SANS: Cyber Threat 2024 – Immersive Summit Experience
Project Overview:
Client:
SANS
Project Lead:
LUX Technical
Date:
December 2024
Location:
Novotel London, London
Project Overview
Each year, SANS hosts a flagship cybersecurity summit unlike any other — blending technical expertise with high-impact production. For the 2024 edition, the brief was to evolve the event into a truly immersive experience: one that reflected the fast-paced, high-stakes world of cyber defence while captivating a global audience both in the room and online.
Working closely with the client, we were tasked with designing and delivering a vibrant, tech-forward event that felt more like a live show than a conference — with integrated AV triggers, theatrical lighting, and interactive hacking simulations.
Objectives:
To elevate a leading cybersecurity summit into a high-impact, tech-forward experience that breaks from the mould of traditional corporate events. The aim was to engage a global audience — in person and online — through immersive content, production, and immersive technology. The environment needed to reflect the energy and complexity of the cyber landscape while remaining professional, seamless, and technically robust.
Brief:
Create a dynamic plenary and event environment that blends live keynote content with theatrical production, immersive AV, and real-time interactivity. The format needed to integrate hackathon-style challenges where delegates attempt to “capture the flag” in staged cybersecurity tests — each action triggering AV cues, soundscapes, and lighting effects. The brief also required a flexible design to suit different venues and evolving content, along with full production delivery and technical support.
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Project Fulfilment
Conceptual Design:
Working from the client’s vision, we developed a layout that placed hackathon pods to either side of the auditorium, allowing players to engage in live challenges while remaining immersed in the main event space. The plenary sessions were designed with theatre-style momentum — high-energy walk-ons, dynamic visuals, and a pace that matched the urgency of the subject matter.
Technical Design:
Using the venue’s available rigging points, we created detailed Vectorworks plans tailored to the space. These were shared with the hotel in advance to ensure alignment. We invited each speaker to select a custom walk-on track — which we used to program timecoded lighting and video sequences, creating a bespoke show moment for every individual.
Project Management:
Operating within a busy, live hotel environment required close attention to logistics, safety, and professionalism. We managed all RAMS, PLI compliance, and contractor communications. Branded safety signage was installed on site, and all crew and guests were briefed to maintain high standards of PPE and movement through active public areas.
Installation & Build:
Completed over two days, the build was tightly scheduled to meet client timelines while maintaining production quality. Crews worked in shifts, with key LX and video show control teams brought in overnight to deliver programming without disrupting daytime operations.
Event Delivery:
Our team provided full show direction and show calling — coordinating speakers, technicians, and live stream teams to deliver a seamless experience from both the stage and behind the scenes.
Technical Heading
We deployed columns of ROE CB5 LED panels to create immersive totems flanking the stage — some flown on EXE motors to mask the front of the hackathon pods, others ground-supported and rear-braced. The pods themselves, positioned at the extreme sides of the venue, were enclosed in custom set-wrapped structures to create private, focused environments for CTF players while keeping them visually integrated with the main auditorium.
We deployed columns of ROE CB5 LED panels to create immersive totems flanking the stage — some flown on EXE motors to mask the front of the hackathon pods, others ground-supported and rear-braced. The pods themselves, positioned at the extreme sides of the venue, were enclosed in custom set-wrapped structures to create private, focused environments for CTF players while keeping them visually integrated with the main auditorium.
The stage backdrop was framed by a 50m-wide soft image graphic, delivering a cohesive branded canvas. Projection was achieved via two Panasonic 20K-lumen laser projectors housed in the AV gallery, casting both PowerPoint and VT playback onto embedded projection surfaces within the set.
Overhead, three flown H30V trusses were suspended from EXE 500kg motors — designed, plotted, and installed by Lux — including a central truss positioned above the stage to house show lighting and deliver impactful “eye candy” effects.
Lighting was controlled via an Avolites Arena console, which allowed for advanced cue stacking and integration with timecoded sequences. Fixtures included a selection of Robe and Ayrton intelligent units for broad colour washes, beam work, and movement — supported by Titan Tubes placed around the pods, programmed to react in real time to in-game hack triggers.
The video system was run through an Analog Way show graphics control, allowing seamless switching and layered playback across LED totems, projection surfaces, and comfort monitors. Multiview outputs were fed to the production desk and live streaming team for real-time oversight and clean switching.
Audio was delivered through a D&B V-Series and Y-Series PA system, tuned for clarity and punch across both plenary and ambient hackathon content. Shure ULXD digital wireless systems ensured clean, stable mic operation throughout — with a dedicated mic technician on hand to assist speakers and delegates with mic-up and changeovers.
Supporting infrastructure included:
- Stage timers and presenter clickers
- Show comms with wireless packs for all crew leads
- Dual comfort monitors for speaker support
- PTZ cameras for IMAG, streaming, and archival content
- Live video and audio routing through centralised show control
The result was a fully integrated environment with tightly synchronised audio, video, and lighting — able to shift effortlessly between high-energy plenary sessions, reactive hackathon gameplay, and smooth transitions for streamed global audiences.
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Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
- Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig pastrami ground round.
- Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola.
- Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Add Your Heading Text Here
Pork belly hamburger buffalo, kielbasa jowl chislic spare ribs drumstick turkey beef ribs brisket swine sausage jerky.
- Boudin kevin frankfurter capicola, picanha doner swine short loin ball tip ham chicken strip steak pig pastrami ground round.
- Shankle pancetta kielbasa boudin porchetta jerky turkey capicola.
- Bacon hamburger andouille brisket shoulder.
Personal Insight
As our final major delivery before Christmas, the team kept morale high by pumping festive tracks through the PA (Cliff Richard and Slade featured heavily). Sweet treats and crew refreshments were on hand throughout the build — and staying on-site allowed us to rotate teams for true 24-hour setup capability.
Outcome
This project demonstrated the growing demand within corporate and tech events for formats that go beyond traditional conferencing — blending interactivity, content, and high-level production. Working alongside agencies, internal teams, and a busy hotel venue, we proved that world-class creative delivery is possible even in the most logistically complex environments.
The 2024 edition of Cyber Threat marked a new high for the SANS team — with overwhelmingly positive audience feedback, high levels of engagement across the live stream, and a seamless in-room experience.
Delivered to a global audience from a major UK venue, the event cemented its reputation as a world-class production at the intersection of cybersecurity, creativity, and live event technology.
Project Summary:
Client:
SANS
Project Lead:
LUX Technical
Date:
December 2024
Location:
Novotel London, London
Contributors:
Services Deployed: