event is central to shaping the future of cybersecurity on a global scale.”
Mander also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in driving the growth of cybersecurity innovation: “With its rapidly expanding economy and strategic technology investments, Saudi Arabia is a prime destination for cybersecurity advancements. Hosting an event of this magnitude not only addresses pressing cybersecurity challenges but also creates significant economic impact, strengthens international partnerships, and promotes local growth. Black Hat MEA 2024 is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a global cybersecurity leader.”
The exhibitor lineup includes over 450 brands, with 240 newcomers and nearly 50 Saudi-based companies. Notable new exhibitors include Jamf (USA), Blackberry (USA), Darktrace (UK), Endace (Australia), and Penta Security (South Korea).
“Events like Black Hat MEA are essential in addressing the emerging challenges that define the future of cybersecurity,” said Lakshmi Hanspal, Strategic Advisor and Investor at Silicon Valley CISO Investments. “I’m thrilled to join the global cybersecurity community at this premier platform for innovation and collaboration.”
Riyadh: The Emerging Global Cybersecurity Hub
The continued growth of Black Hat MEA is transforming it into a pivotal force in global cybersecurity, providing hands-on training, mentorship opportunities, and inspiring keynotes. “Black Hat MEA underscores Riyadh’s emergence as a global hub for cybersecurity innovation, gathering the brightest minds to address the sector’s most urgent challenges,” said Mander. “With a rapidly expanding platform, Black Hat MEA 2024 is where the future of cybersecurity begins.”
Event organizers Tahaluf expect to break attendee records this year, with pre-registrations showing a 16% year-on-year increase. This growth signals the region’s increasing importance in the cybersecurity landscape, further positioning Riyadh as a central player in global cybersecurity innovation.
