Karachi, November 26, 2023 – The tech community buzzed with excitement as Ignite unveiled the third edition of its Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2023. This prestigious event, which has become a cornerstone for cybersecurity enthusiasts across the nation, was inaugurated in the bustling city of Karachi.
The launch event was graced by the presence of notable figures including CEO Ignite, Asim Shahryar Husain, and board members such as Engr. Prof. Dr. Bilal Ahmed Alvi and Prof. Dr. Rabia Enam. They were joined by a host of industry experts and academic professionals, all united in their commitment to fortify Pakistan’s cyber defenses.
Dr. Umar Saif, the Federal Minister for IT and telecom, underscored the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures. In his message, he lauded the ongoing initiatives aimed at cultivating a pool of talented individuals capable of countering cyber threats. He also shed light on the progress made towards the operational readiness of Pakistan’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the establishment of a Cyber Security Authority.
Asim Shahryar Husain shared insights into the pre-hackathon preparations, revealing that Ignite had conducted a series of five-day intensive training workshops across ten cities. These workshops, designed to accommodate 100 participants each, saw an overwhelming turnout of 1576 trainees, far exceeding expectations. The curriculum covered a wide array of topics, from security fundamentals to incident response, ensuring a well-rounded education for the participants.
The event also celebrated the international achievements of previous hackathon teams. Griffyns, Sudoers, and Airoverflow, who had represented Pakistan at the “Black Hat MEA” in Riyadh, earned top spots among global competitors. Their success story included Airoverflow’s impressive feat of cracking a Linux Docker in under five minutes, showcasing the high caliber of Pakistani talent on the world stage.
Following the opening ceremony, the hackathon kicked off with a quiz competition using Menti’s platform, where teams from FAST and NUST universities emerged victorious. The competitive spirit continued with a 10-hour hackathon comprising blue teaming exercises and a capture-the-flag style contest. Teams Revolt, M4Lware, and Sigma4 clinched the top three positions.
The Karachi event is just the beginning, with regional rounds scheduled in Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad. The grand finale, set to take place in Islamabad by the end of December, promises a prize pool of Rs. 3 million for the winning teams.
Engr. Prof. Dr. Bilal Alvi, in his closing remarks, praised Ignite for elevating the Digital Pakistan Cyber Security Hackathon to a national brand. He emphasized its role in fostering a culture of security awareness and innovation, crucial for combating the evolving cyber threats facing Pakistan.
