Black Hat MEA 2024 Kicks Off in Riyadh

Black Hat Middle East and Africa (MEA), the world’s fastest-growing cybersecurity event, has officially opened its largest edition yet at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, Riyadh. The three-day event, running until November 28, spans 53,000 square meters of exhibition space, marking a 51% increase from last year. This growth cements its position as the largest cybersecurity event globally by space.

More than 40,000 attendees are expected to participate in this fourth edition, which features over 330 speakers from 150 countries, 450 global brands, and 30 cybersecurity startups. National pavilions representing the USA, Canada, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt are also part of the event’s expansive showcase.

Faisal Al-Khamisi, Chairman of SAFCSP, highlighted the importance of the event: “Hosting events such as Black Hat MEA in Saudi Arabia exemplifies the nation’s ambition to lead in the cybersecurity field. Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, we aim to create a secure digital environment, foster global collaboration, and nurture skilled talent.”

The event brings together top executives, including more than 100 CISOs, to discuss critical topics such as artificial intelligence, ethical hacking, and protecting critical infrastructure. Notable speakers include Lori Wade, Chief Data Officer of the US Intelligence Community; Richard Rushing, CISO at Motorola Mobility; Dr. Kevin Jones, Global CISO at Bayer; and Gary Hayslip, CSO of SoftBank Investment Advisors.

Black Hat MEA 2024 also features interactive elements, including the Cyberseed Startup Competition, where eight startups compete for a $30,000 prize. The event’s Activity Zone hosts a Capture the Flag tournament with over 1,000 participants and 11 hacking zones covering industries such as aviation, automotive, and smart homes.

The event solidifies Riyadh’s position as a global cybersecurity hub, showcasing breakthroughs in quantum computing, cryptography, threat detection, and AI-driven solutions. Key exhibitors include major names like NetWitness, Cisco, KPMG, Google Cloud, and 240 first-time participants, including Jamf, Blackberry, and Darktrace.

Organized by Tahaluf, Black Hat MEA 2024 is set to break attendance records, with pre-registrations showing a 16% year-on-year increase. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the event serves as a vital platform for innovation, collaboration, and tackling urgent digital challenges. Riyadh’s growing prominence in cybersecurity ensures that Black Hat MEA is not just an event—it’s a movement shaping the future of digital security.