The cutting edge of network security gets a new corporate sheen as CMP Media acquires Black Hat, and bolsters its security portfolio in doing so.
Jeff Moss, Black Hat’s founder, has come in from the cold. His Black Hat firm, which puts on security conferences and conducts training, was purchased by CMP Media. Moss will remain on as Black Hat’s director.
The Jordan, Edmiston Group represented Black Hat in the transaction for the privately-held firm. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Black Hat will produce its usual slate of conferences, including Black Hat USA in Las Vegas in July 2006. The 2005 conference made national headlines after Cisco attempted to thwart a presentation by security researcher Michael Lynn about vulnerabilities in Cisco’s IOS. Lynn now works for Cisco rival Juniper Networks.
Black Hat launched in 1997. JEGI sent along a little background on Black Hat with its statement on the transaction:
Moss’s mission was to mix the best minds of the computer underground with the leading security professionals. The result was a unique conference known for providing new and exclusive research from the top technologists in the world.
Black Hat continued to grow and now offers briefings as well as customized training and consulting services to provide unmatched knowledge about upcoming security trends to three continents. “This move will enable Black Hat to take advantage of growth opportunities we couldn’t pursue as a small company, such as international expansion, while enabling me to keep doing what I love the most – working with speakers and building the conference programs,” Jeff Moss added.
David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
