Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Professor Endadul Hoque hosted a Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). These competitions provide a gamified, hands-on approach to cybersecurity education, helping students strengthen their problem-solving skills and prepare for real-world security challenges.
“It’s an effective way to improve security education and a great way to foster a more competitive and engaged cybersecurity workforce,” says Hoque.
In CTF competitions, participants search for hidden text strings in vulnerable websites or programs. A warm-up session was organized during the spring 2025 semester at the Center for Science and Technology with 18 undergraduate students in attendance. Hoque’s PhD students—Siwei Zhang, Polina Kozyreva, and Uday Devaraj—were also part of the organizing team.
“This was our department’s first-ever CTF initiative. The session was a great success and generated a lot of positive energy among participants,” Hoque says.
The CTF initiatives are a part of Hoque’s efforts to bolster the EECS department and engage students outside the classroom. He will form a team to participate in competitions by hosting more sessions and getting students involved while promoting cybersecurity awareness.
“Organizing a CTF challenge for undergraduates allowed me to inspire and encourage younger minds to apply their skills in new ways and deepen their understanding of this ever-evolving field. I hope the experience fuels their passion for computer science and supports their journey beyond academia,” says Kozyreva.
“The response was overwhelmingly positive, with participants calling it fun, engaging, and thrilling. Instead of focusing on technical depth, we aimed to build a creative, collaborative CTF community. It was incredibly rewarding to see everyone enjoying the event!” says Zhang.
“The CTF event was a great experience, and my first time helping organize one. The excitement was contagious, especially when students celebrated their wins by capturing the flag. I’m grateful for the opportunity,” says Devaraj.
