Empowering the Future of Cybersecurity Through CTF Events at GISEC
In the heart of Dubai’s futuristic skyline, innovation meets ambition.
The UAE Cyber Security Council recognized a pressing need: inspire and cultivate the next generation of cyber defenders.
To achieve this goal, they turned to Cyber War Games & Capture-The-Flag (CTF) Events as an engaging, hands-on approach.
At GISEC Global, one of the world’s largest cybersecurity conferences, a groundbreaking hackathon was set to make history.
The Challenge: Engaging and Training Cyber Talent
Faced with the growing complexity of cyber threats, the UAE Cyber Security Council needed an effective way to motivate students, professionals, and cybersecurity enthusiasts.
They sought a dynamic experience that would go beyond traditional learning and deliver practical, real-world training.
The answer was clear: launch a Cyber War Games & Capture-The-Flag (CTF) Event that would captivate and challenge participants.
“We believe fostering interest and awareness in cybersecurity is crucial to building a secure
Khaled Al Melhi, CEO of CPX
and well-informed future workforce. As we progress towards a digital-first world, we recognize the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the market; hence initiatives like CyberThon are pivotal to close the gap. They help prepare and encourage young talent to become the next generation of cybersecurity experts. The UAE is making huge strides in building awareness, and there is no better place than GISEC Global to hold this event and support the nation’s efforts.”
The Solution: Cympire’s Cyber Range in Action
To bring this vision to life, CPX Holding, RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems, and Cympire joined forces.
Leveraging Cympire’s cutting-edge cyber range technology, they designed a series of live cyberattack simulations for the hackathon.
Participants engaged in Cyber War Games & Capture-The-Flag (CTF) Events, competing across multiple rounds under real-time pressure.
Gamified experiences, immediate feedback, and realistic scenarios elevated the competition, allowing participants to sharpen their threat detection, defense strategies, and incident response skills.
The Results: A Thrilling Success Story
The hackathon electrified GISEC Global, drawing cyber warriors from around the world.
Students, enthusiasts, and experts faced off in thrilling cyber battles, striving to solve complex challenges and climb the leaderboard.
In the end, six outstanding participants—Eugene Lik, Oussama Messabih, Likhith Cheekatipalle, Fatimah Alneyadi, Noor Alattas, and Alia Alneyadi—emerged as champions.
Their victory symbolized the UAE’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity excellence and building a resilient digital future.
Following the success of the event, the UAE Cyber Security Council announced that the hackathon would become a permanent, annual fixture at GISEC, strengthening global collaboration and innovation in cybersecurity.
“RAFAEL is proud to encourage and help cultivate excellence in the realm of cyber security.
Guy Oren, VP & Head of RAFAEL’s Cyber Directorate
Events such as CyberThon are an essential tool for the next generation of experts, helping
them sharpen their skills and find inspiration. As a leader in the field, RAFAEL continues to
innovate and develop next-generation solutions in the cyber arena. Likewise, RAFAEL realizes
the importance of investing in the future — and that’s exactly what we have accomplished
here.”
Building a Resilient Cyber Workforce Through CTF Events
By combining the excitement of Cyber War Games & Capture-The-Flag (CTF) Events with real-world training, CPX Holding, RAFAEL, and Cympire created an unforgettable learning experience.
The event demonstrated how hands-on cybersecurity exercises can develop practical skills, foster leadership, and inspire the cybersecurity experts of tomorrow.
Bring Cyber War Games to Your Next Event
Capture the excitement and effectiveness of live cybersecurity competitions with Cympire’s powerful platform.
Request a demo today and discover how you can host Cyber War Games & Capture-The-Flag (CTF) Events that leave a lasting impact!
