CMP Media Acquires Black Hat

Leading Security Conference Strengthens CMP's Security Portfolio

PRNewswire
MANHASSET, N.Y.
Nov 15, 2005

CMP Media, a marketing solutions company serving the technology, healthcare and entertainment markets, announced today that it has acquired Black Hat Inc., a producer of information security conferences and training that includes Black Hat Briefings and Conferences.

Jeff Moss, founder and owner, will continue to run Black Hat and will join CMP Media as Director of Black Hat. Combining CMP's current portfolio of Computer Security Institute (CSI), Secure Enterprise magazine and the Security Pipeline website with Black Hat, will position CMP Media as the strongest platform in the computer security media market.

"Black Hat has been one of the most successful conferences in computer security, with incredible growth over the past five years," said Chris Keating, vice president of CMP's security media group. "Its approach to security, focusing on attacks and countermeasures, complements CSI's methodology of a broader approach to computer security."

Black Hat was launched in 1997 by Jeff Moss to provide advanced education to security professionals within global corporations and federal agencies. Moss' 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.

Black Hat and CSI will remain separate entities within CMP; both will report to Chris Keating. Black Hat's flagship conference, Black Hat USA, will take place in Las Vegas July 2006. Black Hat also produces Black Hat Europe and Black Hat Asia. CMP's flagship event -- CSI's 32nd Annual Conference is currently taking place November 14-16 in Washington, D.C. and its CSI NetSec '06 will be held June 12-14, 2006 in Scottsdale, AZ.

"Security, vulnerabilities and disasters are a daily concern for IT professionals at organizations around the globe. The security industry accounts for $46 billion in 2005 according to Forrester," noted CMP Media president and CEO, Steve Weitzner. "CMP's goal is to meet the needs of our customers and audiences. Black Hat deepens our security audience reach and reinforces our commitment to offering the strongest platform in the computer security media market."

About CMP Media (http://www.cmp.com/)

Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands in the technology, healthcare and entertainment industries, CMP Media has earned the confidence of more professionals and enthusiasts in these fields than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in each of these industries in ways that yield superior return on investment.

About Black Hat (http://www.blackhat.com/)

Black Hat provides security consulting, training, and briefings to corporations and government agencies around the world. The Black Hat team has experience working with organizations such as Amazon, DARPA, Microsoft and the NSA.

  Contacts:
  Alix Raine
  SVP Communications
  CMP Media
  516.562.7827
  araine@cmp.com

SOURCE: CMP Media LLC

CONTACT: Alix Raine, SVP Communications of CMP Media, +1-516-562-7827,
araine@cmp.com

Web site: http://www.cmp.com/
http://www.blackhat.com/

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