Black Hat MEA 2024: A Landmark Event in Cybersecurity Innovation and Collaboration
Black Hat MEA 2023: A Cybersecurity Milestone in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The highly anticipated Black Hat MEA officially kicked off yesterday, setting a global record as the largest cybersecurity expo by space, boasting over 53,000 square meters at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre. Running from November 26-28, this three-day mega-event commenced with an Executive Summit that delved into pressing issues such as the transformative role of AI in cybersecurity and the emerging threats in the digital landscape.
His Excellency Eng. Faisal Al-Khamisi, Chairman of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming & Drones, inaugurated the event, highlighting its remarkable growth since its inception. “Four years ago, we demonstrated the readiness of the Saudi market, and now Black Hat MEA has become the most-attended cybersecurity event globally,” he stated, emphasizing the participation of over 350 speakers and 450 exhibiting companies.
The summit featured notable sessions, including one by Kirsten Davies, Founder and CEO of the Institute for Cyber Civics, who addressed the vulnerabilities in electoral systems. “We must be unafraid to identify gaps in our security measures, especially in critical areas like voting,” she urged, advocating for innovative solutions such as blockchain technology.
Gary Hayslip, CISO at Softbank Advisors, shared insights from his extensive career, stressing the importance of building relationships to foster effective cybersecurity frameworks. Meanwhile, Bilal Baig from Trend Micro warned of the rising threat of deepfakes, illustrating how malicious AI can manipulate perceptions and compromise sensitive information.
As the first day concluded, Annabelle Mander, Senior Vice President of Tahaluf, remarked on the event’s success, stating, “The energy, innovation, and collaboration on display have set a powerful tone for the days ahead.” Black Hat MEA 2023 is not just an event; it’s a pivotal movement towards a safer digital future.