What Hacker Halted does

Hacker Halted is an annual cybersecurity conference operated by EC-Council, a private cybersecurity education and certification organization headquartered in the USA. Founded in 2016, the event is held each year in Atlanta, GA and consists of a 4-day pre-conference training program (October 4-7) followed by a 2-day main conference (October 8-9). The conference serves IT security professionals, CISOs, ethical hackers, and penetration testers, featuring over 20 presentations, panel discussions, hands-on Hacking Villages, and Capture the Flag competitions across four tracks (AI, Attack, Defense, New Tech).

The business operates as an event-driven GTM motion rather than a technology product business. Revenue is generated through three primary streams: (1) conference registration and pre-conference training fees paid by attendees; (2) tiered corporate sponsorship and exhibitor packages ranging from $500 basic branding to $50,000 premium booths with speaking opportunities; and (3) access to the companion Global CISO Forum, an invite-only closed-door executive event now in its fourteenth year. Sponsorship tiers include speaking opportunities ($5,000), track sponsorships ($3,000), CTF sponsorships ($10,000-$15,000), webinar packages ($4,999-$10,000), and event hospitality sponsorships such as Happy Hour ($25,000) and CISO Cocktail Reception ($20,000). Distribution leverages EC-Council's 500k+ member email database, 48,000+ BrightTALK subscribers, and association partnerships with ISSA, ISACA, Cyversity, and (ISC)2.

Hacker Halted has documented major enterprise sponsors including IBM, Google, The Home Depot, Trend Micro, Darktrace, Recorded Future, DEVO, Proofpoint, Elisity, and Blumira across its 2021 and 2024 editions. The 2026 edition is themed 'Cyber Carnival: Where Illusion Meets Intrusion.' No technology platform, API, SDK, or proprietary AI/ML capabilities are associated with the conference; the product surface is the event itself. Hacker Halted operates as a flagship annual asset within EC-Council's broader portfolio of cybersecurity training and certification programs, with full organizational ownership and no disclosed venture funding.

Name

Hacker Halted

Legal name

EC-Council

Website

https://hackerhalted.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hacker Halted is an annual cybersecurity conference and training event operated by EC-Council since 2016, held in Atlanta, GA. It serves IT security professionals, CISOs, and ethical hackers through a 6-day format combining advanced training, presentations, Hacking Villages, and the invite-only Global CISO Forum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Conferences & Training

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Computer Training (61142)

akta.pro primary industry

Cybersecurity Technical Skills (Security Engineering, SOC, Pen Testing) (EDABAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Penetration Testing, Red Team & Ethical Hacking (EDAOAIAH), Cybersecurity (EDAAAPAC), Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs (BPAEANAF)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity conferences
• Ethical hacking training
• Information security events
• Cybersecurity training programs
• CISO executive forums

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration Fees: Revenue from selling conference passes to attendees for the main 2-day cybersecurity conference in Atlanta, GA. Additional exhibition passes and add-on conference passes available at $49 each.
2. Pre-Conference Training Fees: Revenue from 4-day advanced ethical hacking and cybersecurity training programs held October 4-7, 2026, prior to the main conference.
3. Sponsorship and Exhibitor Packages: Tiered sponsorship opportunities ranging from basic branding ($500) to premium booths ($50,000), including speaking opportunities, CTF sponsorships, track sponsorships, and event hospitality packages like Happy Hour and CISO Cocktail Reception.
4. Global CISO Forum Access: Invite-only closed-door event for high-level executives, running alongside the main conference. Premium sponsorship spotlight opportunities available at $10,000 for speaking spots.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hacker Halted organizes an annual cybersecurity conference in Atlanta, GA that combines a 2-day main conference (panel discussions, breakout sessions, and over 20 speaker presentations) with a 4-day pre-conference advanced ethical hacking training program and hands-on Hacking Villages. The event is paired with the invite-only Global CISO Forum for senior security executives, and commercializes attendee and sponsor access through tiered conference passes, training fees, and a wide range of sponsorship/exhibitor packages.

Product overview

Hacker Halted is an annual cybersecurity conference organized by EC-Council, held in Atlanta, GA. The event features a core conference component with 2 days of programming (October 8-9), preceded by 4 days of pre-conference training (October 4-7). The product portfolio includes the main conference with panel discussions and breakout sessions, hands-on Hacking Villages, and the exclusive Global CISO Forum for senior executives. Sponsorship packages ranging from basic to premium booths, as well as speaking opportunities and CTF sponsorships, are offered as add-on commercial options for organizations seeking brand visibility at the event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hacker Halted: Annual cybersecurity conference featuring training, panel discussions, presentations, and Capture the Flag competitions. Theme for 2026: Cyber Carnival - Where Illusion Meets Intrusion
• Global CISO Forum

Products and services

• Hacker Halted Conference Annual cybersecurity conference held in Atlanta, GA featuring 2 days of networking, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and over 20 presentations from industry professionals. The 2026 edition runs October 8-9 and targets IT security leaders, practitioners, and executives worldwide.
• Advanced Ethical Hacking Training Pre-conference cybersecurity training program running October 4-7, providing hands-on ethical hacking education and certification preparation for working security professionals and penetration testers.
• Hacking Villages Interactive hands-on areas within the conference where attendees practice hacking techniques in controlled environments and participate in Capture the Flag competitions, sponsored by various cybersecurity organizations.
• Conference Sponsorship Packages Tiered corporate exhibitor and sponsor opportunities ranging from basic branding ($500) and Basic Booths ($3,999) to Deluxe Booths ($25,000) and Premium Booths ($50,000), including speaking opportunities, CTF sponsorships, track sponsorships, bag/lanyard/WiFi sponsorships, and webinar packages on the EC-Council BrightTALK channel.
• Global CISO Forum An invite-only, closed-door event gathering top-level executives from across industries and countries to discuss pressing issues in information security. Now in its fourteenth year, it operates as a companion event to the main Hacker Halted conference.

