Tribune News Network
Doha
In line with its ongoing efforts to raise cybersecurity awareness and develop national competencies in this critical field, the KINDI Centre for Computing Research at the College of Engineering at Qatar University (QU), and Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) concluded the 2024 National Cybersecurity Competition.
The event was sponsored by Dolphin Energy Limited and Qatar National Bank (QNB) in collaboration with Joaan Bin Jassim Academy of Defence Studies, University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), and the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA).
This prominent national initiative focused on cybersecurity threats and financial sector risks while equipping participants with the tools to address these challenges. The competition featured three main "Capture the Flag” (CtF) challenge tracks, designed to test participants’ abilities to exploit and secure systems in a competitive environment.
In the undergraduate track, teams representing leading universities and educational institutions in Qatar participated, including QU, UDST, Lusail University, the Cyber Space Academy, Community College of Qatar (CCQ), and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q).The Cyber Space Academy team from the Qatar Armed Forces secured first place, while QU claimed second place, and CMU-Q came in third.
The postgraduate track featured strong competition among teams from QU, UDST, Joaan Bin Jassim Academy of Defence Studies, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). The Joaan Bin Jassim Academy team took first place, followed by HBKU in second place and QU in third.
The professional track, organised by the Qatar Computing Research Institute, showcased high levels of competence and professionalism among participating teams. The Commercial Bank team won the first place, while Qatar Foundation secured second place, reflecting the advanced skill sets of cybersecurity professionals in Qatar.
The National Cybersecurity Competition 2024 stands as a testament to the fruitful collaboration between academic and professional institutions in Qatar. It represents a key milestone in enhancing national cybersecurity capabilities and supporting Qatar National Vision 2030 by promoting secure digital transformation across the country.