UCLA’s ACM Cyber, a student-led community under the university’s Association for Computing Machinery chapter, recently hosted its third annual Capture the FlaCTF Cybersecurity Competition. Held in a hybrid format at Covel Commons and online, the event brought together participants from various academic backgrounds to test their cybersecurity skills.
A Global Cybersecurity Challenge CTF Cybersecurity Competition
The CTF Cybersecurity Competition, held on February 8 and 9, saw approximately 100 in-person participants, primarily from UCLA, while 30 high school students, mainly from Valencia High School, joined the event for the first time. In addition, over 1,000 teams from across the United States and 20 other countries, including India, Germany, Vietnam, France, Japan, and Australia, competed virtually.
Throughout the weekend, student teams worked to solve more than 50 cybersecurity challenges, covering topics such as blockchain security, GitHub exploits, and server vulnerabilities. Some of the key challenges included forging commit signatures on GitHub, exploiting an insecure shuffling algorithm, hacking a Next.js development server, and attacking a vulnerable blockchain smart contract. The tasks varied in complexity, ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced-level problems. While some challenges were solved within minutes, others took hours—one particularly difficult challenge remained unsolved until 37 hours into the competition.
Key Highlights and UCLA’s Strong Performance
The LA CTF Cybersecurity Competition featured more than just challenges—it also provided an opportunity for networking and learning. A keynote address was delivered by Nader Sehatbakhsh, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at UCLA. Alumni panels, featuring former ACM Cyber at UCLA members, offered insights into career paths in cybersecurity. Additionally, a conference village showcased various UCLA engineering clubs, encouraging collaboration and engagement within the tech community.
Among the competing teams, Nathan16, representing UCLA, claimed the first-place spot in the UCLA division. Despite consisting of only two players, the team managed to achieve an impressive 58th place overall, competing against some of the best cybersecurity teams worldwide.
Industry Support and Sponsorships
The LA CTF event received strong backing from major tech and defense industry leaders. Sponsors included Microsoft, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, The Aerospace Corporation Crowdstrike, Google Cloud, OtterSec, BinaryNinja, and Amber, all of whom recognized the competition’s role in fostering the next generation of cybersecurity experts.
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, events like UCLA’s LA CTF serve as valuable training grounds for aspiring professionals. By providing real-world challenges and industry connections, the competition reinforces the importance of cybersecurity skills in today’s digital landscape. With growing participation and international engagement, LA CTF is solidifying its position as a premier event for cybersecurity enthusiasts worldwide.
