First Flag:
The Entry Point
Your gateway into cybersecurity. A live workshop + mini CTF designed for absolute beginners.
Everything you need to know
All the key details about First Flag — where, when, and what to expect.
H70.01.1070
BHB Case Study
Lecture Theatre 1070
23 April
Thursday · 18:00 - 21:00
3 hours of learning + hacking
3 Members
Register as a team of exactly 3. Solo? We'll help match you up!
Free Snacks
3 PEP hours · Prizes · Snacks provided throughout the event
Capture The Flag — explained
Never heard of it? That's exactly why you should come.
Capture The Flag (CTF) competition is a type of cybersecurity challenge where participants solve a series of puzzles and hacking challenges to find hidden "flags" — secret strings of text — embedded inside vulnerable programs, websites, or files.
Think of it like an escape room, but for cybersecurity. Each puzzle tests a specific skill: Can you decode a hidden message? Find a flaw in a web app? Crack an encrypted password? Every flag you find earns your team points.
CTFs are used by security professionals, students, and hobbyists worldwide to learn real-world cybersecurity skills in a safe, legal, and competitive environment. First Flag is a beginner-friendly mini CTF — we'll walk you through everything before you compete.
What the challenges look like
CTF competitions span multiple cybersecurity disciplines. Here's what you might encounter.
Web Exploitation
Find and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications — SQL injection, XSS, broken authentication, and more.
Cryptography
Decrypt ciphers, break encryption schemes, and crack hashed passwords using logic and mathematics.
OSINT
Open-Source Intelligence: find hidden information using only publicly available data and clever searching.
Forensics
Analyse files, images, and network traffic to uncover hidden data and reconstruct what happened.
Reverse Engineering
Disassemble compiled programs to understand how they work and find the embedded flag inside.
Steganography
Uncover messages hidden inside images, audio files, or other media using specialised tools.
What you'll walk away with
Beyond the fun, First Flag gives you real, lasting value.
Real Cybersecurity Skills
Gain hands-on experience with tools and techniques used by security professionals in the industry.
3 PEP Hours
If you're an Engineering student, you'll earn 3 PEP hours for attending and engaging.
Prizes to Be Won
The top-performing teams take home prizes. Compete, collaborate, and come out on top.
Community & Networking
Meet like-minded students and cybersecurity enthusiasts from all across the university.
Safe Learning Environment
Everything is ethical and legal. We set you up before the competition begins, there's no prior knowledge needed.
Free Snacks
Fuel your brain! Snacks are provided throughout the 3-hour event to keep you sharp and focused.
Secure your spot
Registration is handled through the USU portal. Click below to register your team — teams of 3.
Register Yourself