Black Hat Europe 2025: “The Future of Cybersecurity is Now” – Keynotes, Summits, and Breakthrough Innovations Shape the Industry

The premier cybersecurity conference successfully closed in London last week, setting new attendance records with over 25% growth

LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Black Hat, the cybersecurity industry’s most established and in-depth security event series, today announced the successful completion of the in-person component of Black Hat Europe 2025 at the Excel London. The event left attendees inspired by groundbreaking insights, cutting-edge product launches, and actionable strategies to counter escalating digital threats. With over 4,500 security professionals in attendance, the event solidified its reputation as the definitive platform for advancing cybersecurity innovation.

Keynote Highlights: Insights That Reshaped the Cybersecurity Landscape

This year’s Keynote speakers delivered powerful messages that resonated across the industry:

• Max Smeets, Co-Director, Virtual Routes, shared, “It seems that paying the ransom doesn’t at all appear to reduce public exposure. If anything, it increases it.” This presentation explored the evolving economics of ransomware and its implications for global security.
• Linus Neumann, Head of Security Strategy, Security Research Labs, dissected the risks of over-reliance on compliance frameworks.
• Joe Tidy, Cyber Correspondent, BBC, shared, “You don’t have to be brilliant. You just have to be adequate to get in and to cause chaos.” This presentation traced the progression of criminal networks and their sophisticated operations.
• Louise Marie Hurel, Researcher, Royal United Services Institute, explored the challenges and advancements in global cyber attribution.

Summit Revelations: Industry-Specific Intelligence

The event’s Summits took place on Tuesday, December 9 and unveiled critical insights tailored to specific sectors, including:

• AI Security Summit: The debut Summit revealed artificial intelligence’s dual role as both a cybersecurity threat and a defense mechanism, with discussions on adversarial AI, machine learning vulnerabilities, and AI-driven threat detection.
• Financial Services Security Summit: In this inaugural Summit, experts highlighted the unique vulnerabilities facing banking and fintech sectors, including supply chain risks and the rise of targeted attacks on payment systems.
• Black Hat Executive Summit: Now in its ninth year, this Summit provided strategic leadership insights, focusing on executive-level risk management and the evolving role of CISOs in navigating complex threat landscapes.

Business Hall: Where Innovation Took Center Stage

The Business Hall was a hub of activity, showcasing cutting-edge technologies from more than 120 of the industry’s leading cybersecurity solution providers. Attendees explored:

• Startup City: Emerging companies unveiled disruptive solutions, including Capsule Security’s runtime-first protection and control platform for AI agents, and VulnCheck’s exploit and vulnerability intelligence.
• Black Hat Arsenal: Hands-on demonstrations of 55 open-source tools and six Labs, including new frameworks for malware analysis and cloud security.
• ZeroDay Cloud: Wiz launched their cloud and AI hacking competition with up to $5 million in prizes, alongside their Operation Cloudfall, a live Capture the Flag (CTF) event featuring two challenge tracks and $20,000 in prizes.

Startup Spotlight Competition: A Platform for Innovation

New this year, the Black Hat Startup Spotlight Competition brought excitement to the Business Hall, with finalists Agger Labs, Capsule Security, Geordie AI, and VulnCheck presenting their groundbreaking products and solutions. After the judges deliberated, Geordie AI emerged as the winner, earning the opportunity to compete in the Global Startup Spotlight Competition at Black Hat USA 2026.

Addressing the Cyber Workforce Gap: Community and Professional Development Programs

Recognizing the critical shortage of skilled professionals in the cybersecurity workforce, Black Hat Europe 2025 placed a strong emphasis on bridging this gap through its Community Program, Trainings, and Professional Development Program. These initiatives were designed to empower attendees with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to address the growing demand for cybersecurity talent.

• Community Program: This year’s program fostered collaboration and mentorship, creating spaces for professionals at all levels to connect and share knowledge. Community Conversations focused on practical solutions to workforce challenges, such as retaining talent, upskilling employees, and fostering diversity in cybersecurity teams. Meetups provided opportunities for attendees to network with peers and industry leaders, building relationships that could lead to career advancement and innovation.
• Professional Development Program: With the cybersecurity skills gap widening, this program offered targeted sessions to help attendees advance their careers and fill critical roles in the industry. Expert-led workshops focused on emerging technical skills, such as cloud security and AI-driven threat detection, while leadership sessions prepared mid-career professionals to step into executive roles. Attendees also gained insights into navigating career transitions, with a particular focus on helping veterans, students, and career changers enter the cybersecurity field.
• Scholarships: To further address the workforce gap, Black Hat Europe 2025 awarded 71 complimentary Briefings passes as part of its annual Student and Veteran Scholarship programs, alongside its partnerships with industry associations. These scholarships reflect Black Hat’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and expanding access to cybersecurity education.

Closing Remarks: A Call to Action

Suzy Pallett, President of Black Hat, summarized the event’s impact: “Black Hat Europe 2025 was more than a conference, it was a call to action. The insights shared here will shape the future of cybersecurity and empower professionals to outmaneuver adversaries in an ever-changing threat landscape.”

As the cybersecurity community looks ahead to Black Hat events in 2026, the innovations, revelations, and connections forged at Black Hat Europe 2025 will undoubtedly drive the industry forward.

For more information on upcoming Black Hat events, please visit blackhat.com.

Top Sponsors and Partners of Black Hat Europe 2025 include:

• Titanium Sponsors: Broadcom, Google, and ThreatSpike Labs.
• Diamond Sponsors: Black Duck, Clover, KnowBe4, OX Security, Push Security, runZero, ThreatLocker, and TuxCare.
• Sustaining Partners: Armis, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Cyera, Google, ManageEngine, Qualys, SentinelOne, Sophos, Tenable, ThreatLocker, Trend Micro, Varonis, and Wiz.
• Global Partners: Broadcom, Censys, Concentric AI, Corellium, Fortra, Huntress, HackerOne, and wolfSSL.

About Black Hat

Black Hat is the cybersecurity industry’s most established and in-depth security event series. Founded in 1997, these annual, multi-day events provide attendees with the latest in cybersecurity research, development, and trends. Driven by the needs of the community, Black Hat events showcase content directly from the community through Briefings presentations, Trainings courses, Summits, and more. As the event series where all career levels and academic disciplines convene to collaborate, network, and discuss the cybersecurity topics that matter most to them, attendees can find Black Hat events in the United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia. For more information, please visit blackhat.com.

Contacts

PRESS
Stephanie DeAngelo

Senior PR & Communications Manager, Black Hat

619.510.1564

[email protected]