Ballistic Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in cybersecurity, announced on August 1, 2025, that Venture Partner Nicole Perlroth will deliver a keynote at Black Hat USA 2025, a premier cybersecurity conference. The address, set for August 7 in Las Vegas, will tackle the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats and the urgent need for strategic action. Strategic Advisor Chris Inglis will also present, reinforcing Ballistic’s influence in shaping cybersecurity’s future.
Nicole Perlroth, a former New York Times cybersecurity journalist and author of This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends, will deliver her keynote, “The New Frontline: Cyber on the Precipice,” on August 7, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay. Drawing on her 13-year investigative career and advisory roles with CISA and cybersecurity startups, Perlroth will highlight how threats like Stuxnet, SolarWinds, Shamoon, and Volt Typhoon signal a shift to modular, AI-driven attacks. “The New Frontline: Cyber on the Precipice” is Perlroth’s keynote, which will explore how modern threats have evolved beyond recognition. She will argue that “today’s advanced persistent threats (APTs) may pale in comparison to what’s coming” and emphasize that “courage – not code – will decide our future,” calling for defined red lines and prioritized defenses to counter escalating risks.
Ballistic Ventures, with a portfolio of over 20 cybersecurity startups like Aembit and SpecterOps, will have a significant presence at Black Hat USA 2025. Strategic Advisor Chris Inglis, former U.S. National Cyber Director, will present a keynote, “From Slide Rules to GenAI, Musings of a Graybeard Public Servant on What’s Changing, What’s Not, and What Should,” on August 7 at 1:30 PM, focusing on systemic resilience in the face of AI-driven threats. Portfolio companies, including Noma and Oligo, will showcase innovations in AI security, AirPlay vulnerabilities, and Windows Server attack vectors. Ballistic’s partners, founders of Mandiant and AlienVault, will host multiple events, reinforcing their role in advancing cybersecurity solutions.
The keynotes align with critical cybersecurity trends, such as the 50% spike in shadow AI usage reported by Netskope in 2025, which increases data leakage risks, and Comp AI’s $2.6M raise for automated SOC 2 compliance, addressing governance needs. Perlroth’s focus on AI-driven threats complements initiatives like Zettabyte’s AI infrastructure investments, highlighting the intersection of cybersecurity and AI innovation. The conference, expecting 20,000+ attendees, will serve as a platform to address these challenges, emphasizing proactive strategies to secure enterprise IT systems.
Ballistic Ventures’ participation underscores its commitment to fostering cybersecurity innovation. Perlroth and Inglis’ keynotes will drive critical discussions on protecting organizations from next-generation threats, positioning Black Hat USA 2025 as a pivotal event for IT and SaaS security advancements.
Ballistic Ventures is a venture capital firm solely dedicated to early-stage cybersecurity and cyber-related companies. The partners have spent their entire careers defending against every cyber threat conceivable. Members of the firm have founded, operated, and funded over 100 successful cybersecurity firms – including Abnormal Security, AlienVault, ArcSight, Fortify, Mandiant, and Shape Security – led over 10,000 security professionals globally, and have 40+ years of experience in venture capital. The Ballistic portfolio includes Aembit, Alethea, ArmorCode, AuthMind, BreachRx, Codezero, Concentric AI, GetReal, Gomboc AI, Hypernative, Mimic, Noma, Nudge Security, Oligo, Pangea, Perygee, Reach, Reveal Technology, Root Evidence, SpecterOps, Talon (PANW), Veza, WitnessAI, and Zip Security. Our experience provides entrepreneurs impactful support from people focused on the same mission. Our networks and relationships open doors for our founders.
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