As a technical advocate targeted on cybersecurity in Study with Cisco, my mission is to empower our neighborhood with the information and instruments to thrive in as we speak’s ever-evolving panorama. Few cybersecurity occasions embody the spirit of innovation and studying fairly like Black Hat USA. I’m extremely excited to share that I shall be attending this 12 months’s occasion in Las Vegas this August, and I’m desirous to immerse myself within the newest developments shaping our subject.
What’s Black Hat?
When you’re new to the cybersecurity convention circuit, Black Hat is a globally acknowledged occasion sequence famend for its deep technical and vendor-neutral focus. It attracts a various viewers—safety researchers, hackers, company and authorities professionals, executives, and even these simply starting their cybersecurity journey. Black Hat USA 2025 will happen August 2-7 on the Mandalay Bay Conference Middle in Las Vegas.


Why I’m attending Black Hat this 12 months
At Cisco, my function facilities on championing safety options and equipping our neighborhood with related information. Black Hat affords a novel alternative to remain on the forefront of cybersecurity innovation. It’s the place the business’s brightest minds current breakthrough analysis, new instruments, and rising methods.
I’m attending to achieve firsthand insights into the newest threats and defenses, discover the dynamic interaction between offense and protection, and convey actionable information again to the Cisco neighborhood to boost our collective safety. It’s additionally a implausible venue for connecting with friends and thought leaders, fueling the continual studying mindset that’s important in our subject.
What I stay up for most at Black Hat USA
There’s no scarcity of issues to see and do at Black Hat USA. Listed here are a couple of highlights I’m particularly enthusiastic about.
Strategic cybersecurity insights from the primary stage
The primary stage keynotes all the time set the tone, providing high-level views on the present and future state of cybersecurity. This 12 months, I’m notably all in favour of Past the Limits: Reworking the SOC to Sort out Trendy Challenges, that includes Tony Paterra, Vice President, Product Administration – Safety Merchandise at Splunk, on Thursday, August 7.
Safety Operations Facilities (SOCs) face vital challenges—fragmented instruments, restricted visibility, and a persistent expertise hole, to call a couple of. I’m keen to listen to Tony’s imaginative and prescient for constructing extra unified and adaptable SOCs and discover how these concepts align with Cisco’s cybersecurity certifications. As somebody devoted to bridging the cybersecurity expertise hole, I worth any alternative to find out how we are able to higher assist SOC groups.
Slicing-edge risk briefings
The technical coronary heart of Black Hat lies in its briefings. That is the place main researchers reveal the newest vulnerabilities, assault strategies, and defensive ways. I’m particularly all in favour of classes protecting AI in cyber protection and offense, provide chain safety, and cloud vulnerabilities.
One standout is the Cisco Talos briefing, GenAI: The way it’s Being Used as a Lure, a Device, and a Weapon, offered by Nick Biasini, Head of Outreach, Cisco Talos, on Wednesday, August 6. Generative AI is quickly reshaping our business, and it’s important to grasp how risk actors leverage it. Listening to straight from Cisco Talos about real-world GenAI threats and defenses is invaluable for my function in advising and educating our neighborhood.
Exploring the arsenal
The arsenal is the place innovation comes alive. Stay demos, direct interactions with builders—it’s hands-on studying you may’t get wherever else. I’m all the time looking out for brand spanking new open-source instruments that simplify advanced duties and increase automation, particularly these aligned with DevNet rules.
That’s why I’m notably trying ahead to the AI Wargame on August 6 and seven. It’s a enjoyable, instructional attack-and-defense simulation. As you might know from my latest tutorial on AI vulnerabilities, I like pushing AI techniques to their limits. This wargame’s format, defending your chatbot’s secrets and techniques whereas probing others for theirs, offers a dynamic approach to expertise AI safety challenges firsthand.
Connecting within the enterprise corridor and past
Whereas the technical content material is excellent, the networking alternatives are simply as worthwhile. Black Hat gathers a vibrant and influential neighborhood, and casual occasions usually spark probably the most significant conversations. I’m trying ahead to participating with clients, studying about their experiences, and gathering suggestions that helps form Cisco’s options.
A can’t-miss occasion for me is the Splunk AfterParty with Cisco and Distinction Safety on August 6 at Allegiant Stadium. With unique stadium entry, refreshments, and the possibility to satisfy Splunk safety leaders and friends, it’s the proper setting to construct connections. The “Menace Hunter’s Cookbook” e-book signing by Splunk’s SURGe staff is a superb bonus!
Let’s join at Black Hat USA
I’ll be actively concerned in Black Hat all through the week, stopping by the Cisco sales space repeatedly to attach with attendees. When you’re attending Black Hat USA 2025, I’d love to satisfy you! I’m all the time keen to listen to about your newest challenges and successes and to chart the course for the way forward for cybersecurity collectively.
Be at liberty to attain out to me on LinkedIn to arrange a time to attach in Las Vegas.
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