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We recently covered some basic knowledge topics relating to cybersecurity careers, and in that blog we mentioned “Capture the Flag” events. So, what are Capture the Flag events, and how can they help students, recent graduates, or those who are thinking of changing careers? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Capture the Flag Event?
In the world of cybersecurity, a Capture the Flag (CTF) event doesn’t include running around a field trying to steal your opponent’s flag. Nope, it’s about capturing digital flags, which are strings of text hidden in a system, file, or program.
These events are designed to simulate real-world cybersecurity scenarios and are often used for educational purposes, in recruiting, and in various skill-building environments. Next, let’s talk about the two primary types of CTF events.
Jeopardy
By now, everyone’s more or less familiar with the popular and long-running backwards trivia game where contestants are given an answer and then they have to…ehem…answer with a question. Don’t worry, this game doesn’t follow that confusing philosophy.
Jeopardy-style CTFs feature a trivia board where participants choose from a series of categories, just like the real Jeopardy. The categories might include Cryptography, Web Exploitation, Binary Exploitation, Reverse Engineering, or Digital Forensics.
Like Jeopardy, each challenge earns participants a certain number of points, and the goal is to solve as many as possible. This type of CTF is played by both individuals and small teams.
Attack and Defense
In this type of CTF event, teams are given their own networks or servers and must defend their systems while simultaneously trying to exploit vulnerabilities in others’. These events are a bit more intense when compared with the Jeopardy-style CTFs.
Participants deal with simulations of real-life “red team” and “blue team” operations. Here, the red and blue teams represent attackers and defenders. The high-pressure nature of Attack and Defense events helps build soft skills like resilience and adaptability, and these types of events are ideal for aspiring penetration testers or security analysts.
The Benefits of CTF Events
Resume and Portfolio Building
Winning or participating in well-known CTFs (more on these in a bit) can really make your resume stand out, especially if you don’t have a lot of work experience or if you’re changing careers. For example, you might include details of solved challenges to showcase your problem-solving ability.
Hands-on Learning
Rather than simply reading about security breaches or software bugs, you’ll be actively engaging with them, writing scripts, breaking encryption, and finding weaknesses—these skills translate directly to jobs in cybersecurity, IT, and data privacy.
Career Visibility
Some of the biggest names in tech and defense, such as Google, Microsoft, and the NSA, host or sponsor CTFs to identify promising new talent. Participating in one is a major asset to add to your resume or LinkedIn profile, especially if you win or place high.
Networking and Community
Whether you’re in a local college group or playing on an international team, CTFs are great for connecting with other cybersecurity enthusiasts, potential mentors, and even future employers.
Who Should Try CTF Events?
Most typically, college students who are studying computer science, IT, or cybersecurity participate in CTFs. Recent graduates who are interested in becoming security analysts, penetration testers, or systems administrators may also take part in CTFs.
If you’re thinking of changing careers and you’ve got your eye on cybersecurity, CTFs are great for gaining relevant experience. Used in conjunction with transferable skills, proof of your participation in CTFs will make you a viable candidate.
Those who don’t fall under any of the categories above but who enjoy puzzles or logic games would also enjoy CTFs. The skills you’ll be using and developing can be applied to pretty much any role, so the benefit of participating in CTF events extends beyond the realm of cybersecurity.
How to Get Started with CTF Events
The best part about CTF events is that you don’t need a certification or any fancy gear to get started. Consider checking out some beginner-friendly platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, or OverTheWire. These websites offer free or low-cost challenges that mimic real CTF competitions.
If you’re a student, you can check with your school to see if it has any CTF clubs. There are also plenty of CTF communities on Reddit and Discord where you can form teams with people at your skill level.
For those who are interested in participating in CTF competitions, CTFTime.org maintains a global calendar of upcoming events, complete with difficulty ratings, which types of games are available, and links to join.
Lastly, if you’re planning on including the results of CTFs you’ve participated in on your resume, consider tracking your progress. This will help you remember which CTFs you’ve participated in, how you placed, and what skills you worked on or developed.
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world, and CTFs are an excellent entry point. Whether you’re chasing a new career path, testing your skills, or just curious to see if hacking is your thing, these events offer a unique, challenging, and rewarding experience.
Rob Porter is an editor at Vault.
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