What to prepare
Prepare a working project, its editable source or project files, a report and a demonstration video. Identify external resources and your own contribution clearly.
Sub-Category
Cybersecurity Projects
SW04 · Software, AI & Simulation
Make the digital world safer by developing data security, encryption algorithms, network security and digital security solutions.
What happens in this category?
Understand a risk. Demonstrate a defence.
Investigate a digital security problem and create a way to prevent, detect, explain or respond to it. Projects can explore areas such as protecting information, secure communication, network defence or digital forensics within a clearly defined and authorised setting.
Your team demonstrates the solution in a controlled test environment and explains what the evidence shows. The jury should be able to understand the risk, follow your approach and see how you checked whether the protection works.
A good entry explains its limitations as clearly as its strengths. Evaluation considers security, implementation, practical value and documentation. All testing must stay within the permissions and safety requirements in the official rulebook; real systems are not a competition test ground.
FOCUS AREAS
Project Focus Areas
Network Security
Firewall design, penetration testing, traffic analysis and implementation of network security protocols.
Cryptography & Encryption
Developing modern encryption algorithms, key management and secure communication protocols.
Ethical Hacking
Vulnerability detection, weakness analysis and responsible security research principles.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Make the digital world a safer place
Participants develop innovative solutions for real-world security problems. Encryption tools, security scanners or secure authentication systems are all within scope.
Projects are expected to follow ethical hacking principles, demonstrate technical depth and offer practical solutions.
From preparation to competition
Use this guide to understand the experience. Read the official rulebook for the complete entry and technical requirements.
On competition day
Run the project live, demonstrate its main functions and answer questions about your choices. Be ready to explain tests, errors and improvements in your own words.
What the jury looks for
Assessment follows the category rubric and your registered level. A working, well-understood solution matters more than feature count or unnecessary complexity.
Levels 01–07 • Live demonstration • Maximum 100 points
Report: maximum 10 pages. Video: maximum 3 minutes. Include an architecture or protocol diagram, source code and setup instructions where applicable, and a controlled demonstration in an authorised test environment.
| Evaluation criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Security & Robustness | 30 |
| Technical Complexity | 25 |
| Practicality | 25 |
| Documentation & Demonstration | 20 |
Project Presentation Area
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT
Competition Rules & Guidelines
Review the official competition rules, evaluation criteria, project requirements and submission guidelines before preparing your project.
Participation implies acceptance of the official rulebook. All teams, mentors, and students are expected to read, understand, and comply with the rules.