Black Hat MEA 2025 Riyadh will bring together more than 45,000 cybersecurity professionals, 450 exhibitors, and 300 international speakers from December 2–4 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham. The three-day conference, co-organized by Tahaluf and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), represents one of the region’s largest gatherings focused on cyber threats, defense strategies, and digital resilience.
The 2025 edition builds on last year’s attendance of over 45,000 participants from more than 120 countries. This year’s program will feature what organizers describe as the world’s largest Cyber Activity Zone, including ship hacking simulations, cyber escape rooms, and mission-based challenges designed to test real-world security scenarios.
Key Takeaways
- Over 45,000 attendees expected at Riyadh’s cybersecurity summit December 2-4, 2025
- FBI Deputy Assistant Director and Humane Intelligence CEO among 300+ confirmed speakers
- Capture The Flag competition offers prize pool exceeding SAR 1 million
- Event supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals for cyber talent development and global partnerships
Conference Program Features 200+ Hours of Content
Black Hat MEA 2025 Riyadh will deliver more than 200 hours of presentations, workshops, and demonstrations across three days. Confirmed keynote speakers include Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, CEO and Co-Founder of Humane Intelligence; Devon Bryan, Global Chief Security Officer at Booking Holdings; and Todd Hemmen, Deputy Assistant Director at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Additionally, the speaker roster includes Dr. Chenxi Wang, Managing General Partner at Rain Capital; Jerich Beason, Chief Information Security Officer at WM; and Anne Marie Zettlemoyer, Fellow at the National Security Institute (NSI). Sessions will cover AI-driven threat detection, incident response protocols, emerging regulatory frameworks, and organizational resilience strategies.
Competitions and Innovation Showcases Return
The Black Hat Briefings will present vulnerability research and disclosures from ethical hackers and security researchers. Arsenal Labs will host live demonstrations of open-source security tools, allowing attendees to observe testing methodologies in real-time.
The Capture The Flag (CTF) competition returns as the region’s largest ethical hacking challenge, with global teams competing to identify vulnerabilities and defend systems. The competition carries a prize pool exceeding SAR 1 million, according to organizers. Furthermore, the CyberSeed Startup Competition will connect emerging cybersecurity companies with potential investors and industry partners.
Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 Goals
SAFCSP hosts Black Hat MEA 2025 Riyadh as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative to strengthen the Kingdom’s cybersecurity ecosystem. The event aims to accelerate cyber talent development, foster international partnerships, and position Riyadh as a hub for digital security innovation.
“Black Hat MEA reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to developing an advanced cybersecurity ecosystem built on specialized knowledge and national expertise,” said Faisal Al-Khamisi, Chairman of SAFCSP and Co-Chairman of Tahaluf. “Through our partnerships with local and international entities, we work to empower national solutions to compete according to global standards.”
Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, noted that the conference extends beyond technical discussions. “Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical discipline anymore, it’s the foundation of global trust,” Mander said. The event includes dedicated investor programs, startup showcases, and workforce development initiatives designed to attract investment and build regional cybersecurity capabilities.
What’s Next
Registration for Black Hat MEA 2025 Riyadh remains open through the event’s official website at blackhatmea.com. The conference will take place at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham, from December 2–4, 2025.
