Riyadh hosts global cybersecurity hub at Black Hat MEA 2025

Saturday 06 December 2025 - 11:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Riyadh hosts global cybersecurity hub at Black Hat MEA 2025

Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, hosted the Black Hat Middle East and Africa (MEA) 2025, a landmark cybersecurity conference held from December 1 to 3. The event, organized by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones in collaboration with Tahaluf, attracted over 40,000 attendees from 160 countries, cementing Riyadh’s status as a global cybersecurity hub.

Spanning 60,000 square meters, the conference featured more than 500 exhibitors and welcomed 300 international speakers who delivered over 200 hours of technical content through nearly 270 workshops. The event’s Capture the Flag competitions drew 500 participants, showcasing exceptional technical expertise.

This year marked a significant increase in investor participation, with $3.7 billion riyals in managed assets represented during the conference. The event also facilitated the signing of over 25 investment deals, involving 200 investors and 500 studios and developers, bolstering Saudi Arabia’s digital economy and tech ecosystem.

Black Hat MEA has demonstrated steady growth in international participation, with previous editions attracting thousands of competitors, companies, and cybersecurity specialists. The event reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing focus on advancing its digital market and fostering global collaboration in cybersecurity, in line with its Vision 2030 goals.

By establishing itself as a premier platform for cybersecurity experts and enthusiasts, Black Hat MEA continues to drive innovation, knowledge exchange, and the development of cutting-edge security technologies in the region.