Stay informed on the latest in cyber contests with in-depth analysis on infosec challenges and competitions. Sharpen your security skills with us!
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Background for this topic.
Contest in information security describes competitive events where participants solve challenges related to hacking, defense, or secure coding. Common formats include capture-the-flag (CTF) contests, where teams exploit vulnerabilities or secure systems under time constraints. These contests simulate real-world attack and defense scenarios, testing skills like vulnerability analysis, exploitation, cryptography, and incident handling.
Security contests matter because they expose participants to practical attack techniques and defensive strategies, improving hands-on expertise. However, contest environments can also reveal undisclosed vulnerabilities or novel exploits that may later be weaponized if not responsibly disclosed. Organizers and participants must carefully manage sensitive findings to avoid unintended exposure, making contests relevant to vulnerability management and secure development practices.
Weekly headline count for the current query.
Richard Horne Seeks to Reframe Discussion of Cyber ExposureBritain's top cybersecurity official sought Wednesday to reframe digital defense as a contest against a constantly shifting opponent rather than a risk to be managed, calling today's spate of breaches and hacking incidents the opening salvos of a future war.
The Pwn2Own Berlin 2026 hacking contest has concluded, with security researchers collecting $1,298,250 in rewards after exploiting 47 zero-day flaws. [...]
Microsoft has awarded $2.3 million to security researchers after receiving nearly 700 submissions during this year's Zero Day Quest 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.
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.
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.
Security researchers exploited dozens of vulnerabilities in vehicle infotainment systems and EV chargers during the latest Pwn2Own contest at Automotive World 2026.
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
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. [...]
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.
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 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." [...]
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 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 released emergency security updates to address two Firefox zero-day vulnerabilities demonstrated in the recent Pwn2Own Berlin 2025 hacking competition. [...]
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.
More than 14,500 girls from across the UK took part in this year’s CyberFirst Girls competition
The Pwn2Own Automotive 2025 hacking contest has ended with security researchers collecting $886,250 after exploiting 49 zero-days. [...]
Security researchers hacked Tesla's Wall Connector electric vehicle charger twice on the second day of the Pwn2Own Automotive 2025 hacking contest. [...]