Black Hat MEA 2025 will return to Riyadh from 2–4 December at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham. Officials announced that the event will focus on defending digital frontiers and decoding emerging cyber threats.

The organizers revealed that this edition will feature the world’s largest Cyber Activity Zone. It will include ship hacking simulations, cyber escape rooms, and real-world mission-based challenges.

Co-organized by Tahaluf in partnership with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), Black Hat MEA continues to grow as one of the world’s largest cybersecurity gatherings. The 2024 edition reported a record 45,000 participants from more than 120 countries.

This year’s edition will offer 200+ hours of content and host over 300 speakers. Confirmed keynote speakers include:
• Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, CEO and Co-Founder of Humane Intelligence
• Devon Bryan, Global Chief Security Officer at Booking Holdings
• Todd Hemmen, Deputy Assistant Director at the FBI

Other speakers include Dr. Chenxi Wang of Rain Capital, Jerich Beason of WM, and Anne Marie Zettlemoyer of the National Security Institute.

Organizers announced that the conference will highlight AI-driven threat detection, incident response, new regulations, and resilience strategies. They added that global collaboration is shaping the future of cybersecurity practice.

Hosted by SAFCSP, Black Hat MEA supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The event aims to strengthen global partnerships, accelerate cyber talent development, and position Riyadh as a global center for cyber resilience.

Faisal Al-Khamisi, Chairman of SAFCSP and Co-Chairman of Tahaluf, reported that the Kingdom remains committed to advancing its cybersecurity ecosystem. He emphasized empowering national solutions to compete globally.

Signature features returning for 2025 include Black Hat Briefings, which will present research and vulnerability disclosures from ethical hackers. Arsenal Labs will feature live demonstrations of new open-source security tools.

The Capture The Flag competition will return as the region’s largest hacking challenge, with a prize pool of more than SAR 1 million. The CyberSeed Startup Competition will showcase regional cybersecurity startups and connect them with global investors.

Officials revealed that Black Hat MEA 2025 will also expand investor programs, startup showcases, and talent development initiatives. These efforts aim to attract investment, foster innovation, and upskill the region’s cybersecurity workforce.

Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, said that cybersecurity is now the foundation of global trust. She added that Saudi Arabia is shaping digital resilience from Riyadh.

Steve Durning, Portfolio Director, stated that each edition pushes the boundaries of what a cybersecurity event can deliver. He said the mission is to keep the community curious, fearless, and connected.

As cyber threats evolve, Black Hat MEA 2025 stands at the center of global collaboration. The event aims to turn ideas into action and partnerships into progress, reinforcing its role in defining the next era of cybersecurity.

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