Team Europe Triumphs at the International Cybersecurity Challenge 2024

In a remarkable display of skill and teamwork, Team Europe has emerged victorious at the International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC) 2024, held from October 28 to November 1 in Santiago, Chile. The team not only clinched the highest score in both the Capture the Flag (CTF) and Attack/Defense challenges but also showcased the depth of talent and collaboration that exists within the European cybersecurity community. Following closely behind were Team Asia in second place and Team Oceania in third, marking a competitive event that brought together some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity from around the globe.

Celebrating Team Europe

This year’s Team Europe was a diverse group of 16 talented individuals, representing various countries across the continent. The team comprised:

• Louis Dasnois (Belgium)
• Odysseas Stavrou (Cyprus)
• Alexander Skovsende (Denmark)
• Astrid Bek (Denmark)
• Stepan Fedotov (Finland)
• Jan-Niklas Sohn (Germany)
• Yannik Marchand (Germany)
• Nikolaos Mourousias (Greece)
• Cillian Collins (Ireland)
• Vincenzo Bonforte (Italy)
• Rick de Jager (Netherlands)
• Maja Kądziołka (Poland)
• Szymon Borecki (Poland)
• Mariana Rio Costa (Portugal)
• Dragoș Albăstroiu (Romania)
• Andraž Strgar (Slovenia)
• Philippe Dourassov (Switzerland)

Their collective efforts and expertise were instrumental in achieving this prestigious victory, demonstrating the strength of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the cybersecurity field.

Acknowledging the Support of ENISA

The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) played a crucial role in the preparation and success of Team Europe. ENISA Executive Director Juhan Lepassaar emphasized the importance of nurturing young cybersecurity talent to address the growing skills gap in the industry. He stated, “Supporting the younger generation of cybersecurity talent constitutes the key viable solution to effectively address the cybersecurity skills gap. The International Cybersecurity Challenge showcases the collaborative efforts of ENISA with the international cybersecurity community to promote skills development and knowledge-sharing in the field across the world.”

ENISA coordinated the selection process and training for Team Europe, which included boot camps, qualifiers, and online training sessions. The team was guided by five dedicated coaches: Jan Gocník, Mario Polino, Sanne Maasakkers, Pedro Adao, and Carlos Polop Martin, whose expertise and mentorship were vital to the team’s success.

The ICC Experience

The ICC 2024 brought together seven teams from Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, and the United States, representing over 80 countries. During the three-day event, participants engaged in a series of complex cybersecurity challenges, including classic Jeopardy-style puzzles that tested their skills in areas such as cryptography, reverse engineering, forensics, and web exploitation. The competition also introduced contemporary challenges involving cloud computing, artificial intelligence, operational technology, mobile applications, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

In addition to the CTF challenges, the Attack and Defense competition required teams to defend their services while exploiting vulnerabilities in their opponents’ systems, culminating in a thrilling race to capture flags.

Acknowledging Volunteers and Sponsors

The success of the ICC would not have been possible without the contributions of 50 dedicated volunteers who provided invaluable training and authored challenges for the competitors. ENISA extends its gratitude to these volunteers and particularly to the trainers who led the boot camps: Athanasios Vasileios Grammatopoulos, Andrea Biondo, Davide Maiorca, Erlantz Saenz, Javier Jimenez, Marco Squarcina, Richard Weiss, and Robin Jadoul.

Moreover, ENISA expressed its appreciation to sponsors Accenture and Ubitech for their unwavering support throughout the event, which helped facilitate the competition and foster the development of cybersecurity skills.

Looking Ahead: Kunoichi Cyber Games

As the ICC concludes, Team Europe is already preparing for its next challenge: the Kunoichi Cyber Games, scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, on November 14-15, 2024. This initiative aims to promote diversity and encourage female participation in the cybersecurity field, furthering the mission of creating an inclusive environment within the industry.

Conclusion

The International Cybersecurity Challenge 2024 has not only highlighted the exceptional talent within Team Europe but has also reinforced the importance of collaboration, training, and mentorship in addressing the cybersecurity skills gap. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, events like the ICC play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity experts and fostering a global community dedicated to safeguarding our digital future.

For more information about Team Europe and the ICC, visit the following links:

• Meet Team Europe for International Cybersecurity Challenge 2024! — ENISA
• Home – International CyberSecurity Challenge
• International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC) — ENISA

For press inquiries, please contact press (at) enisa.europa.eu.

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