Security competitions can be a great way to challenge yourself, meet new people, and learn. As part of a study plan, consider attending one — even if only as an observer — after you’ve put in a lot of work on the foundations.

Many types of competitions exist. Three common variations are :

  1. Capture the Flags
  2. Cyber Business Case Competitions
  3. Hacking labs

Introductory Capture the Flags (CTFs)

“Capture the Flag” competitions challenge people to hack in lab environments curated by competition organizers. Winners are the first to find “flags,” each usually a long and unique string of characters planted where only an administrator could access and no one could have guessed.

Check out:


Cyber Business Case Competitions

ISACA