The “Capture the Flag” competition commenced on January 27, 2025, in the Aljada area of Sharjah, as part of the “Be Aware” campaign initiated by the Sharjah Police General Command. This event attracted 200 participants, including university students and information technology specialists, aiming to enhance awareness about cybersecurity and equip youth with essential skills to confront digital security challenges in a dynamic and competitive setting.

The competition covers seven critical areas: open-source intelligence, digital forensics, decryption, network security testing, web application hacking, reverse engineering, and phishing. Additionally, specialized workshops were organized to explain the fundamentals of “Capture the Flag” competitions and address electronic phishing, further enriching the participants’ learning experience.

Brigadier Ahmed Haji Al Serkal, Director-General of the General Department of Prevention and Community Protection, noted that the challenge is scheduled to last for two days, specifically January 27 and 28, 2025, in conjunction with the “Be Aware” campaign. He emphasized that the competition revolves around participants locating a “flag,” which refers to a hidden file or piece of information within a virtual environment.

Contestants will earn points by successfully solving various challenges, with the top five participants who score the highest being recognized as winners. The event also features workshops conducted by cybersecurity experts, designed to enhance participants’ abilities to address current security issues effectively.