Black Hat USA 2018 addresses needs of the InfoSec Community with a new dedicated Briefings track and supporting programs covering topics such as mental health, inclusion, substance abuse, and career development. Over the past few years, Black Hat has made strategic steps in welcoming a wide range of professionals to the industry and offer a platform to discuss issues impacting the community. This year's additions will dive deeper with dedicated Briefings under the new Community track, scheduled meetups to encourage dialogue among peers, scholarship opportunities, health initiatives, and more.
Community Track: (August 8-9)
Developed to provide a focus on relevant issues currently impacting the InfoSec community, topics will span careers, diversity, security awareness, health, and more. Insights and solutions will be provided to help individuals both new to InfoSec as well as seasoned professionals. Below are a few talks offered under this track:
Community Programs: These programs have been developed to engage attendees on topics specific to the InfoSec community, as well as welcome a wider range of professionals to the industry.
Meetups (August 8-9)
In addition to Black Hat's longstanding Friends with Bill program, developed to provide a meeting space for those to share stories around sobriety and recovery, this year's event will offer additional meetups to encourage dialogue among the InfoSec community around critical topics. These meetups will follow Briefings offered under the Community track and provide attendees with the opportunity to share their personal stories within an open and safe discussion forum.
Scholarships
To introduce the next generation of professionals to the InfoSec community, Black Hat will award complimentary Briefings passes to a number of recipients through its Student Scholarship program. Additionally, Black Hat and EWF will again offer the Female Leaders Scholarship Program to minimize the gender gap among the InfoSec community and give students the opportunity to learn, network and collaborate with the world's brightest minds. Black Hat speakers will also be given two complimentary Briefings passes per talk to be given to students of their choice.
Non-Profit Partners
For a fifth year, Black Hat will be donating $100 for every Business Pass sold (up to a maximum of $50,000) to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to support their important work in protecting civil liberties within the digital world. Black Hat will also be donating all proceeds from its specialized 2018 event t-shirt to the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Corps, a joint project of the National Association to Protect Children.
Health and Wellness (August 8-9)
Black Hat will build on its initiative to offer healthy activities with the return of Yoga as well as the new Revive Lounge, which will provide a quiet and relaxing space for attendees to take time for self-care during the event.
Peer-to-Peer Mentoring and Networking Event (August 8)
Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) will be in attendance to give attendees the opportunity to network with privacy and security professionals as well as discuss Women in Security and Privacy Tandems, their Peer-to-Peer mentorship program.
Executive Women's Forum Meet & Greet (August 9)
This event welcomes all women attending Black Hat USA for a meet and greet to discuss InfoSec, privacy and risk management.
Diversity Reception – Sponsored by Salesforce (August 8)
In support of Black Hat's community programming, attendees will be invited to attend a Diversity Reception hosted by Salesforce. Participants will be given the opportunity to network with their peers while enjoying appetizers and refreshments.
Queercon Happy Hour (August 8)
Returning for a second year, Black Hat will host Queercon, the largest social network of LGBTQ hackers from around the world, for a reception during the event.
Black Hat USA will take place August 4–9, 2018 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. For more information and to save $100 on a Briefings Pass by August 3, please visit: blackhat.com/us-18/registration.html