Serbian National Team's Performance at the European Championship in Turin
In October 2024, the Serbian National Cyber Security Team had the exceptional opportunity to represent our country at the European Cyber Security Competition (ECSC) in Turin, Italy. This annual event, supported by ENISA, brings together the best young cyber security talent from across Europe and beyond, who compete in an intense two-day Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. This year, the event was held in the famous venue Officine Grandi Riparazioni (OGR) Turin, organized by the Italian National Cyber Security Agency and the National Cyber Security Laboratory CINI.
The competition officially began on October 9th, with the first day of challenges focusing on cryptography, reverse engineering, web security, hardware security, mobile security, digital forensics, and more. Teams demonstrated their knowledge and teamwork in a classic jeopardy-style CTF format, competing in a series of complex and exciting challenges that truly tested their skills and expertise. The leaderboard fluctuated throughout the day, showcasing intense rivalry and determination from all participants.
On October 10th, the second and final day of the competition, the format shifted to an attack-defense challenge, where each team had to repair and protect their own services while attempting to compromise those of their opponents. This exciting format required not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of strategic gameplay, keeping the teams fully engaged throughout the day. The leaderboard was hidden in the final hours, adding a layer of suspense and keeping everyone on edge until the closing ceremony.
We are proud to announce that our team managed to secure 19th place in the overall rankings—a fantastic achievement considering this was only our third participation, but the first time in the official competition on this prestigious stage. Competing against 31 European teams and several invited international teams, we showed that our skills and determination could stand strong among the best.
Our team was represented by:
- Jovan Pavlovic
- Mirko Nikic
- Andrej Premovic
- Petar Pilipovic
- Lazar Mancic
- Petar Vukotic
- Aleksandar Jovanovic
- Milos Medic
- Jovan Jovanovic
ECSC is not just a competition, but also an opportunity for learning, collaboration, and community growth. Throughout the event, participants had the chance to attend inspiring interviews, learn from industry experts, and connect with peers from different countries, all sharing a passion for cybersecurity. The experience of competing on the European stage has only motivated us further, and we look forward to the next challenge with enthusiasm.
We are excited to continue our journey in 2025, when ECSC will be held in Warsaw, Poland. We are committed to building upon our experience, honing our skills, and representing Serbia with even greater confidence and ambition. The friendships formed, skills developed, and shared experience of overcoming challenges have made this journey unforgettable. The spirit of teamwork and perseverance shown by every member of our team is something we will carry with us into our next adventure.
Congratulations to Team Germany for taking first place, with Italy and Poland following in second and third, respectively. The level of talent and dedication present at ECSC 2024 was truly inspiring, and we are honored to have been a part of it.
Serbia's cybersecurity journey is just beginning, and we invite young talents to join us in preparing for future competitions. Together, we can make a mark in the world of cybersecurity and proudly represent our country on the global stage.