Episode 127: CTFs
In this episode of the mnemonic security podcast, Robby is joined by Eirik Nordbø and Marius Kotlarz from Equinor, and Haakon Staff from mnemonic.
Together, they discuss the world of Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, exploring their origins, structure, and benefits. CTFs, as they explain, are ‘hacking’ contests featuring challenges like cryptography and reverse engineering, where participants solve tasks to uncover ‘flags’ and earn points.
The discussion highlights the educational value of CTFs, particularly in helping developers, pentesters and other IT roles to refine their skills and master advanced techniques. The group also touches on the logistical hurdles of hosting a CTF, from infrastructure setup to stress testing, and emphasises the passion and expertise required to organise a successful event. Finally, they explore how CTFs can serve as a valuable recruitment tool for identifying and attracting top security talent.
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