Capture the (red) flag: An inside look into China’s hacking contest ecosystem

Dakota Cary and Eugenio Benincasa

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Introduction

Boxers do not train by reading books. Instead of in a library, they are found floating around the ring, throwing punches into bags, dodging their coach’s padded hands, and repeating their moves for hundreds of hours—all for a fight that lasts up to thirty-six minutes. Training in the ring is crucial for a fighter.

That same exposure to hands-on practice, in addition to classroom learning, is critical for cyber operators. While a degree from a prestigious institution can help someone land an interview at a tech company, companies screen candidates via coding interviews to check for actual, demonstrable capabilities. In cybersecurity, hacking competitions often serve this same role—letting students and experts prove their abilities in a safe, legal environment.

China has built the world’s most comprehensive ecosystem for CTF competitions. Hacking competitions build community, showcase talent, stimulate innovation, and allow participants to get hands-on experience.