On November 7, 2023, Tirana witnessed a groundbreaking event in the field of cybersecurity – the Cyber Security Hackathon, organized by ICT Academy with the invaluable leadership of Atdhe Buja PhD (c). This competition was not just a mere event; it was a battleground for emerging cyber talents from different parts of Albania and Kosovo to showcase their skills in identifying vulnerabilities within a specially designed physical infrastructure set up by ICT Academy and Infocom.

The Hackathon featured a unique competitive format. It wasn’t just about individual brilliance; the event was structured to encourage team participation. A total of five groups and two individual participants battled it out to identify as many security weaknesses as possible. This setup not only tested the technical acumen of the participants but also their ability to work effectively in teams. This Hackathon, led by Atdhe Buja from the ICT Academy, not only provided a platform for upcoming talents to showcase their skills but also laid a foundation for fostering future experts in the field of cybersecurity. It was an event that combined competition with learning, strategy with execution, and individual talent with teamwork, setting a high standard for similar events in the future.

HACKATHON MAIN OBJECTIVES

• Hands-on Experience: To provide participants with hands-on experience in identifying vulnerabilities and potential security threats within an industrial environment.
• Enhance Your Skills: To enhance participants’ skills in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and incident response.
• Teamwork: To promote teamwork, collaboration, and creative problem-solving among participants.
• Raise Awareness: To raise awareness about cybersecurity challenges in the context of industrial systems and Industrial IoT (IIoT) devices.