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to cybersecurity professionals and executives from around the world for sponsor brand exposure
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate, minor and major.

• EC-Council AcademiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024EC-Council Academia program partner promoting cybersecurity education at academic institutions. EC-Council influences education of over 60,000 students annually in North America through 3,000+ partner schools.
• ISSA (Information Systems Security Association)moderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Association sponsor promoting event to ISSA chapter members. ISSA Atlanta Chapter featured as association sponsor for 2024 conference.
• ISACAmoderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Association sponsor providing marketing support and promoting event to ISACA member base globally.
• CyversityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Diversity in cybersecurity association sponsor focused on underrepresented minorities in the field.
• (ISC)2 Atlanta ChapterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Local chapter of international cybersecurity certification body promoting event to certified professionals.
• Savvy Cyber KidsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Nonprofit association sponsor focused on cyber ethics education, founded by Ben Halpert.
• Latinas in Tech - Atlanta ChapterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Diversity-focused association sponsor promoting event to Latinas in technology careers.
• VCISO PodcastminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Media sponsor - cybersecurity podcast providing promotional support and audience reach.
• InfoSec ConferencesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Media sponsor - conference listing and promotion platform for cybersecurity events.
• BrightTALK / EC-Council Cybersecurity ChannelcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Webinar platform hosting EC-Council channel with 48,000+ subscribers, used for sponsor webinar distribution. EC-Council promotional emails reach 500k+ members.
• FutureCon EventsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Cybersecurity conference series partner and media sponsor.
• Stats on Stats PodcastminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Media sponsor - podcast covering cybersecurity topics.
• IBMmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Diamond sponsor for 2021 Hacker Halted conference. IBM branding and presence at the event as premiere sponsor level.
• The Home DepotmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Diamond sponsor for 2021 Hacker Halted conference. Major retail enterprise cybersecurity stakeholder.
• GooglemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Gold sponsor for 2021 Hacker Halted conference. Major technology platform company involvement.
• BlumiramoderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Diamond sponsor for 2021 conference. Cybersecurity detection and response platform.
• Phish FirewallmoderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Gold sponsor for 2021 conference. Phishing protection and security awareness platform.
• Nucleus SecurityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Bronze sponsor for 2021 conference. Vulnerability management platform.
• Cyber RangesmoderateTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Capture the Flag tournament sponsor for 2021, providing virtual cybersecurity training ranges.
• Secure Code WarriorminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Tournament sponsor for 2021 conference. Secure coding training platform.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RSA Conference: The largest annual cybersecurity conference, drawing tens of thousands of practitioners, CISOs, and vendors. Directly comparable as a general cybersecurity industry conference with sponsorship tiers and training components, though at materially larger scale.
• DEF CON: One of the world's largest hacker conferences, featuring Capture the Flag competitions, hands-on villages, and technical talks. Highly comparable to Hacker Halted's ethical hacking, CTF, and hacking village offerings.
• Black Hat (Informa): Premier information security event series offering technical trainings, briefings, and an expo floor. Directly comparable to Hacker Halted's combination of ethical hacking training, technical talks, and sponsor exhibition.
• SANS Institute (training events): World-leading cybersecurity training provider that runs both in-person training events and conferences. Comparable to Hacker Halted's pre-conference training-led model and certification-aligned curriculum.
• BSides: Community-driven cybersecurity events held in cities worldwide. Comparable as smaller, community-oriented security conferences with sponsorship structures and practitioner-focused content.
• FutureCon Events: Cybersecurity conference series that partners with Hacker Halted as a media sponsor. Directly comparable in scale and audience, targeting CISOs and security practitioners across multiple U.S. cities.

Broad incumbents

• (ISC)2 Security Congress: Annual congress from the (ISC)2 certification body, attracting certified security professionals. Comparable cybersecurity practitioner audience; (ISC)2 Atlanta Chapter is a Hacker Halted partner.
• Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit: Enterprise-focused security and risk conference run by Gartner. Comparable executive-level cybersecurity audience and sponsorship model, but oriented toward Gartner's broader research portfolio.
• ISACA Conferences: Global professional association for IT governance, risk, and cybersecurity that hosts conferences and training events. Comparable practitioner audience; ISACA is also a Hacker Halted association sponsor.

Regional players

• Infosecurity Magazine / Infosecurity Europe: Major European cybersecurity conference and media brand. Comparable practitioner and CISO audience, but operates primarily in Europe and would not compete directly in Atlanta.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hackerhalted
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hacker-halted-usa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hacker Halted