Cybersecurity Challenges Take Center Stage at Black Hat MEA.

Riyadh: The second day of the Black Hat Middle East and Africa (MEA) 2024, organized by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP) and Tahaluf, a joint venture between SAFCSP, Informa PLC, and the Events Investment Fund, drew a substantial crowd. The event featured 10 activity zones, each presenting challenges and competitions to bolster participants' cybersecurity expertise. According to Saudi Press Agency, one of the highlights was the Bug Bounty Cup, a competition that attracted over 300 Saudi security researchers. Participants were tasked with identifying and exploiting security vulnerabilities in websites and applications provided by participating firms. The competition offered a total prize pool of SAR300,000, incentivizing participants to hone their skills and contribute to the cybersecurity community. Additional activities included medical device hacking, which focused on identifying vulnerabilities in smart networks and potential exploitation methods to increase awaren ess of the risks associated with devices in this field. Smart home hacking demonstrated possible cyberattacks on cameras and smartphones to breach home networks, stressing the need to secure smart home systems. By showcasing these real-world cybersecurity challenges, Black Hat MEA aims to raise awareness, foster innovation, and strengthen national cybersecurity capabilities. The event's interactive format and hands-on experiences provide valuable insights for both seasoned professionals and aspiring cybersecurity experts.