Originally published in the 
Canada’s cybersecurity ecosystem is about to level up this February with a major announcement: the Canadian Cybersecurity Network (CCN) and global leader Hack The Box (HTB) are joining forces to launch a national, open-access Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competition. More than just a contest, this initiative is designed to accelerate Canada’s cybersecurity talent pipeline and sharpen business readiness. Open to individuals and teams of all skill levels, from curious newcomers to seasoned experts, the three-tiered challenge combines learning with competition, offering cash awards and prizes while building the next generation of defenders.
Bridging Talent, Business, and Education
At the heart of the collaboration lies a shared vision: to nurture cybersecurity awareness, foster talent development, and elevate businesses through hands-on competition.
“This event is more than a competition, it’s a nationwide platform for learning, connection, and opportunity,” says Francois Guay. “By partnering with Hack The Box, we’re making cybersecurity not just accessible, but exciting for all Canadians.”
For CCN, the country’s largest cybersecurity member network, offering mentorship programs, business directories, and recruitment connections, the tournament is a natural extension of its mission to elevate careers and strengthen businesses through inclusive, practical initiatives. Hack The Box complements that mission with its world-class infrastructure and challenge content, renowned for scalable difficulty, live scoring, and diverse domains spanning web exploitation, reversing, cryptography, and forensics.
“This tournament is about unlocking potential across Canada,” says Joe Gallo of Hack The Box. “Whether someone is taking their first step into cybersecurity or competing at an advanced level, we want every participant to feel supported, challenged, and inspired. Together with CCN, we’re creating a national platform where Canadians can learn, compete, and grow—while strengthening the country’s overall cyber readiness.”
Event Overview: February’s National CTF in Detail
Set to run throughout February, the CTF Tournament is open to all Canadians, this includes students, professionals, hobbyists, and full-time teams alike. Participants can register individually or form teams of up to 6 people, ensuring broad access regardless of background or previous experience. Along the way, competitors will also face off in thrilling 1v1 matchups, with winners advancing to the next round to keep the intensity high and the competition fun.
Four Categories:
- University/College/High School
- Enterprise
- Government
- Other
All levels build in difficulty. The early rounds focus on fundamentals and accessibility. As teams move forward the challenges rise to match the growing level of competition.
Participants will compete in a Jeopardy-style format, selecting from a pool of categorized puzzles and machine-lab challenges, typical of what HTB is known for. A dynamic live scoreboard will keep the competitive spirit alive.
Prizes:
Teams will vie for prizes in each tier. The best teams in each category, and possibly an overall champion, will receive recognition, offering both incentive and prestige.
Learning First:
Aligned with CCN’s educational focus, the event includes preparatory resources, tutorials, and training opportunities, particularly aimed at helping beginners get started and gain confidence. “In my experience, CTFs can genuinely change someone’s trajectory. They are often the moment where a person goes from saying ‘I’m just curious about this stuff’ to saying ‘I can actually do this,” said Julien Richard, Vice-President, Infosec at Lastwall. “These events build confidence, community, and practical skills all at once. A national CTF gives Canadians the chance to learn together, grow together, and truly feel part of this field.”
Why This Matters—Beyond the Competition
- Tackling Canada’s Cyber Talent Gap
Cybersecurity demand continues to outpace supply, but hands-on, gamified learning can help close the gap. CTFs offer one of the most effective environments to turn theoretical knowledge into practical, employable skills.
- Building Business and Community Resilience
By spotlighting cyber talent, the event helps businesses, big and small—identify future hires and internal champions. CCN’s role in connecting professionals and businesses accelerates these linkages. “At its core, this is far more than a contest—it operates as a refined recruitment engine and a catalyst for building a stronger, more connected technical community,” said Kevin Ireland, Worldwide Deputy of Government for Hack The Box. “It empowers organizations to identify individuals who can excel under pressure and solve complex technical challenges with precision.”
- Elevating Cyber Awareness Across Canada
With an open invitation to all Canadians, the event encourages participation from urban centres to remote communities. Outreach will extend through CCN’s network, newsletters, webinars, and Discord channels.
- A National Tech Success Story
This cross-country event, hosted on a global platform like HTB and facilitated by a Canadian industry network, symbolizes the maturation of our cybersecurity ecosystem—positioning the country as a proactive cultivator of both tech talent and tech businesses. As Canada gears up for February’s national Open CTF, the initiative signals more than a short-term cybersecurity challenge, it is a national statement of intent.
By merging the Canadian Cybersecurity Network’s national reach with Hack The Box’s proven platform, the event promises to democratize cyber learning, highlight emerging talent, and link business needs with learning outcomes.
For newcomers, this is a chance to decode their first flag. For seasoned professionals, it’s an opportunity to sharpen skills, earn recognition, and recruit across the country. And for Canada’s cybersecurity future, it’s a step toward a stronger, more inclusive, and agile ecosystem, ready for tomorrow’s digital threats.
For more information visit The Great Canadian CTF Tournament