A High-Intensity, Two-Hour Cybersecurity Showdown powered by EC-Council Learning , designed to build a strong pipeline of cyber talent in the UAE through real-world cyber-attack simulations and hands-on training.
Dubai, UAE, March 11, 2025: EC-Council, the global leader in cybersecurity education and the creator of the world-renowned Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential, announces the launch of its first-ever Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition at Zayed University in the UAE. This groundbreaking event, held as part of the 16th Student Research Conference (SRC), is an initiative between EC-Council and Zayed University, with sponsorship from Zayed University Research and IEEE UAE.
The collaboration with Zayed University highlights the importance of academic-industry partnerships in addressing the cybersecurity skills gap. As one of the UAE’s leading institutions of higher education, Zayed University is dedicated to empowering students with the skills needed for success in a digital-first world.
With the UAE facing a significant cybersecurity talent shortage highlighted by a recent Fortinet study showing that 90% of organizations in the region experienced a cyber breach last year, there is an urgent need for skilled professionals. EC-Council’s Capture the Flag (CTF) competition plays a crucial role in solving this disconnect by providing students with immersive, hands-on cybersecurity training. By bridging the divide between theoretical knowledge and practical application, the competition develops critical problem-solving, teamwork, and technical expertise. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader mission to develop a future-ready cybersecurity workforce capable of defending against evolving digital threats
“Cybersecurity is not a privilege; it’s a necessity for every individual in our digital age”, said Jay Bavisi, Group President, EC-Council. “At EC-Council, we are committed to democratizing cybersecurity education, ensuring that aspiring professionals gain hands-on experience in a high-pressure, real-world environment. The Capture the Flag competition delivers a fast-paced, immersive challenge that simulates real-life cybersecurity scenarios, allowing students to hone their skills and compete at the highest level. Our vision is to build a diverse, global community of cybersecurity experts who are prepared to safeguard our interconnected world.”
The competition will be hosted on EC-Council Learning – the world’s largest online cybersecurity library equipped with a vast variety of Capture The Flag (CTF) and advanced lab capabilities. ECL’s labs simulate real-world cyber threats, enabling participants to engage in live hacking challenges, vulnerability assessments, and system exploitation scenarios within a controlled environment.
Competition Highlights:
- Date: April 10, 2025
- Duration: 2 hours
- Format: Team-based, featuring 10 challenging cybersecurity flags
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students from the UAE, Middle East, and beyond
Skills Tested:
- Network Scanning – Identifying vulnerabilities in system architectures
- System Hacking – Exploiting system vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access
- Web Application Hacking – Exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and databases
- Privilege Escalation – Exploiting system misconfigurations to gain elevated privileges
- Cryptography – Applying decryption techniques to extract sensitive information
- Packet Analysis – Inspecting network traffic to identify security weaknesses
All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation, with special prizes for the top three teams. The competition is expected to bring together 100-150 skilled students, forming dynamic teams to tackle evolving digital threats. This event plays a vital role in fostering hands-on expertise, ensuring students gain the skills necessary to combat real-world cybersecurity challenges.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with EC-Council on this pioneering Capture the Flag competition,” said Prof. Omar Alfandi – Zayed University Representative. “With the UAE facing a critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals, initiatives like this competition are essential for bridging the skills gap. By providing real-world simulation, expert mentorship, and rigorous evaluation, the EC-Council CTF competition is set to become a cornerstone event for cybersecurity education in the UAE and beyond. It serves as a launchpad for students to showcase their expertise, gain industry recognition, and establish themselves as future leaders in cybersecurity.”
By integrating academic knowledge with real-world challenges, the EC-Council CTF competition strengthens the UAE’s cybersecurity ecosystem and contributes to building a robust pipeline of skilled professionals.
About EC-Council:
EC-Council is the creator of the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program and a leader in cybersecurity education. Founded in 2001, EC-Council’s mission is to provide high-quality training and certifications for cybersecurity professionals to keep organizations safe from cyber threats. EC-Council offers over 200 certifications and degrees in various cybersecurity domains, including forensics, security analysis, threat intelligence, and information security.
An ISO/IEC 17024 accredited organization, EC-Council has certified over 350,000 professionals worldwide, with clients ranging from government agencies to Fortune 100 companies. EC-Council is the gold standard in cybersecurity certification, trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and leading global corporations.
For more information, visit: www.eccouncil.org
About Zayed University
Zayed University is one of the leading higher education institutions in the UAE, dedicated to academic excellence and innovation. With a strong focus on research and technology, the university provides students with cutting-edge educational programs that align with industry needs. Zayed University plays a vital role in shaping the future of cybersecurity education by fostering collaboration between academia and industry professionals.
