In 2024, the global cybersecurity landscape has become more volatile than ever.
With cyberattacks surging by 30% year-over-year, organizations now face an average of 1,636 attacks per week. The financial stakes are equally alarming, with the average cost of data breach climbing to $4.88 million, a 10% increase from last year.
Despite these numbers, hope is not lost – companies that implement AI and automation for cybersecurity are seeing significant savings, reducing costs by an average of $2.22 million annually compared to those that do not use such technologies.
DefCamp 2024: Committed to Building a More Secure Cyber Future
As cyber threats continue to escalate, DefCamp 2024 steps up as a critical gathering for those at the forefront of cybersecurity. Bringing together over 2,000 experts, ethical hackers, and business leaders, the 14th edition promises to be a key forum for tackling the evolving challenges posed by quantum computing, cyberwarfare, and AI-driven attacks.
DefCamp, the largest cybersecurity conference in Central and Eastern Europe, is set to return for its 14th edition between 28-29 November in Bucharest, Romania. The event will take place at the iconic Palace of Parliament.
Renowned Experts and Cybersecurity Insights
Chris Kubecka, a leader in cyber defence, will present “The Matrix Reloaded: Quantum Computing and the Redefinition of Cyberwarfare.” She will explore how quantum computing is reshaping the cyber battlefield, using real-world cases from conflicts in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine. Kubecka will break down post-quantum threats and strategies for building cyber resilience, offering crucial insights for navigating the future of cyberwarfare.
Ethical boundaries will be put to the test in the talk by Marek Zmyslowski and Konrad Jędrzejczyk, titled “AI Gone Rogue: Being the Bad Guy with AI-Powered Maneuvers.” This session will expose how AI, when weaponized, can enhance cyber offence, creating new layers of complexity in cyber-attacks. With in-depth demonstrations, the speakers will examine how AI is being used for aggressive, deceptive strategies in real-world scenarios, offering an interesting analysis on where the ethical lines are drawn in cybersecurity.
Workshops, Competitions, and Global Opportunities
As having a secure future depends on nurturing the talent of the next generation, DefCamp 2024 will also feature an array of workshops aimed at professionals and students alike.
One of the major highlights is the DefCamp Capture the Flag (D-CTF) competition, with nearly 800 teams from 92 countries having participated in the qualifying rounds. The final will feature a mix of Jeopardy-style challenges and attack-defense scenarios, pushing participants to experience both offensive and defensive cybersecurity roles.
Pre-conference workshops, held from 25-27 November, will give participants the chance to specialize in key areas such as secure coding, OSINT, and threat intelligence, catering to both beginners and experienced professionals.
“Complementing its commitment to education, DefCamp has been selected this year as the first European member of the international Global Cybersecurity Camp (GCC) program, a project dedicated to training the world’s most talented cybersecurity professionals.We plan to support up to three Romanian students in joining this project in Taiwan, from February 10 to 14, 2025, so they can enjoy a unique opportunity to learn from top experts and become part of an international network of future cybersecurity leaders”, says Andrei Avădănei, founder of DefCamp.
A global epicenter for cybersecurity leadership
Since its launch in 2011, DefCamp has established itself as a leading forum for cybersecurity innovation, hosting over 400 speakers and bringing together annually thousands of the brightest minds in cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and business leadership from across the globe.
DefCamp 2024 is a must-attend event for cybersecurity professionals, C-level executives, and ethical hackers looking to stay ahead of next-gen threats such as quantum computing, AI-fueled cyber offenses, and evolving malware tactics. The conference offers access to workshops, talks, and competitions that focus on real-world problems and solutions.
Registration is now open on DefCamp’s official website, where attendees can also find information about speakers, schedules, and ticket options.
