We are thrilled to announce that Viris played a pivotal role in the first annual global Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition, which took place at GITEX 2022 from October 10th to 14th in Dubai. In collaboration with the UAE Cyber Security Council, Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA), and the UAE Department of Government Support, Viris took the lead in preparing the qualifying round, designing all the CTF challenges, and meticulously monitoring the execution of the competition.
Viris crafted a diverse set of CTF challenges to test the participants’ skills across multiple dimensions of cybersecurity. These challenges included:
- Jeopardy CTF: This format involved solving a variety of independent tasks from different categories such as cryptography, forensics, web exploitation, and more. Each task carried a specific point value, and teams accumulated points by solving as many challenges as possible within the allotted time.
- Attack and Defense: In this format, teams were tasked with both attacking opponents’ systems while defending their own. This real-time challenge tested participants’ abilities to think on their feet, respond to threats, and protect their assets while exploiting vulnerabilities in others.
- IoT Hacking: Focused on the rapidly growing Internet of Things (IoT) domain, this challenge required teams to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in IoT devices. As IoT devices increasingly integrate into our daily lives, this challenge was designed to highlight the unique security challenges these technologies pose.
- Real CTF with Real Case Environment: This innovative challenge replicated a real-world scenarios where participants had to navigate a simulated environment that closely mirrored actual security incidents. Teams faced a series of complex, interconnected challenges that required deep analysis, problem-solving, and collaboration to overcome.
Over 600 teams participated in the intense online qualifier held on September 10, 2022, with only the top five teams advancing to the final round at GITEX. At GITEX, these top teams—”C4T BuT S4D”, “glhf”, “DeadSec”, “r3billions”, and “From Tunisia, with love 🇹🇳” —engaged in a live hacking competition, showcasing their expertise in ethical hacking. Throughout the five-day event, the Viris team ensured that the competition ran smoothly, from the challenge creation to the real-time monitoring and scoring, demonstrating our commitment to fostering cybersecurity excellence.
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, UAE Government, emphasized the importance of this competition, stating: “Capture the Flag is an amazing opportunity to put knowledge into practice. Cybersecurity plays an integral role in creating a safe digital environment for everyone with benefits that are not just economical but on a personal level affecting day-to-day lives. As industries and government entities around the UAE continue to be digitized, the importance of ethical hackers will only rise, and competitions like these will enable us to develop initiatives that promote cybersecurity awareness and educate the wider population.”
The competition culminated in a thrilling finale where the team “C4T BuT S4D” emerged victorious, demonstrating exceptional real-world hacking skills. Their outstanding performance across various challenges set them apart, proving their ability to navigate complex cybersecurity scenarios with precision and skill.
The Abu Dhabi Digital Authority supported the finalists by covering all accommodation, travel expenses, and entry badges, underscoring the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital world. The competition culminated in an award ceremony where the top three teams received cash prizes of AED 35,000, AED 25,000, and AED 15,000, respectively.
Viris is proud to have contributed to this significant event, which not only highlighted the critical role of cybersecurity in protecting our digital infrastructure but also provided a platform for ethical hackers to demonstrate their skills and collaborate on a global scale. We look forward to continuing our partnership with key stakeholders in advancing cybersecurity initiatives and developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
What is GITEX?
GITEX (Gulf Information Technology Exhibition) is one of the largest and most prestigious technology events in the world, held annually in Dubai, UAE. Established in 1981, GITEX has grown into a global platform for showcasing the latest in technology and innovation across various sectors, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, 5G, smart cities, and more.
GITEX attracts a diverse audience of industry leaders, innovators, and technology enthusiasts from around the globe, providing a unique opportunity for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. The event serves as a catalyst for the digital transformation of industries, bringing together government entities, private companies, startups, and academic institutions to explore the future of technology.
With its participation at GITEX Global 2022, the Abu Dhabi Government aimed to enhance strategic public-private partnerships, presenting new opportunities for meaningful cooperation with academia and major global technology companies to support the Emirate’s digital agenda. The event continues to be a key platform for showcasing cutting-edge projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life through digital transformation.
Stay tuned for more updates and future events where Viris will continue to lead the way in cybersecurity innovation.