What is Black Hat USA Las Vegas?

Black Hat USA Las Vegas is a major US cybersecurity conference, held every August. In 2024, it takes places on August 3-8 at the Mandalay Bay hotel and resort. It’s a “by security experts for security experts,” type of event, although it’s still valuable for vendors to attend and there are many ways for them to get PR attention at the show (which is our specialty).

The first four days of the conference are devoted to cybersecurity training programs for a variety of skill levels. The main conference is on the final two days and includes keynote presentations, briefings on the latest security researchers, hundreds of vendor booths, networking and social opportunities, and demos of open-source security tools. Ticket prices range from $2,599 to $3,299 depending on how early you register. There are also less expensive on-demand passes ($1,249 – $1,769) that give you access to recordings of all the briefings and presentations. Those are a good option if you’re interested in the show but unable to make the trip. Training courses last two or four days and cost $4,000 – $4,500 (you need to register separately from the main conference).

The Origin of Black Hat USA Las Vegas

The first Black Hat conference was held in 1997. The name is cybersecurity slang for a hacker who acts maliciously (versus a “white hat” hacker, who acts ethically). The event has a deep focus on cutting-edge security research, tools and training. All briefings and training courses at Black Hat USA Las Vegas must be approved by a review board of very smart people with very high standards. Usually, they are not available anywhere else.

Black Hat has grown significantly over the years. It’s now owned by Informa Tech, the same parent company as the analyst firm Omdia and the cybersecurity publication Dark Reading. It was entirely virtual in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and attendance dipped for a few years afterwards. Now, in 2024, it’s back to its former size and glory.

Why Attend Black Hat USA Las Vegas

Should you attend Black Hat? If you’re in the security industry, the answer is almost certainly yes. Black Hat is a great way for security practitioners to build skills and network. The learning opportunities there are unmatched; you can tell your boss that going will make you better at your job and not be exaggerating. Attending briefings lets you learn about current cybersecurity research from the experts doing it. If you have a little extra budget available, the hands-on attack and defense training courses cover everything from AI in penetration testing to defending SCADA systems from ransomware.

And since information sharing is at the heart of cybersecurity, security professionals tend to be very community minded. Black Hat USA Las Vegas provides many opportunities to network, build relationships and expand your professional circle.

For security vendors, Black Hat is an excellent source of sales leads if you’re targeting hands-on security practitioners. It’s also a unique opportunity to get feedback from experts (who won’t hesitate to tell you if your product sucks) and to learn about the research and trends that are on the horizon. The show is an opportunity to get press coverage and announce news, if you have an excellent PR agency (many other vendors are trying to do the same thing, so you need to be strategic). Voxus client SpecterOps will be at the show this year, presenting open-source tools, running training sessions, and networking with peers.

Conclusion

Black Hat is a must-attend events for exchanging knowledge, showcasing cutting-edge cyber research, discussing the latest trends, and showcasing product. Several Voxus people will be there and we’d love to meet with you. If you want to amp up your cybersecurity PR efforts (or any other tech vertical), we can help you. Let’s chat.

Image courtesy Security Magazine