Italy gets onto the highest step of the podium of this 2025 edition of the ECSC, followed by Denmark second and Germany in third place.
The 11th edition of the European Cybersecurity Challenge (ECSC) took place from 6 to 9 October 2025 in Warsaw, Poland. A total of 39 teams joined the challenge. They represented EU Member States, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and EU candidate countries, together with international guest teams. Additional delegations also joined as observers to join the competition in the future. It was opened by the deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland and Minister of Digital Affairs, Mr. Krzysztof Gawkowski and Director of NASK, Mr. Radosław Nielek.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski stated “Cybersecurity is now a pillar of state and citizen safety. These competitions are, of course, a game, but one of great importance – because we live in a time of hybrid warfare, in which cyberattacks are just as dangerous as those carried out in the real world. Every day, NASK and other Polish institutions prevent thousands of attempted attacks, defending citizens from real threats. The European Cyber Security Challenge is not only a test of knowledge and skills, but also a place where the future elite of European experts is shaped. I am proud that Polish teams have been among the leaders for years and always demonstrate the talent and world-class level of our competitors.”
The Director of NASK, Radosław Nielek declared “I am glad that this year we were not only able to follow, but also – as NASK – organise the competition between the best teams from all over Europe and guests from around the world. I watched the results change every minute, with one team or another taking the lead. This shows how close the competition was and that the absolute best were fighting it out here. These competitors are the future of European cybersecurity. I am convinced that we will have many opportunities to work together in the future. Events like the ECSC are not only about rivalry, but also a unique opportunity to get to know each other and build contacts for the future.”
The EU Agency for Cybersecurity Executive Director, Juhan Lepassaar stated that “The European Cybersecurity Challenge is a unique opportunity for our young European talents. The event is the place for them to put their digital skills to the test while challenging their ability to think critically, solve problems, exert their creativity and collaborate with others. Such competences are also key to communicate effectively while under pressure to achieve common goals in an effective, life-like manner. The European Cybersecurity Challenge therefore remains a comprehensive learning tool to develop the workforce needed in Europe and anticipate the demands for cybersecurity expertise jobs.”
The Executive Director of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, Luca Tagliaretti, emphasised that “The European Cybersecurity Challenge is more than a competition - it is an opportunity for Europe’s next generation of cybersecurity experts to connect, learn and grow. The Challenge promotes shared values: trust, responsibility, the spirit of cooperation in diversity, the very same principles needed to strengthen and secure Europe’s digital future. This unique platform allows participants not only to sharpen their technical skills, but also build friendships, teamwork, and a strong sense of purpose. By supporting young cybersecurity talent today, we’re securing a safer digital future for everyone."
This year’s event was hosted by NASK (Poland’s National Research Institute) with the support of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA).
The European Cybersecurity Challenge (ECSC) is an ENISA flagship initiative aiming at cultivating cybersecurity expertise by bringing together the top cybersecurity talents of Europe. Participants are offered the opportunity to collaboratively work along cybersecurity experts, advance their knowledge and skills, as well as get in touch with leading organisations in the field.
All the awards were announced by NASK Director Radoslaw Nielek, together with Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Digital Affairs, to team Italy for the 1st place, joined by Evangelos Ouzounis, ENISA’s Head of the Capacity Building Unit to team Denmark for the 2nd place and along with Josef Pichlmayr from the ECSC executive committee to team Germany for the 3rd place.
- 1st place: Italy
- 2nd place: Denmark
- 3rd place: Germany
The ECSC featured a wide range of Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges across two competition days. Day 1 followed a Jeopardy-style format, while day 2 was dedicated to an Attack/Defense scenario. Challenges covered hardware security, web and mobile security, cryptography, reverse engineering, binary exploitation, and forensics. Yet, possessing technical skills alone was not enough: participants had to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment, where swift and effective team-based decision-making was crucial.
Following the competition, a Female+ Bootcamp is organised at NASK’s premises in Warsaw on 10–11 October for female participants from the national teams. The purpose of the bootcamp is to highlight diversity and attract more women into cybersecurity. The initiative provided technical training, mentoring sessions, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen skills and build confidence. As a direct outcome, a Female Team Europe will be formed, which is expected to represent Europe at an international female cybersecurity competition in Dublin, Ireland in 2026.
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