Riyadh to host the cybersecurity community with Black Hat MEA 2025 nearing
As AI-driven threats and automated attacks reshape the cyber risk landscape, security leaders are looking forward to a critical meeting point in Riyadh this winter. Black Hat MEA, the regional version of the leading global cybersecurity event, will return for its fourth edition from December 2–4, 2025, bringing the international cybersecurity community to the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center – Malham.
Organized by Saudi-based events company Tahaluf, in partnership with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and MENA TECH as a media partner, Black Hat MEA 2025 is expected to welcome more than 45,000 attendees, 450 exhibitors, and over 300 speakers, with 250+ hours of content across three days. The event has quickly grown into one of the world’s most prominent cybersecurity platforms, combining high-level strategy discussions with deeply technical sessions and hands-on experiences.
This year’s program builds on the global Black Hat legacy while focusing on priorities that are particularly relevant to the Middle East and Africa. Executive summits will bring together ministers, regulators, and senior executives to discuss cyber resilience, AI governance, critical infrastructure protection, and regulatory trends. In parallel, the Briefings track will host original research, new tools, and real-world case studies from researchers, ethical hackers, and security engineers.
The experience extends far beyond the main stages. In “Arsenal” and the Business Hall, technologies ranging from threat intelligence platforms and SOC modernization tools to cloud security, OT security, and incident response solutions will be showcased, providing visitors with a broad view of how the market is evolving. A dedicated Cyber Seed Startup Village will return with a stronger investor-matchmaking program, offering founders and early-stage teams access to regional and international investors seeking the next wave of cyber-defense innovation.
Competitions and live environments are another defining aspect of Black Hat MEA. The event will once again host one of the world’s largest Capture the Flag (CTF) hackathons, drawing hundreds of teams who will compete across advanced challenges that mirror real-world attack surfaces. Training and hands-on labs will allow participants to deepen their expertise in areas such as penetration testing, red teaming, cloud security hardening, and incident response, under the guidance of experienced trainers and global practitioners.
Youth and skills development remain central to the agenda. Through initiatives such as Black Hat Campus, training programs, and deep-dive workshops, students and early-career professionals will gain exposure to live tools, real attack scenarios, and direct mentoring from industry experts. The goal is to help narrow the global cyber skills gap by equipping the region’s next generation with practical capabilities and professional networks.
Riyadh itself is an integral part of the story. The city has positioned cybersecurity, AI, and cloud technologies as core enablers of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and Black Hat MEA reflects that ambition by serving as a neutral platform where government entities, enterprises, academia, and hacker communities can collaborate.
For attendees, making the most of Black Hat MEA 2025 will mean approaching it as an immersive experience rather than a traditional trade show: planning ahead using the agenda, prioritizing key Briefings and summits, exploring the startup and innovation zones, and engaging with community-led sessions that often surface emerging ideas before they reach the mainstream. With its mix of global thought leadership and regional focus, Black Hat MEA 2025 is set to be one of the year’s defining checkpoints for anyone concerned with the future of cybersecurity.
