Black Hat and DefCon
- Author
- S&P Global Market Intelligence
- Published
- Tue 19 Aug 2025
- Episode Link
- https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/podcasts/next-in-tech
The annual “security summer camp” that is made up of the Black Hat and DefCon conferences is just past and the security analyst team, Scott Crawford, Dan Kennedy, Justin Lam and Mark Ehr, join host Eric Hanselman to examine what they saw and discuss the implications. Despite the heat of a Las Vegas summer, it’s become bigger than the two main conferences, with a number of side events, like B-Sides, there’s a lot going on. AI conversations are evolving and maturing. We’ve mostly moved beyond blaming user foibles for breaches, but AI is expanding the attack surface with new and more complex tactics for user manipulation. AI is lowering the barriers for attackers. The days of script kiddies have morphed into Claude Code-fueled attack development.
The larger question is how security vendors are responding to AI risks. Claims that tier 1 security analysts should start looking for another job just seem irresponsible in the current environment. AI augmentation can reduce toil and digest the masses of events that security teams struggle to deal with today. At the same time, AI is scaling attack volumes. It’s the constant hegemony that’s always played out at the core of security.
More S&P Global Content:
- RSAC Conference 2025: Breaking records at the threshold of uncertainty
- AI for security: Agentic AI will be a focus for security operations in 2025
- Next in Tech | Ep. 215: RSA Conference Preview
- Deep Pocket Inspection: RSAC Innovation Sandbox Retrospective & Perspective
- Next in Tech | Ep. 227: Managed Security Services
- Next in Tech | Ep. 225: Security for MCP
For S&P Global Subscribers:
- Use of GenAI security solutions has spiked, continued uptake projected – Highlights from VotE: Information Security
- Infosec spending projected to rise 27% on average in 2025 – Highlights from VotE: Information Security
- CNAPP in focus after large infosec acquisition – Highlights from VotE: Information Security
- Data Insight: Data security market to top $26B in 2029
- Data Security Market Monitor & Forecast
- CNAPP matures into full-spectrum security solution
Credits:
- Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
- Guests: Scott Crawford, Dan Kennedy, Justin Lam, Mark Ehr
- Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
- Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith
