Riyadh, November 29, 2024 – The third day of Black Hat Middle East and Africa (MEA) 2024, held in Malham, north of Riyadh, marked the unveiling of a series of significant cybersecurity initiatives and innovations that highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in digital security. The event, which runs from November 26 to 28 at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center, is organized by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones in partnership with Tahaluf, a strategic joint venture with Informa PLC and the Events Investment Fund. Black Hat MEA has become an essential global platform for the cybersecurity community, showcasing groundbreaking technologies and solutions that are contributing to the sector’s advancement.
Among the key announcements at the event was a strategic SAR 50-million investment by IMPACT46, a move that underscores the Kingdom's commitment to advancing cybersecurity technologies. This investment, revealed by Cipher, a prominent cybersecurity company, is set to bolster efforts aimed at enhancing the protection of digital systems across the region. This move is part of a broader strategy to establish Saudi Arabia as a leader in cybersecurity innovation, in alignment with its Vision 2030 objectives to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure.
A highlight of the event was the launch of several new products and solutions from Saudi companies. The Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE) introduced "MetrasXDR," an advanced extended detection and response system designed to bolster digital system security across sectors. SITE’s efforts to localize cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies reflect its commitment to providing robust digital protection solutions for both public and private sectors in the Kingdom.
In another significant development, Sirar by STC, the cybersecurity provider, unveiled "Athar," a data-leakage protection solution that promises to enhance data security for businesses and government entities. This initiative represents a crucial step toward securing sensitive information from unauthorized access or leakage, aligning with global best practices in cybersecurity.
Aramco Digital also made waves at the event with the launch of "Cyberani," the first cybersecurity operations center dedicated to safeguarding operational technologies in the Kingdom. Alongside Cyberani, Aramco Digital introduced "CyProducts," a line of advanced cybersecurity solutions designed to address the unique challenges faced by industries reliant on operational technologies, further strengthening the Kingdom’s resilience against cyber threats.
Additionally, Salam Company presented "Siyaj," the first Saudi next-generation firewall powered by artificial intelligence. This solution is tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, providing them with advanced protection against evolving cyber threats using the latest security methods. This innovation reflects Saudi Arabia’s push to equip businesses of all sizes with the tools needed to safeguard their digital assets.
International cybersecurity leader Trend Micro also made a strong impact at the event by showcasing advanced security solutions, including ASRM, a tool designed to help security managers predict attack paths and assess risks. The company also introduced Trend Vision One – SPC, a comprehensive solution for threat insight and data storage, which will be deployed within Saudi Arabia, further reinforcing the Kingdom’s cybersecurity capabilities.
In addition to these groundbreaking solutions, Saudi DataLexing introduced the next generation of productive tools, including innovative solutions such as automatically linked reports and integrated surveys, which aim to streamline cybersecurity operations and improve data management for businesses.
Black Hat MEA 2024 has proven to be an invaluable event, not only for global industry leaders and stakeholders but also for showcasing Saudi Arabia’s role in shaping the future of cybersecurity. By launching these new technologies and fostering collaboration between regional and international players, the event is contributing significantly to the Kingdom’s vision of developing a secure, innovation-driven digital economy. The growing number of homegrown cybersecurity solutions and investments highlights the Kingdom's commitment to becoming a global leader in the digital security space, with Black Hat MEA serving as a key platform for this transformation.
