Standing Up a Defense Network for Black Hat: A Herculean Feat

The annual Black Hat conference, happening this week in Las Vegas, is renowned not only for its cutting-edge presentations and workshops but also for its robust cybersecurity measures that protect the large event from malicious threat actors.

Assembling a defense network for such a high-profile event is a monumental task, accomplished in just a few days by Black Hat's Network Operations Center (NOC) team and its partners. Last year, the NOC detected nearly a billion separate threat events, underscoring the scale of the challenge and the sophistication of the attackers it attracts.

Black Hat is a prime target for cybercriminals due to its status as a premier cybersecurity event. Attendees range from industry experts to hackers, making it a unique convergence of knowledge and potential threats. The NOC's mission is to ensure that the conference runs smoothly without interruptions from cyberattacks.

So, what does it take to set up a cybersecurity perimeter for a conference that is all about keeping people safe? First, one has to assemble a team. The NOC team is composed of top cybersecurity professionals from various organizations, including vendors and volunteers. This team collaborates closely to establish a comprehensive defense network capable of withstanding diverse cyber threats.

Experts from companies such as Palo Alto Networks, RSA, and others bring their specialized skills and tools to the table, forming a coalition dedicated to safeguarding the event.

Second, it's all about infrastructure deployment. The setup begins with deploying the necessary hardware and software. This includes firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and monitoring tools. The infrastructure is designed to handle the vast amount of network traffic generated during the conference.

Third is integration and testing. One of the most critical phases is integrating and testing the various tools and systems. The NOC team performs extensive testing to ensure that all components work seamlessly together. Stress tests are conducted to simulate potential attack scenarios and validate the system's resilience.

Last but not least, it takes real-time monitoring and response. During the event, the NOC operates around the clock, monitoring network traffic for any signs of malicious activity. Advanced analytics and machine learning tools help identify anomalies that could indicate an attack.

The team is prepared to respond swiftly to any threats, using predefined incident response protocols to mitigate potential damage.

"The speed of our operations is of the essence because of the volume of suspicious traffic that traverses the conference network," James Holland, Senior Solutions Architect at Palo Alto Networks, wrote in a sponsored piece in Cybersecurity Dive. "Uptime and resiliency of the event's infrastructure is our top priority. Much of the event's content leverages online resources, so Internet connectivity and other online services must always be up and running."

The scale of the cybersecurity effort at Black Hat is illustrated by last year's data. The NOC detected close to a billion threat events, ranging from simple scans to complex, targeted attacks. This data highlights the importance of the NOC's work and the sophistication of the defense strategies employed.

"This year's NOC, fortified by cutting-edge AI and real-time analytics, stands as an example of resilience to threats, transforming the conference into a proving ground for the future of cyber defense," said Jason Soroko, Senior Vice President of Product at Sectigo. "It's a masterclass in coordination and innovation, where every detected threat is a testament to the tireless vigilance of the cybersecurity community.  It's not just about innovation, but also relearning old lessons from threats of the past that reappear."

Some key tools and techniques being deployed include:

Firewalls and intrusion detection systems

• Firewalls and IDS are the first lines of defense, filtering incoming and outgoing traffic and alerting the NOC to potential threats.
• These systems are configured to block known malicious IP addresses and patterns indicative of attack vectors.

Advanced threat detection

• Machine learning and AI-powered tools are used to detect advanced persistent threats (APTs) and other sophisticated attacks that may bypass traditional defenses.
• These tools analyze behavior patterns to identify and flag suspicious activities.

Collaboration and information sharing

• Information sharing between different teams and partners is crucial. The NOC collaborates with external cybersecurity firms and agencies to stay updated on the latest threats and vulnerabilities.
• This collaborative approach ensures that the NOC can adapt to emerging threats in real-time.

"The monumental task of securing the Black Hat conference underscores the critical importance of robust and proactive cybersecurity measures at high-profile events," said Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-Founder at Keeper Security." By deploying high-capacity servers, cutting-edge firewalls, and AI-powered intrusion detection systems, the NOC team ensures the resilience needed to handle the vast amounts of network traffic and heightened threats associated with gathering thousands of attendees in a central location."

"With nearly one billion distinct threat events recorded last year alone, the sheer volume and complexity of attacks underscore the formidable nature of safeguarding such an event," Guccione added. "While advanced technology plays a crucial role, ultimate success depends on maintaining a vigilant approach. Attendees should also follow key best practices, which include avoiding public Wi-Fi, using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), and being extra cautious with links and attachments."