Riyadh Hosts Fourth Edition of Black Hat MEA 2025, Attracting 50,000 Visitors and 500 Global Cybersecurity Companies
The fourth edition of Black Hat Middle East & Africa 2025 opened Tuesday in Riyadh, marking one of the largest global gatherings in the cybersecurity sector. The event is organized by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, together with Tahaluf, the joint venture between the Federation, the Events Investment Fund, and Informa International. Activities run from 2 to 4 December at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Mulham.
This year’s edition brings together more than 50,000 specialists and visitors from 163 countries, reinforcing the event’s position as the region’s most influential cybersecurity platform.
Muteb Al-Qani, CEO of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, highlighted the scale of Black Hat MEA 2025, noting the participation of more than 500 companies, 66 percent of which are international. He added that over 300 speakers are delivering more than 200 hours of technical content, a 35 percent increase from last year, further strengthening Riyadh’s status as a global hub for cybersecurity innovation and a prime destination for leading industry players.
Al-Qani emphasized that senior executives represent 50 percent of total attendees, reflecting the event’s growing impact on the business environment and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
The opening also showcased success stories of startups that emerged from previous editions of Black Hat. DataLexing has expanded to 41 countries, now serving more than 3,500 clients; Spidersilk has raised nearly $9 million and returns this year as a major exhibitor; while Solidrange has recorded more than 450 percent growth within a single year, driven by opportunities generated through the event.
In talent development, Al-Qani announced the launch of an intensive five-day training program in partnership with leading global entities such as CQURE and OffSec, maintaining a satisfaction rate of 92 percent in previous editions. Hundreds of young talents from the Mulham region are also participating in organization and operations teams.
Black Hat MEA 2025 continues through 4 December, featuring advanced workshops, specialized sessions, innovation platforms, and the annual startup competition, whose winner will secure a place at Black Hat USA 2026.