Latest coverage for Contest
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Contest is a competitive event within the field of information security where participants seek to demonstrate their expertise and skills in various aspects of cybersecurity. These events can range from capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions, where individuals or teams attempt to solve security-related challenges, to defensive and offensive security events that mimic real-world scenarios.
In the context of information security, contests often serve as educational platforms providing hands-on experience, encouraging innovation and problem-solving, and fostering community engagement. They are designed to assess participants’ abilities in areas such as vulnerability discovery, penetration testing, secure coding, system hardening, and incident response. These contests are instrumental in identifying and nurturing talent, highlighting emerging cyber threats, and promoting a better understanding of how to protect against cyber-attacks.
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Hackers earn $1,298,250 for 47 zero-days at Pwn2Own Berlin 2026
The Pwn2Own Berlin 2026 hacking contest has concluded, with security researchers collecting $1,298,250 in rewards after exploiting 47 zero-day flaws. [...]
Microsoft pays $2.3M for cloud and AI flaws at Zero Day Quest
Microsoft has awarded $2.3 million to security researchers after receiving nearly 700 submissions during this year's Zero Day Quest hacking contest. [...]
University of North Georgia Triumphs in DOD Hacking Contest
The Mission: Hack High Value Targets' Devices, Apps and Transmit His LocationA team of cybersecurity students from the University of North Georgia vanquished seven opposing teams from other senior military colleges and elite service academies in an upset victory to win a capture the flag hacking contest staged this week at the National Defense University here.
AI Dominates RSAC Innovation Sandbox
Ten finalists had three minutes to make their case for being the most innovative, promising young security company of the year. Geordie AI wins the 2026 contest.
Cyber Startups to Take Innovation Spotlight at RSAC 2026
As Innovation Sandbox Turns 21, AI-Based Solutions Dominate Annual ContestNext month in San Francisco, the Innovation Sandbox at RSAC Conference will celebrate its 21st year of choosing key emerging solutions in cybersecurity. Past winners and finalists range from EDR and XDR giant SentinelOne in 2014 to cloud security phenom Wiz in 2021.
Swipe, Plug-in, Pwned: Researchers Find New Ways to Hack Vehicles
Security researchers exploited dozens of vulnerabilities in vehicle infotainment systems and EV chargers during the latest Pwn2Own contest at Automotive World 2026.
Chopping AI Down to Size: Turning Disruptive Technology into a Strategic Advantage
Most people know the story of Paul Bunyan. A giant lumberjack, a trusted axe, and a challenge from a machine that promised to outpace him. Paul doubled down on his old way of working, swung harder, and still lost by a quarter inch. His mistake was not losing the contest. His mistake was assuming that effort alone could outmatch a new kind of tool
Zeroday Cloud hacking contest offers $4.5 million in bounties
A new hacking competition called Zeroday Cloud, focused on open-source cloud and AI tools, announced a total prize pool of $4.5 million in bug bounties for researchers that submit exploits for various targets. [...]
Prep is Underway, But 2026 FIFA World Cup Poses Significant Cyber Challenges
The world's most-popular sports contest starts in June 2026 across 16 venues in three countries: Securing the event infrastructure from cyber threats will require massive collaboration.
Wikimedia Foundation loses first court battle to swerve Online Safety Act regulation
But it can contest if it lands up in 'Category 1,' and the move hurts operations, says judge Wikipedia today lost a legal battle against the UK's tech secretary to tighten the criteria around the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA), as it seeks to exclude itself from the strictest regulations.…
Microsoft increases Zero Day Quest prize pool to $5 million
Microsoft will offer up to $5 million in bounty awards at this year's Zero Day Quest hacking contest, which the company describes as the "largest hacking event in history." [...]
Pwn2Own hacking contest pays $1 million for WhatsApp exploit
The Zero Day Initiative is offering a $1 million reward to security researchers who will demonstrate a zero-click WhatsApp exploit at its upcoming Pwn2Own Ireland 2025 hacking contest. [...]
VMware fixes four ESXi zero-day bugs exploited at Pwn2Own Berlin
VMware fixed four vulnerabilities in VMware ESXi, Workstation, Fusion, and Tools that were exploited as zero-days during the Pwn2Own Berlin 2025 hacking contest in May 2025. [...]
Mozilla fixes Firefox zero-days exploited at hacking contest
Mozilla released emergency security updates to address two Firefox zero-day vulnerabilities demonstrated in the recent Pwn2Own Berlin 2025 hacking competition. [...]
ISMG Editors: Day 1 Overview of RSAC Conference 2025
4-Day Cybersecurity Event Covers Emerging Tech, Latest CyberthreatsISMG Editors convened in San Francisco for coverage of RSAC Conference. Panelists shared an overview of opening-day speakers and hot topics, including the growth of AI, uncertainties in the global threat landscape, the Innovation Sandbox contest and Cryptographers' Panel session.
Record Number of Girls Compete in CyberFirst Contest
More than 14,500 girls from across the UK took part in this year’s CyberFirst Girls competition
Hackers get $886,250 for 49 zero-days at Pwn2Own Automotive 2025
The Pwn2Own Automotive 2025 hacking contest has ended with security researchers collecting $886,250 after exploiting 49 zero-days. [...]
Tesla EV charger hacked twice on second day of Pwn2Own Tokyo
Security researchers hacked Tesla's Wall Connector electric vehicle charger twice on the second day of the Pwn2Own Automotive 2025 hacking contest. [...]
RSA Conference 2025 Innovation Sandbox Contest Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Starting in 2025, the RSAC Innovation Sandbox Top 10 Finalists will each receive a $5 million investment to drive cybersecurity innovation.