Black Hat, the renowned producer of cybersecurity events, has recently launched its Sustainability Pledge as part of its commitment to positively impact the cybersecurity community and the planet. The Pledge outlines various initiatives that Black Hat will prioritize across all of its events, with the aim of becoming a net zero carbon business by 2030.
Steve Wylie, the Vice President of the Cybersecurity Market Group at Informa Tech, emphasized the responsibility that Black Hat has to ensure the community feels represented and informed about the sustainable practices being implemented. By publishing the Sustainability Pledge, Black Hat hopes to inspire attendees and partners to contribute to the goal of making Black Hat events the best they can be.
One of the key initiatives of the Sustainability Pledge is to inspire sustainable development within the cybersecurity community. Black Hat USA 2023 will feature various platforms such as Briefings, a Community Lounge, and a Community Program to increase awareness and strengthen access to the industry. For example, the Diversity Microtalks session will address inclusivity by discussing topics like team energy costs, breaking barriers, and reducing microaggressions.
The Community Lounge will provide a platform for discussing diversity and inclusion issues in cybersecurity, focusing on topics like women in the industry and the challenges they commonly face. Additionally, the Community Program will feature a session on the relationship between climate change, cybersecurity, and information security (InfoSec), highlighting the importance of promoting environmental sustainability.
To make Black Hat events more accessible, the organization is hosting its annual Student and Veteran Scholarship programs and partnering with organizations like Black Girls Hack, The Diana Initiative, Executive Women’s Forum, Women in Security and Privacy, and Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu to offer additional scholarship opportunities.
Black Hat is also dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact. In 2022, it made the decision to eliminate aisle floor carpet at Black Hat USA, diverting a significant amount of carpet from landfills. The organization will continue to prioritize digital signage and encourage exhibitors and sponsors to adopt sustainable procurement choices. Additionally, Black Hat is collaborating with the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to implement energy efficiency measures and manage food waste, reducing emissions from its events.
Another important aspect of Black Hat’s sustainability efforts is designing socially responsible events. The organization ensures the inclusion of sessions highlighting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the cyber community. For example, pronoun ribbons will be available at registration, and the mobile app will include an optional field to display pronouns. Black Hat also prioritizes accessibility by providing resources such as dedicated seating, prayer rooms, childcare, and a Mothers Room. Recorded content will have captioning for on-demand access.
To learn more about Black Hat USA 2023’s commitment to sustainability, interested individuals can visit the designated webpage. For registration and additional information about the event, they can visit the official Black Hat USA 2023 website.
Black Hat has been a leader in providing the latest information security research, development, and trends for over 25 years. Their events and trainings bring together professionals from academia, world-class researchers, and leaders in both public and private sectors to encourage growth and collaboration. Black Hat events are held annually in various regions around the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia.
Black Hat is brought to you by Informa Tech, a market-leading provider of research, media, training, and events for the global technology community. With a presence in over 20 markets, Informa Tech aims to inspire the technology community to build a better digital world through their various brands.
In conclusion, Black Hat’s Sustainability Pledge demonstrates their commitment to positively impacting the cybersecurity community and the planet. By inspiring sustainable development, minimizing environmental impact, and designing socially responsible events, Black Hat is taking significant steps towards becoming a net zero carbon business by 2030. Through their initiatives and partnerships, they are setting an example for the cybersecurity industry and encouraging others to contribute to a more sustainable future.