Inhalt
The pre-Christmas period at SECUINFRA was all about cyber defense and festive cheer. With our CTF Advent calendar, we created a unique internal event that combined IT security skills with a Christmassy atmosphere. From December 1 to 24, our employees puzzled over new challenges every day and were inspired by humorous, festive stories.
A special kind of advent calendar
CTF, short for “Capture the Flag”, is a popular format in IT security that involves solving tricky puzzles and finding digital “flags”. Our Advent calendar contained 24 mini-challenges, which were unlocked at 9 a.m. every morning – plus an introductory task to make it easier to get started.
The focus was on short, 2- to 10-minute tasks that were specifically tailored to Linux tools and their use. Each task was accompanied by a humorous, Christmassy story that not only entertained, but also put the tasks into a festive context. A special highlight: the Advent calendar was displayed directly in the terminal and brought an extra dose of Christmas spirit with a virtual Advent wreath display – in which an additional candle was “lit” on each Advent Sunday.
Great commitment and positive feedback
The response was overwhelming: 22 employees took part in the event and the feedback was consistently positive – even from colleagues who had little previous experience with CTFs. Many reported that they learned new tools and methods through the challenges and can now use them more confidently.
The dynamic among the participants was particularly exciting. Some were so motivated that they jumped straight into the new tasks at 9 a.m. to solve the challenges as quickly as possible. This commitment was also reflected in the results: The first places were fiercely contested!
The winners
In the end, Nils, Fritz and Lukas came out on top – their impressive performance was rewarded with small surprises that were sent to them. Congratulations to the winners!
Conclusion: A successful mix of learning and festive joy
The CTF Advent calendar was not only an entertaining event, but also a valuable learning opportunity. With short, practical tasks, participants were able to expand their knowledge while getting in the mood for the festive season.
A big thank you to everyone who took part and to the organizer, who created a special atmosphere with creative ideas and a festive design. We are already looking forward to next year – because one thing is certain: the SECUINFRA CTF Advent calendar will soon become a tradition!
