For us, it represented the chance to showcase our work and simultaneously be in the thick of the latest research, trends, innovations, and technology. In this post, I'll share our journey, event highlights, and a few personal experiences from our time in Las Vegas.
First Impressions: The Heat, The Scale, The People
Firstly, coming from the UK, it was the intensity of the heat in Nevada that hit us first. Stepping into 113 °F (45 °C for us!) was like walking into a furnace! We soon learned to appreciate the air-conditioned interiors of the event space and our hotel. The weather, though, wasn't all that impressed us; the scale of Black Hat itself was incredible!
Being surrounded by so many booths representing some of the biggest names in the industry was surreal, and it was great to connect with so many passionate people.
Navigating the Event
The lead-up to an overseas event was always going to entail a lot of work. We had flights, shipping, and other logistical stresses to contend with, but once we were there and in the swing of things, the event could not have gone better.
We had truly worthwhile conversations with the people who stopped by our booth. It was great to share what we do with the people who hadn’t heard of us before and, also, amazing to hear positive feedback from some of our current and former students.
Throughout the year, we’ve been having partnership discussions with people from incredible organizations across the US, some of whom were also at Black Hat. This gave us the opportunity to carry on our conversations in person, and finally put some faces to voices!
While we can’t share much on these partnerships yet, we will be announcing updates on our socials soon.
Having a larger booth gave us the opportunity to host our own demos, so we invited attendees to learn more about our certifications and even watch our first ever live BTLO Replays (walkthroughs of our retired blue team labs, check out our YouTube channel for more)!
All in all, it was a really positive experience, and one that sparked lots of ideas about the future of our content.
On day two, our CEO took to the stage to give an insightful presentation on a new framework for mapping and discussing insider threat, and the audience was very receptive.
The People of Black Hat: Friendly Faces and Passionate Minds
We could not have had a warmer welcome to Las Vegas, and we’re not just talking about the weather! Throughout the conference, we were met with genuine interest and enthusiasm for what we do at SBT.
We shared many meaningful conversations with people who are passionate about what they do. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who stopped at our booth, from those hearing about us for the first time to the people who have been a part of SBT’s journey from the very beginning. It was a pleasure speaking to you all, and your enthusiasm drives us to keep delivering outstanding cybersecurity training.
It was also a treat to be able to give away BTL1 vouchers to our lucky wheel spinners!
Experiencing Las Vegas: A Blend of Work and Play
For a good number of people on the team, it was their first time in the US and, as such, quite a special one. The energy of Las Vegas is truly unmatched, with the vibrant lights of the strip, and crowds of revellers and awed tourists wherever you go.
We planned a team night out on the Friday, with the team trying their hand at Top Golf (not as easy as golfers make it look!), before being blown away by the magnificent O from Cirque du Soleil. An amazing meal at Mon Ami Gabi rounded out the evening – it might have been the best burger I’ve had in my life!
Other highlights include the ice bar at Mandalay Bay (such a great contrast to the heat outside!), and The Cheesecake Factory, which boasts the largest menu we have ever seen – 19 pages of delicious dishes and mouthwatering cheesecake.
Reflection and Thanks
We were extremely thankful to be part of this year’s Black Hat USA, with its reputation as one of the world’s biggest cybersecurity conferences.
As always, we remain extremely grateful for our SBT community and the unforgettable experiences we’ve had on our journey so far.
Special thanks to the rest of the SBT team, everyone who helped to make the event a success, and to everyone who visited our booth and took the time to chat with us. We learned a lot from our first ever Black Hat, and we’re already taking these learnings on board and planning for more events in 2025!
Last but certainly not least, it must be said that Black Hat USA was an invaluable experience for us at SBT. It was a beautiful blend of hard work, learning, and fun. We can’t wait for what next year has in store!
