2nd Edition of World’s Fastest Growing Cybersecurity Event ‘Black Hat’ Launched in Riyadh

The second edition of the world’s fastest growing cybersecurity event "Black Hat" was launched Tuesday at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). SPA
The second edition of the world’s fastest growing cybersecurity event "Black Hat" was launched Tuesday at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). SPA
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2nd Edition of World’s Fastest Growing Cybersecurity Event ‘Black Hat’ Launched in Riyadh

The second edition of the world’s fastest growing cybersecurity event "Black Hat" was launched Tuesday at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). SPA
The second edition of the world’s fastest growing cybersecurity event "Black Hat" was launched Tuesday at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). SPA

The second edition of the world’s fastest growing cybersecurity event "Black Hat" was launched Tuesday at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC) featuring the participation of experts, speakers, and investors.

The opening ceremony was attended by top officials and the Chairman of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming & Drones, Faisal Al-Khamisi.

During his speech he conveyed the significance of the three-day event, saying the gathering “embraces InfoSec experts and innovators from major global companies, enthusiastic to share their expertise through more than 600 hours of content over the next three days.”

"We are proud that last year, Black Hat Riyadh edition became the world’s most attended cybersecurity event, with 30,000 attendees," he added.

"With the opening of this edition, we are prepared to surpass our own record, welcoming more participants from all over the world, with more than 60,000 registered, more than 250 sessions, 350 leading companies from 70 countries, as well as prizes exceeding SAR1 million for the competitions and challenges during the event.”

He also referred to the role of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, saying “We attribute every milestone in the technology sector to our visionary and inspiring leader.”

Annabelle Mander, Senior Vice President of Tahaluf expressed her gratitude to the Saudi Federation For Cybersecurity, Programming & Drones, saying “The growth of Black Hat Middle East and Africa can be attributed to a partnership, in one of the thrilling markets globally. I would like to express my gratitude to our partners and friends at (SAFCSP) for their contribution, in making this achievement possible”

During the event there was an announcement regarding the collaboration between "HABOOB", owned by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity and Programming & Drones, and Mandiant by Google Cloud, aiming to deliver "Chronicle Cyber Shield" solution to the Kingdom.

This collaboration represents a step towards enhancing cybersecurity services across the government entities. The "Chronicle Cyber Shield" offers an integrated solution that empowers government entities to proactively and effectively detect cyber threats using technologies and resources while staying updated on the developments in this field.

The opening day of the Black Hat conference covered a range of subjects including discussions on cyber risks, the impact of software in warfare, techniques utilized in transportation hacking and the application of AI in development and security enhancement. The sessions were enriched by the presence of speakers like Sam Curry, Zscalers Chief Security Officer, Chris Wysopal, Veracodes Co-founder and CTO Graham Ludlow, Chief Cybersecurity Officer at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, and Camille Fasquez, a partner at Brown Rudnick.

The Cyber Seed Startups have commenced unveiling four distinct awards: the Innovative Ideator for startups in their infancy with promising ideas poised to enter the market, the Shining Seedling for startups in the early stages of development beyond the ideation phase, Established Excellence for experienced startups making significant waves, and the Saudi Superstar, providing an opportunity to showcase and promote the wealth of cybersecurity talent within the Kingdom.

Simultaneously, the Activity Zone promises awards exceeding SAR1 million across various competitions, including the CTF Competition, Bug Bounty Cup, Cyber Escape Room, Smart City Simulation, Chip-off Village, Drones Zone, Smart Contract Hacking, Medical Hacking, and Lock pick Village.

The Black hat event runs until November 16, featuring the participation of renowned exhibitors such as IBM, Cisco, Huawei, Spire Solutions, Trend Micro, Mandiant, Google Cloud, Cloud flare, Qualys, Illumio, SITE, Mobily, Cyberani, Al Moammar Information Systems, Haboob, and Sirar by stc, DSS Shield, Cipher, among many others.



Gold Extends Gains as Trump Tariffs Fuel Safe Haven Flows

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
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Gold Extends Gains as Trump Tariffs Fuel Safe Haven Flows

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

Gold prices rose for a second straight session on Tuesday, but traded below the recent all-time highs, as uncertainty around US President Donald Trump's tariff plans continued to fuel economic growth concerns and safe haven flows into bullion.

Spot gold gained 0.6% at $2,913.79 an ounce as of 0714 GMT. It hit a record high of $2,942.70 last week.

US gold futures added 0.9% to $2,925.50.

"Trump's disruptive modus operandi, aggressive rhetoric and tariffs - whether actual or threatened - could unravel global trade and intricate supply chains," said Nikos Tzabouras, senior financial writer at trading platform Tradu, Reuters reported.

"With uncertainty surrounding the global economy and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Trump 2.0 era, gold is set to remain a natural beneficiary of risk-off flows and central bank buying."

Since taking office last month, Trump has swiftly redrawn the global trade battlefield with a series of tariffs, while plans are already in motion for sweeping reciprocal tariffs, aimed squarely at any nation that taxes US products.

"Gold continues to benefit from the uncertainty surrounding the US. government's tariff policy. Central bank buying should also continue to provide support, even if there is no new data on this," Commerzbank analysts said in a note.

The market's focus has now shifted to the US Federal Reserve's January meeting minutes due on Wednesday for clues into the central bank's interest rate trajectory.

"Price gains are also supported by growing expectations that the Fed will cut rates in 2025 - a sentiment that gained further traction among traders after last week's disappointing US retail sales figures," Ricardo Evangelista, senior analyst at brokerage firm ActivTrades, said.

Bullion benefits from geopolitical and economic uncertainties, as well as rising price pressures, but higher interest rates diminish the asset's allure.

Spot silver fell 0.9% to $32.50 an ounce. Platinum jumped 0.9% to $985.20 and palladium climbed 1.6% to $978.00.