SecLounge SIG: Annual Capture the Flag Challenge

Overview

The inaugural FIRST Capture the Flag (CTF) event was launched at the 24th Annual FIRST Conference in Malta (2012), organized through a collaboration between FIRST members and the now-retired Dragon Research Group. In 2018, the SecLounge Special Interest Group (SIG) was officially chartered to design, develop, and host security challenges and competitions for the FIRST community.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 CTF competitions were held entirely online, attracting over 800 participants worldwide. These virtual editions were open to the broader community and helped expand engagement beyond the conference.

For the 2025 edition, the SecLounge SIG will once again host a hybrid CTF, allowing both remote and on-site participation. This year, the SIG is excited to welcome a new group of challenge contributors and aims to keep participants engaged throughout the conference week.

The hybrid CTF will run from Monday to Thursday (June 15–19). All scheduled times will be communicated in Mountain Daylight Time (UTC -6).

How to Play

The CTF competition consists of a series of technical challenges where participants must discover and submit a correct answer—known as a “flag”—to the CTF platform.

Each submitted flag contributes to the team’s overall score. New challenges are released daily throughout the conference and span a variety of categories, including: Network, Web, Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Cryptography, Reverse Engineering, Programming, Puzzles, Miscellaneous.

Do You Need a Team?

We strongly recommend participating in the CTF as a team of up to four members. Start coordinating early with peers who are also attending the conference to form your team.

Each team is encouraged to strategize and assign challenges based on individual strengths, allowing you to maximize your collective expertise and performance.

At least one team member must be on-site to participate.

Will There Be Prizes?

Yes! We will be awarding three teams.

Timeline of Events

  • June 15 - Opening Remarks Kick-off
  • June 15-18 - CTF will start at Monday and run through Thursday
  • June 18 - Debrief scheduled to be schedule at the venue. Time and room TBA.
  • June 19 – Closing Session remarks and awards

How to Register

Registered attendees of the conference will receive an email prior to the start of conference with registration instructions. A link will also be available within the conference app.

Learn more about the SecLounge SIG

Thank You to our 2025 Contributors & Supporters

Interested in supporting the CTF in 2026? Email events@first.org for the details on you can provide support for the 2026 challenge!