Summary
Several cybersecurity competitions are open to the general public, including those designed specifically for beginners and students. These typically use a Capture the Flag (CTF) format, where participants solve security-related challenges to find hidden “flags” and earn points.
Key Takeaway for Beginners
For those with no experience, picoCTF, National Cyber League, and platforms like TryHackMe are excellent starting points because they provide educational content and challenges that scale with your skills, allowing you to learn as you go.
OnAir Post: Competitions for the Public
About
Source: 11/8/2025
Key competitions and platforms for the general public and beginners include:
Major Competitions
- picoCTF: Hosted by Carnegie Mellon University, this is one of the largest free competitions, specifically targeted at middle, high school, and college students (ages 13+) but open to all skill levels. It features scalable challenges from easy puzzles to professional-level problems.
- National Cyber League (NCL): A biannual competition for high school and college students that mimics real-world job tasks and provides participants with a “scouting report” of their skills for potential employers. It is a great way for non-professionals to build and demonstrate practical skills.
- SANS NetWars: The SANS Institute offers a series of challenge modules across a wide range of skill levels, from beginner to advanced. These are available at various events and conferences throughout the year.
- DEF CON Contests: Held annually at the major hacker conference in Las Vegas, DEF CON hosts numerous contests, including a highly prestigious CTF and others like lockpicking and social engineering challenges. Many contests are open to conference attendees.
- Global CyberLympics: A competition aimed at IT security professionals and enthusiasts that goes beyond traditional CTFs, incorporating elements like pen testing, forensics, and malware analysis.
Online Learning and Practice Platforms
These platforms provide competition-style environments for self-paced learning, many of which can be accessed by the general public at any time:
- TryHackMe and Hack The Box: These platforms offer a range of labs and challenges designed to help users learn and practice cybersecurity skills in a safe, legal environment. They include specific beginner-friendly paths.
- OverTheWire: Offers a series of wargames to help users learn security concepts through practical challenges, starting with basic skills.
- CTFtime.org: A valuable resource that lists many upcoming CTF events worldwide, with filters available for online-only or beginner-friendly competitions.
