5th Consecutive Victory for Team Europe During the International Cybersecurity Challenge

Outstanding Team Europe made it again to the top step of the podium of the 5th edition of the International Cybersecurity Challenge, taking ownership of the winning title for the past five years. This year’s edition of the International Cybersecurity Challenge was hosted in Brisbane, Australia. The International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC) is the first global ’Capture the Flag event’ (CTF), that attracts more than 65 countries and aims to aspire cybersecurity talent across the world, with the aim to raise awareness and foster the development of cybersecurity skills and competences. The initiative was first designed and launched by ENISA, jointly with regional and international organisations back in 2022.

Teams competed against each other by solving complex cybersecurity puzzles, involving classic Jeopardy challenges,  such as cryptography, reverse engineering, forensic, web exploitation, that are updated with contemporary software and technology challenges, like cloud, AI, Operational Technology (OT) environments, mobile applications and IoT. ICC also features an Attack and Defense competition, where players are requested to defend vulnerable services through patching while exploiting vulnerabilities of other teams and eventually steal flags. 

To prepare the team, ENISA, in cooperation, for the first time this year with the ECCC, facilitates a structured training programme in close collaboration with Team Europe’s official coaches. This includes training bootcamps, an official qualifier event, and a series of online training sessions aimed at developing both technical skills and team cohesion. The team’s preparation and success would not have been possible without the dedication, guidance and expertise of the coaches: Mario Polino, Pedro Adao, Sanne Maasakkers, Ioannis Agrafiotis, Rick de Jager and Dragos Albastroiu.

Team Europe

Outstanding team Europe, among them being the Netherlands, made it again to the top step of the podium of the 5th edition of the International Cybersecurity Challenge, taking ownership of the winning title for the past five years. 

ENISA warmly congratulates all the winning teams:

• Team Oceania in 3rd place,
• Team USA in 2nd place,
• And Team Europe, securing the international title for the 5th time in a row!

Future International Cybersecurity Challenge

The next International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC 2027) will return the competition to Europe for the first time since it was first held in Athens, Greece in 2022. The ICC will take place in October 2027 in Ireland.

ENISA, together with the ECCC and European Commission, will support the Woman International Cybersecurity Challenge (WICC) in Dublin this summer, bringing together top female cybersecurity talents from Europe and partner regions. This event will include hands-on technical challenges, mentoring opportunities, and international collaboration activities, providing a dedicated platform to showcase and strengthen women’s participation in cybersecurity. 

The initiative builds on ongoing efforts to promote diversity, inclusion, and equal access to cybersecurity careers worldwide.

Source: ENISA Europe