Hi all, I thought I would forward this along. Its open to anyone from any rate or service or even civilian that is interested in learning more about computer security and having some fun. This is taken from the official website no outside links allowed It is being run by CTN1 Verity, but again is open to anyone interested.

(For those curious to what this will be like, check out this pdf, it will give you an idea of what kinds of questions and problems you might see above
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The Hacker Challenge is a free and open competition designed specifically for security professionals and enthusiasts (enlisted, officer or government-affiliated civilian), designed to engage a computer security-minded professionals in a fun and educational way.

How It Works:
1. Players sign up at this website anytime before 2200EST on 16 June 2009.

2. Each participant receives a paper or digital copy of the Hacker Challenge packet.

3. The 2009 Hacker Challenge lasts from 1800EST on 23 June to 2200EST on 07 July 2009.

4. Solo participants: Work on their answers alone - without the help of other players, other teams or individuals who are outside the Hacker Challenge. However, solo players are allowed to use their online resources… The limit of “use of online resources” is that you may not email a bud / expert and ask for an answer to a HC question / challenge - that is cheating.

5. Team participants: Work on their answers as part of a dedicated (all members sign up under the same team name) team of two to five players to work together and noodle out the challenges - TEAMWORK is essential. Same as the solo players, you are allowed to use your online resources and are expected to abide by the same limits as they are when it comes to using those online resources.

6. For the Practical section of the Hacker Challenge, participants are encouraged to search the Internet for tools that they can use to run through the hand’s on challenges.

7. Each item in the Hacker Challenge has a pre-assigned point value for successful completion. Higher points mean that the Challenge is harder than the items worth lower points. You are not penalized for answering incorrectly, so answer as many as you can!

8. Solo players and Teams will turn in one set of answers for each topic. Teams will need to make sure that they are all happy with their answers before sending in a unified answer package. If multiple answer packages are received, the last one received will be graded.

9. There are three ways to turn in answers:
- Turn in a written packet to a Hacker Challenge Staff member. This option is only available to players in the Ft. Meade, MD, area! If you wish to turn in a physical copy you will need to contact the Hacker Challenge Staff to schedule a pick up time and date at the NIOC Maryland Quarterdeck.
- FTP a digital copy of your answers to your FTP account. Blank answer template files (.txt) will be downloadable from this site.
- Email a digital copy to the Hacker Challenge Staff. Blank answer template files (.txt) will be downloadable from this site.

10. Answer submissions for Solo players and Teams, regardless of how they are turned in, will be accepted no later than 2200EST on 07 July 2009.

11. Points for correct answers will be tabulated and the top three Solo and Team winners will be announced by 1800EST on 15 July 2009.

For more information or sign up hit
no outside links

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GerryRM3,

Might as well delete the whole thread. Without the links to join, it has no value, IMHO.

You can put the links without linking them.

I'm glad you posted this, heard about the comp last year... Didn't Mario win it.

Without the need of links you could of mentioned the "HakrChllng2009" account on twitter.

It sounds like a blast and hopefully a non "N" will bring conquer all.

Happy Hacking..

CTR1

By the looks of it you have to be military or a civilian government employee, am I correct? Thus not just anyone can participate?

Yes, I took first place last year. I couldn't play or help out this year though since I'm deployed....

The contest isn't officially sanctioned by the Navy and is open to whomever CTN1 V. allows to participate. She invests a lot of her off-time into prepping, running, and grading the contest. It is an extremely well thought-out set of challenges. I think I put nearly 40 hours into last year and still didn't complete every objective.

There is a very good chance it will become a screening mechanism for our more competitive billets in the future if leadership decides to support it.

-CTN1 Mario D.