Black Hat USA 2026 runs August 1 to 6 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. It marks the event’s 29th anniversary.
It is one of the world’s most established information security events. The week spans expert Trainings, Summits, peer-reviewed Briefings, Arsenal tool demos, and a Business Hall.
Cybersecurity / Information Security / Research / AI Security | Sat, Aug 1 – Thu, Aug 6, 2026 | In-person, Las Vegas, USA | Upcoming event | Hosted by Black Hat
About The Event
Black Hat USA is the cybersecurity industry’s most established and in-depth security event series. It was founded in 1997 by Jeff Moss and is organized by Informa Tech.
The conference is widely regarded as the world’s most technically rigorous security event. It draws 15,000 to 20,000 security professionals from over 100 countries.
Black Hat showcases content directly from the security community. It presents work through peer-reviewed Briefings, hands-on Trainings, Summits, and more.
The 2026 edition returns to Mandalay Bay for its 29th anniversary. It sets the tone for offensive and defensive security research each year.
What Usually Happens At Black Hat USA?
Black Hat runs in two main formats. Trainings are multi-day hands-on courses taught by practitioners, covering topics from exploit development to red team operations. Briefings are 50-minute research presentations across parallel tracks.
The Briefings cover new vulnerability disclosures, threat actor techniques, and offensive tooling. Supporting programs include Arsenal, the open-source tool demonstrations, and the Business Hall vendor expo. A full day of Summits precedes the main conference.
When Is Black Hat USA 2026 Taking Place?
Black Hat USA 2026 runs August 1 to 6, 2026. Trainings run August 1 to 4, Summits are August 4, and Briefings are August 5 to 6. The venue is the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Black Hat USA 2026 Latest Updates
The content lineup, Summits, and new forums are confirmed. Details below come from Black Hat’s official announcement and verified coverage.
Over 100 Briefings Announced
Black Hat announced over 100 peer-reviewed Briefings for 2026. The lineup also includes over 100 Trainings and more than 80 Arsenal tool demos. Research addresses emerging security challenges as technology evolves.
Six Summits On August 4
The 2026 Summits take place on August 4. They include the Healthcare Summit, CISO Summit, and The AI Summit. The Financial Threat Summit, Innovators and Investors Summit, and Omdia Analyst Summit complete the day.
New Forums Including Cyber War Forum
The 2026 program adds new specialized forums and events. These include the Cyber War Forum and Black Hat(HER). The additions broaden the event’s scope beyond core Briefings.
Hottest Topics Center On AI
The most-discussed 2026 Briefings topics center on AI. They cover AI offense and defense and AI-driven exploitation of hardware vulnerabilities. Supply chain security is also a major theme.
Main Topics At Black Hat USA 2026
Black Hat USA 2026 spans offensive and defensive security research. AI security is a defining theme across the program.
AI Offense And Defense
AI security is the headline topic for 2026. Sessions cover both AI-powered attacks and AI-driven defense. The AI Summit adds a dedicated day of programming.
Vulnerability Research And Exploitation
Vulnerability research is core to Black Hat. Briefings disclose new vulnerabilities and exploitation techniques. This includes AI-driven exploitation of hardware and embedded systems.
Supply Chain Security
Supply chain security is a major 2026 focus. Sessions address risks across software and hardware supply chains. It reflects a growing enterprise concern.
Cloud And Enterprise Security
The program covers cloud exploitation and enterprise defense. Sessions address detection engineering and incident response. This serves defenders protecting large organizations.
CISO And Policy Discussions
Black Hat includes executive-level programming. The CISO Summit and forums cover strategy and policy. This connects technical research to organizational decisions.
Event Experiences
Black Hat USA 2026 delivers six days of training, research, and networking. The program balances deep technical content with executive discussion.
Trainings
Trainings run August 1 to 4 as multi-day hands-on courses. They cover exploit development, cloud security, malware analysis, and red teaming. A separate Training pass or bundle is required.
Briefings
The Briefings on August 5 and 6 are the main conference. They deliver peer-reviewed research across parallel tracks. This is where new vulnerability research is first disclosed.
Arsenal Tool Demos
Arsenal features over 80 open-source tool demonstrations. Researchers debut and showcase their tools live. It is a hands-on complement to the Briefings.
Business Hall And Summits
The Business Hall hosts the vendor expo across the main days. The Summits on August 4 cover healthcare, finance, and AI. Together they broaden the event beyond core research.
Why Black Hat USA 2026 Matters
Black Hat is where new vulnerability research is first disclosed. It is where offensive tooling gets its public debut. The techniques shown here often define the threat landscape for the year ahead.
For practitioners, following Black Hat closely is a calibration exercise. The research presented in August shapes defensive priorities for months after.
For Security Researchers
Black Hat is the premier stage for security research. Researchers present peer-reviewed work to a global audience. It sets the agenda for offensive and defensive security.
For Defenders And Blue Teams
Briefings reveal the techniques defenders must counter. Sessions cover detection engineering and incident response. Defenders leave with a clearer view of emerging threats.
For Security Leaders And CISOs
The Summits and forums serve security executives. Sessions cover strategy, policy, and risk at the organizational level. It connects technical research to business decisions.
For Vendors And Investors
The Business Hall and Innovators and Investors Summit serve the industry. Vendors reach a concentrated audience of security buyers. Investors track emerging security startups.
Venue
Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
The Mandalay Bay Convention Center is a large event venue on the Las Vegas Strip. It has been Black Hat USA’s home for years.
The venue hosts Trainings, Briefings, Arsenal, and the Business Hall. Its scale supports the event’s 15,000-plus attendees.
Registration And Access
Black Hat offers separate Training and Briefings passes, which require separate registration. The Briefings pass starts at $2,495 and covers August 5 to 6, plus Arsenal and the Business Hall. Register on the official Black Hat website.
| Pass Type | Covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Briefings | August 5 to 6, Arsenal, Business Hall | From $2,495 |
| Training Course | Individual multi-day course, August 1 to 4 | $3,000 to $5,000+ each |
| Summits | August 4 ticketed summits | Varies |
| On-Demand | Recordings, August 14 to September 14 | Varies |
Walk-up registration is typically higher than pre-registered rates. Confirm current pricing on the official site.
FAQs About Black Hat USA 2026
The answers below come from Black Hat’s official announcement and verified coverage.
What Is Black Hat USA And Who Is It For?
Black Hat USA is one of the world’s most respected information security conferences. It is for security researchers, practitioners, executives, and vendors. It draws 15,000 to 20,000 professionals from over 100 countries.
When And Where Does Black Hat USA 2026 Take Place?
It runs August 1 to 6, 2026, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Trainings run August 1 to 4 and Briefings run August 5 to 6.
What Is The Difference Between Trainings And Briefings?
Trainings are multi-day hands-on courses running August 1 to 4. Briefings are 50-minute research talks on August 5 and 6. Each requires separate registration.
How Much Does A Pass Cost?
The Briefings pass starts at $2,495 and covers both main days plus Arsenal. Individual Training courses cost $3,000 to $5,000 or more each. Walk-up rates are typically higher.
What Are The 2026 Summits?
The August 4 Summits include Healthcare, CISO, and AI Summits. The Financial Threat, Innovators and Investors, and Omdia Analyst Summits also run. They add focused programming before the main conference.
How Does Black Hat Relate To DEF CON?
Black Hat USA runs earlier in the same week as DEF CON 34. Together they form what the community calls Hacker Summer Camp. DEF CON 34 starts August 6 in Las Vegas.
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