Defense Videos

Black Hat Stories | David Oswald, Cyber Security Professor at Durham University

Professor David Oswald of Durham University explains why Black Hat is valuable for academia, highlighting its practical, hands‑on keynotes that differ from traditional scholarly conferences. He notes the event brings together a diverse crowd—academics, independent consultants, and security‑focused companies—creating a fertile ground for cross‑disciplinary exchange and exposure to emerging threats. Oswald’s research on confidential computing illustrates a key lesson: while the technology strengthens data protection, it cannot defend against an adversary with physical server access, a point he emphasizes in his talk. The message is clear: security scholars at any career stage should attend Black Hat to gain fresh perspectives, forge industry links, and align research with real‑world constraints, ultimately shaping more resilient cyber defenses.