Black Hat Middle East and Africa

Black Hat Middle East and Africa, previously known as @HACK is a cybersecurity and hacking convention held annually in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With its reputation as one of the largest cybersecurity events in the industry, Black Hat MEA draws over 32,000 infosec professionals, 200 speakers, and 30 ministerial bodies from over 120 countries. Black Hat MEA is positioned on the map as an unmissable event for the industry to trade, take home new strategies and get expert training.[1][2][3][4]

Black Hat Middle East and Africa
StatusActive
GenreCybersecurity & hacking
VenueRiyadh Front Expo Centre
Location(s)Riyadh
Coordinates24°50′5.6544″N 46°43′46.1928″E
CountrySaudi Arabia
Inaugurated28–30 November 2021
FoundersSAFCSP, Tahaluf
Most recent15–17 November 2022
Attendance25000+ (2021)
32,000+ (2022)
Websiteblackhatmea.com

Co-organized by the Saudi Federation For Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP) and Tahaluf, an Informa company, meaning the event is backed by a Saudi government entity, and the largest B2B events company in the world.[5][6][7]

History

2021

In 2021, Black Hat MEA made its debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a part of Riyadh Season. Since its launch, Saudi Arabia has been cemented on the map as one of the key regions for infosec growth. This event brought together over 25,000 attendees from across the globe, including hundreds of CISO's, 50 expert ethical hackers, a host of renowned Black Hat trainers, and over 250 cybersecurity exhibitors.

In addition, the event hosted two contests: Capture The Flag and Bug Bounty, which was a resounding success and attracted top talent from around the globe.[8][9][10][11]

2022

The second edition of Black Hat MEA took place on November 15-17, 2022 at the Riyadh Front Expo Centre in Saudi Arabia, the event was a global showcase of the latest technical insights and products in the world of cybersecurity.[12]

Over 32,000 information security professionals from over 120 countries converged to experience the cutting edge of cybersecurity solutions and technologies.[13]

The event featured an interactive Activity Zone by NEOM, where attendees could hack critical information infrastructure assets using real-world systems and examples.[14][15][16][17] There was also a Cyber Escape Room Village, where visitors could test their cybersecurity knowledge through a physical activation game. Attendees even got the chance to hack drones and fly them in an obstacle course.[18]

The event also hosted a high stakes Capture the Flag competition, where 1,000 participants battled it out for cash prizes worth a staggering 700,000 SAR. The competition saw 250 teams fiercely compete over three days to prove their infosec prowess.[19][20]

Black Hat MEA participants were given the chance to showcase their cutting-edge solutions and technologies to a panel of esteemed judges as part of the Cyber Seed Start-up Competition, offering a $25,000 prize fund to the most innovative and disruptive start-ups in the industry.[21]

Speakers and sponsors

The first edition of Black Hat MEA saw Kurt Sanger, Alissa Abdullah, Magda Lilia Chelly,[22] Caleb Sima, Chris Roberts,[23] and Kim Albarella,[24] just some of the industry experts sharing insights, trends and tactics to help attendees develop strategies and solutions to some of the most pressing security challenges faced around the world.

The main stage also hosted Jaya Baloo, the Chief Information Security Officer of Avast Software and a reputable thought leader in cybersecurity who has received numerous awards for her contributions to the industry.[25]

Frank Abagnale, a former con artist and cybersecurity expert, was a special guest at the event. Abagnale is best known for his book and the movie Catch Me If You Can, which depicted his early life as a con man.[26][27] Today, Abagnale is a respected authority on cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and financial crimes, and he advises corporations and government agencies on how to protect themselves from cyber threats – which is exactly what he did at Black Hat MEA.

Some of the biggest sponsors that attended Black Hat MEA include companies like IBM, Cisco, Spire, Honeywell, Fortinet, Kaspersky, and Infoblox.[15][23][28][29] These companies are leaders in the cybersecurity industry and their presence at Black Hat MEA demonstrates their commitment to innovation and staying at the forefront of the industry.

See also

References
  1. "Saudi Arabia showcases its tech ambitions as @Hack named 'largest cybersecurity event of 2021'". December 2021.
  2. "SAFCSP Partners With Black Hat Organizers To Launch @Hack Conference In Riyadh To Highlight The Global InfoSec Industry".
  3. "Largest cybersecurity conference in the world kicks off in Riyadh". 29 November 2021.
  4. "Israel's cyber industry quietly prospects in Riyadh". 17 December 2021.
  5. "Cover Story: How Informa Markets is putting the Middle East region on the global map". 11 March 2022.
  6. "Spire Solutions to support Saudi's @Hack, underpin kingdom's cybersecurity endeavour". 17 November 2021.
  7. "Blackhat organizers rope in Spire Solutions as a Strategic Sponsor for @Hack in KSA". 16 November 2021.
  8. "New Security Event @Hack to Take Place in Saudi Arabia". 10 June 2021.
  9. "Saudi's @HACK redefines the cybersecurity landscape of the region". 2 December 2021.
  10. "@HACK cybersecurity event, makes Saudi Arabia the centre of ICT security".
  11. "Riyadh Season hosts @Hack as biggest cybersecurity event in region".
  12. "Black Hat, region's biggest cybersecurity event, comes to Riyadh mid-November". Arab News. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  13. "Black Hat, region's biggest cybersecurity event, comes to Riyadh mid-November". Arab News. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  14. "@HACK22".
  15. "Riyadh gears up for ultimate hack fest: Black Hat MEA 2022". www.tradearabia.com. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  16. Release, Press. "Catch him if you can! Frank Abagnale set to make an appearance at Black Hat MEA". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  17. "Black Hat brings together top international cybersecurity experts in Riyadh". Saudigazette. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  18. "Black Hat MEA concludes in style with 1 million SAR in competition prizes awarded and over 30,000 visitors during the three-day event". eyeofriyadh.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  19. Release, Press. "Catch him if you can! Frank Abagnale set to make an appearance at Black Hat MEA". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  20. "Black Hat, region's biggest cybersecurity event, comes to Riyadh mid-November". Arab News. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  21. "CyberTalents wins Black Hat's $25,000 prize". Wamda. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  22. "Black Hat Middle East and Africa". www.cantonfair.net. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  23. "Black Hat, the Region's Largest Cybersecurity Event, Comes to Riyadh in Mid-November – General Entertainment Authority". www.gea.gov.sa. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  24. "Black Hat MEA: Join the World of CyberSecurity | MAGNiTT". magnitt.com. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  25. "Black Hat MEA: Join the World of CyberSecurity | MAGNiTT". magnitt.com. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  26. "Frank Abagnale, Real Character of the Most Famous Fraud Crime Movie, Reveals His Secrets in Black Hat Cybersecurity Event – General Entertainment Authority". www.gea.gov.sa. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  27. "CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN! FRANK ABAGNALE SET TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE AT BLACK HAT MEA, THE ULTIMATE HACKATHON EVENT IN KSA". eyeofriyadh.com. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  28. "Inaugural edition of Saudi's @Hack to tackle challenges of securing the digital world". 18 November 2021.
  29. "'@Hack' conference kicks off in Saudi Arabia as cyber security experts attend". 30 November 2021.
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