Germany has emerged as the winner of the 2023 European Cybersecurity Challenge (ECSC), beating a lineup of 34 teams from the European Union, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations, and 5 guest teams from Canada, Serbia, Georgia, Singapore, Costa Rica, and the United States. Switzerland clinched second place, while Denmark was third.
Organized by the Norwegian Technical University (NTNU) and hosted at the Hamar campus, this year’s challenge aimed to foster the development of cybersecurity talents and bolster interest in the field among the youth. Pascal Steichen, Chair of the Governing Board of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, and Ambassador Nicolas de La Grandville from the Delegation of the European Union to Norway, were on hand to honor the victors.
The three-day challenge tested participants on a range of cybersecurity proficiencies. Days one and three utilized a Jeopardy format, gauging the teams on vital skills ranging from crypto and steganography to reverse engineering and web security. But the real challenge lay on the second day when teams were pitted against each other in an Attack & Defence exercise. Here, teams not only defended their own networks but also attempted to breach the networks of their adversaries. This intense showdown stressed the importance of swift decision-making and the need to adapt strategies on the fly.
“The European Cybersecurity Challenge further expands the networking opportunities, next generations need,” emphasized Juhan Lepassaar, EU Agency for Cybersecurity Executive Director. “We have a duty to help young people find the career they are best suited for to make a significant impact in protecting digital assets and data, and ultimately secure our entire digital life.”
Cybersecurity enthusiasts should mark their calendars, as the 2024 edition of the European Cybersecurity Challenge is set to take place in Italy. Further details will be available on the ECSC website in the coming months.