In the first week of August, the sprawling halls of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas were once again transformed into a cybersecurity celebration as Black Hat USA 2024 took center stage. Amidst the sea of attendees, the OpenVPN team had a booth ready to meet new and experienced users alike. 

“Black Hat is like a music festival for cybersecurity experts,” says attendee Martin Zapata, OpenVPN’s Director of Customer Success. “It’s one of the largest and most prestigious cybersecurity conferences globally, it brings together leading companies, innovative startups, and top experts in the field. Attendees gather to explore cutting-edge technologies, share groundbreaking research, and immerse themselves in the latest developments in cybersecurity. Whether you're there to learn from the best or to showcase new ideas, Black Hat offers a dynamic and inspiring environment where the future of digital security takes center stage.”

Black Hat, renowned as one of the world's leading information security events, served as the perfect backdrop for the OpenVPN team to connect with industry leaders, security researchers, and technology enthusiasts alike. It was an opportunity to showcase our latest advancements, engage in stimulating conversations, and reaffirm our commitment to a more secure digital world.

What makes Black Hat special?

Black Hat isn't your average conference. It's a vibrant ecosystem where the brightest minds in cybersecurity converge to exchange ideas, unveil groundbreaking research, and explore the ever-evolving landscape of digital threats. The conference strikes a unique balance between technical depth and accessibility, catering to both seasoned professionals and those new to the field. From thought-provoking talks and hands-on training sessions to the bustling Business Hall teeming with cutting-edge solutions, Black Hat offers something for everyone passionate about cybersecurity.

“The vibe at Black Hat is electric and intense,” says Sean Golriz, OpenVPN’s Technical Sales Engineer. “It’s a gathering place for the world’s top cybersecurity minds, creating a palpable sense of urgency and excitement. You’re surrounded by cutting-edge technology, passionate discussions, and a shared mission to tackle some of the most pressing security challenges. It’s also an excellent event to learn about new and emerging technologies.”

Black Hat is “High energy, inspiring, motivational, provocative,” says Matt Mehus, VP of Growth Strategy at OpenVPN. “If it's your first time attending it's like drinking from a fire hose. You can't try to absorb too much because you won't absorb anything. Go in with a set of problems you're trying to solve and you can navigate the show much easier.”

The Black Hat community

Black Hat isn't just about the technology; it's about the people. The conference attracts a diverse and passionate community of cybersecurity professionals, researchers, hackers, and enthusiasts. From seasoned veterans sharing their hard-won wisdom to eager newcomers soaking up knowledge, the atmosphere is one of collaboration and shared purpose. Walking through the halls, you'll encounter lively debates, impromptu brainstorming sessions, and a genuine sense of camaraderie. Black Hat fosters a unique environment where individuals from all corners of the cybersecurity world come together to learn, grow, and forge lasting connections.

“We saw a diverse group of visitors,” says Golriz, “ranging from seasoned security experts looking for advanced solutions to IT managers seeking reliable VPN services for their organizations. We also spoke with CEOs and founders interested in learning about our products and how they could be integrated into their own offerings. Many people were also surprised to see us at the event and were unaware of our commercial products.”

“It's why we love being at Black Hat,” says Mehus. “There’s a wildly diverse set of perspectives and ideas.”

OpenVPN's presence at Black Hat

Our team was there to demonstrate CloudConnexa, our cloud-based VPN solution designed to simplify secure network access for organizations of all sizes, and OpenVPN Access Server, our self-hosted VPN solution renowned for its robust security and granular access control. Moreover, we reaffirmed our unwavering dedication to open-source technology and the power of community collaboration.

“OpenVPN is well known around the world for the Open-Source project,” Zapata continues. “Our team attended Black Hat to create awareness around our enterprise solutions that serve over 20,000 Businesses including 56 Fortune 500 companies.”

Golriz agrees that OpenVPN’s attendance helps to connect and communicate with new and existing users about solutions we offer, but there’s more to it than that. Black Hat is a cultural moment, essential for anyone in the cybersecurity space. “OpenVPN attends Black Hat to stay at the forefront of cybersecurity trends and connect with professionals who share our passion for security. It's also an opportunity for brand recognition, as many of our users are familiar only with our open-source offerings and may not be aware of our commercial products. Black Hat provides us with the platform to showcase our commercial products, exchange ideas, and deepen our understanding of the evolving threat landscape.”

Black Hat served as a multifaceted platform for OpenVPN. It allowed us to stay ahead of the curve by immersing ourselves in the latest cybersecurity trends and insights, ensuring that our solutions remain at the forefront of innovation. We seized the opportunity to empower our users by sharing knowledge and best practices, equipping them to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape with confidence. And perhaps most importantly, Black Hat fostered invaluable connections, allowing us to strengthen relationships with partners, customers, and potential users in a dynamic and engaging environment.

“Black Hat is one of the most prominent cybersecurity conferences in the world,” adds Mehus. “We attend because it's a fantastic place to get feedback from our customers, network with other security professionals, learn about new trends, and showcase new developments at OpenVPN.”

 If you visited OpenVPN at the booth and want to keep the discussion going — please reach out to our team!

A successful convention

The OpenVPN team left Las Vegas feeling invigorated by the engagement of the cybersecurity community. The experience reaffirmed our commitment to providing secure and reliable remote access solutions for businesses worldwide. 

“I loved meeting our customers in person and talking about all the cool ways they’re using our technology to secure and make their network more efficient,” says Zapata about the experience.

“It's a lot of fun meeting customers at the booth, but it's great to get a change of scenery and walk the conference as well,” add Mehus. “Networking with other attendees and exhibitors gives you a great opportunity to better understand the needs of the market and see how others are solving the problems our customers face.”

“The most fun part for me was engaging with different people,” agrees Golriz. “We could exchange ideas and discuss upcoming technologies and their impact on the cybersecurity landscape. It was also enjoyable to see the surprise on people's faces when I explained that our products go beyond just VPNs and offer so much more.”

We’re already looking forward to Black Hat 2025. Will you be there? 

Didn't get a chance to chat with us at Black Hat? It's not too late to talk to our team! Join our weekly group demos by signing up here.