Black Hat is always a pulse check on the cybersecurity industry, and our time in Las Vegas was packed with insights, partner connections, and a front-row seat to the conversations shaping the future of cybersecurity and compliance. Here are seven things that stood out to us.

 1: AI Dominated Every Conversation

Between coffee and cocktails, from show floor to conference sessions, artificial intelligence was the headline act. The conversations ranged from talent recruitment with AI-driven candidate filtering (Looking at you, Workday!) or critical infrastructure risks, or even AI being used to pressure executives into accelerating adoption.

2: Big Launches From Big Names

Several companies rolled out major product announcements that pricked up our ears:

• AirMDR launched an AI SOC platform with automated triage and a free tier.
• Apiiro introduced an AutoFix AI Agent for automatic code risk remediation.
• AppOmni, BeyondTrust, Cyera, Cribl and others unveiled AI-driven advances in secrets management, data protection, and threat intelligence.

3: A Reality Check on AI Threats

Intriguing doesn’t really begin to cover one of the coolest sessions , “Lessons from the Underground: How Threat Actors Are Actually Using AI.” The engagement featured a candid panel talking about the realities of becoming — or not becoming — a CISO, and really brought home the growing personal and legal risks executives face. Criminal liability for breaches was a recurring concern – something that resonates with our clients who leverage compliance to avoid mishaps and sidestep fines or penalties stemming from non-compliance.

4: AI’s Economic Ripple Effect

Many we spoke with believe AI could reduce workforces by up to 30% as it matures, and force significant changes to most roles within five years. This potential for large-scale workforce shifts had people talking about both opportunity and economic upheaval.

5: The Push For AI Regulation

Attendees voiced strong support for codifying AI laws to prevent abuse. The consensus was that, without guardrails, AI’s risks would outweigh any rewards, and that there was particular risk when that technology is used by bad actors.

6: Partner-First Networking

For 360 Advanced, Black Hat was all about connections . These meetings are the crux of why we fly to Vegas every year. Working closely to align on strategies, compare notes, uncover opportunities, and make plans for the coming year – we are thrilled that our alliance ecosystem is thriving.

7: Mixing Hustle And Fun

From major after-hours gatherings to chance encounters, the social scene didn’t disappoint. We sponsored a great recess at Swingers Crazy Golf, as well as Hacker Summer Camp at the Leatherneck Club — but we also spoke with many attendees who self-funded their way to the conference for networking or job hunting, which underscored the community’s drive and passion but highlighted travel budget cuts across many companies.

All in all, Black Hat 2025 reinforced that AI is reshaping not only cybersecurity technology but the very structure of the workforce and the partner landscape. For 360 Advanced, these insights fuel how we support clients in navigating emerging risks, staying compliant, and seizing opportunities to use compliance as a revenue enabler.