Black Hat is committed to positively impacting the cybersecurity community and the planet. Below are key sessions, features, partnerships, and resources that highlight Black Hat’s efforts to deliver a responsible and inclusive event.
To inspire sustainable development in the cybersecurity community, Black Hat is featuring Briefings, a Community Lounge, Community Sessions, Meet-Ups, and Networking Events that connect to sustainability, diversity, and inclusivity:
The Hack@DAC Story: Learnings from Organizing the World's Largest Hardware Hacking Competition:This session will focus on the value of organization a hardware CTF and the benefits of the community.
How Hackers Changed the Media (and the Media Changed Hackers):This session will focus on the various experiences, perspectives and perceptions when it comes to hackers and the media.
Climb the Mountain Together: To Build an Inclusive Space in CyberSecurity with WiCyS: This meetup provides an opportunity for women in cybersecurity to network and meet other like-minded attendees.
Decrypting Careers: Navigating Paths in Security and Privacy: This session will feature distinguished experts in privacy and information security, as they share pivotal career experiences and offer practical advice for advancing in these ever-evolving fields.
Queercon Mixer: This meetup provides an opportunity attendees of the LGBTQIA+ to meet and network.
Sober in Cyber Community Meetup: This meetup provides inclusive networking opportunities for those that are both sober or are looking to take a break from alcohol-fueled events.
Community Lounge: Black Hat aims to provide a platform to discuss current issues on diversity and inclusion in the industry. A returning feature, this year the Community Lounge will focus highlight various communities within cyber, as well as the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts the community is making.
The Startup Spotlight Competition provides startups the opportunity to showcase their product or solution in a competitive environment. The top four finalists will present their product or solution live at Black Hat USA 2024!
We host annual Student and Veteran Scholarship programs, as well as partner with organizations to expand accessibility to our event in the form of scholarships. This year, we have partnered with the following organizations on scholarships: BlackGirlsHack, The Diana Initiative, The Executive Women's Forum, Women in Security and Privacy and Women's Society of Cyberjutsu.
Black Hat USA 2024 is powered by 100% renewable electricity
Our venue, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center focuses on various sustainability initiatives, including extensive food waste management and renewable energy programs, powering 90% of their daytime energy usage onsite via their solar array
We partner with Mandalay Bay on energy efficiency measures to reduce event emissions
Mandalay Bay has an excellent waste management program, ensuring as much event materials as possible are either reused or recycled. All food waste is either donated to the local community or used as pig swill in local livestock farms
Officially beginning in 2022, Black Hat USA will no longer incorporate aisle floor carpet within the design of the Business Hall, in order to help minimize the environmental impact often associated with short-term usage of carpet. The specific square footage of the amount of carpet that Black Hat USA 2024 will prevent from being sent to the landfill will be made available soon.
We preference digital signage and encourage exhibitors and sponsors to think about sustainability in their procurement choices
Water refill stations are available throughout the convention center
Black Hat has developed a Code of Conduct and Sustainability Pledge to hold itself, our attendees, vendors and contractors accountable to deliver the best event experience possible
Pronoun ribbons will be available at Registration and there is an optional field on our mobile app to display pronouns
The following resources will be available to our attendees: a prayer room, mother’s room, childcare, closed captioning for our keynote and open captioning for recorded content.
Briefings and Keynotes will include reserved accessible seating
We work with a number of Conference Associates who dedicate their time to help ensure attendees have an excellent event experience. In return, they receive complimentary access to the event and the opportunity to network with the cyber community’s biggest companies, often resulting in job opportunities.
We have partnered with Opportunity Village for kitting and assembly services for the Black Hat Attendee and CISO Summit Backpacks.
The Mandalay Bay Convention Center complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Hearing Capacity Act, and the regulations and guidelines.
Mandalay Bay and MGM Resorts have long and impactful relationships with the local community that they feed into, such as, providing donations of several event items to organizations like Three Squares Food Bank and Opportunity Village, as well as the Clark County School District.
