The Cybersecurity Summit in Riyadh attracted thousands of experts, CISOs, and founders, who gathered to address the evolving cyber threat landscape. The event emphasized real-world preparedness, advanced intelligence sharing, and collaborative solutions.
During the summit, participants discussed challenges shaping 2026, including expanded attack surfaces, AI integration in defense, and vulnerabilities in supply chains. Experts emphasized proactive strategies to mitigate risks.
Artificial intelligence emerged as a core topic. Anne Marie Zettlemoyer of the National Security Institute highlighted that AI has become critical infrastructure. She also urged participants to define responsible AI security. “The speed at which we defend systems has changed dramatically,” Zettlemoyer said, adding that urgent adaptation is required.
Furthermore, leadership under digital pressure was discussed. Charles Forte, director general and CIO at the UK Ministry of Defence, compared managing cyber threats to surfing a digital tsunami. He emphasized disciplined processes, targeted AI investment, and supply chain scrutiny to ensure resilience.
The evolving role of the CISO was another major focus. Derek Cheng, CISO at Deliveroo, presented the ‘CISO Maturity Model,’ explaining how leaders can transition from technical operators to board-level strategic decision-makers. Consequently, companies can strengthen overall risk management.
Practical simulations demonstrated emerging threats. In the Ship Spoofing exercise, participants observed how corrupted navigation data could reroute vessels in real time. The simulation revealed maritime sector vulnerabilities and underscored the need for robust defensive measures.
In addition, the summit hosted the world’s largest Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. Thousands of participants tested skills in cryptography, web security, reverse engineering, and forensics over a three-day tournament. Simultaneously, the Bug Bounty Cup identified critical vulnerabilities in live systems, showcasing elite ethical hacking.
Steve Durning, portfolio director of Black Hat MEA at Tahaluf, said simulations and competitions allow teams to test theory under pressure while accelerating practical progress. Moreover, these exercises foster collaboration across sectors.
Annabelle Mander, executive vice president of Tahaluf, noted that the event demonstrated the community’s speed, precision, and focus. “These discussions shape national resilience and global security,” she said, stressing the importance of coordinated action.
Consequently, the Riyadh Cybersecurity Summit reinforces the city’s role as a hub for digital security expertise. Experts predict stronger collaboration, better defense strategies, and improved preparedness against complex cyber threats worldwide.
The Cybersecurity Summit continues to serve as a vital platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, and global collaboration, preparing organizations to face modern cyber challenges effectively.
