In early December 2025, I had the privilege of traveling to Canberra to participate in the ADF Cyber Skills Challenge, an invitation-only capstone event and Capture the Flag (CTF) competition hosted by the Australian Defence Force.
Held from the 1st to the 5th of December, the event was a massive convergence of top-tier cyber talent. It brought together a diverse group of participants representing the ADF, the Australian Public Service (APS), industry leaders, government agencies, academia, and various international partners. Being surrounded by such a high caliber of professionals made the environment incredibly competitive and deeply collaborative.
Caption: Competing on-site at the 2025 ADF Cyber Skills Challenge in Canberra. View the full event album on the Defence Images gallery.
The Competition
The challenge itself was an intense, multi-day CTF designed to test the limits of our defensive, offensive, and analytical capabilities. It required rapid problem-solving, teamwork, and the ability to apply real-world cybersecurity tactics under pressure.
I was fortunate to compete in person alongside a fantastic team representing the NSW Police Force. Over the course of the three days, we tackled a wide array of complex scenarios, communicating constantly and dividing tasks to maximise our collective strengths.
The Result
After a grueling but highly rewarding week, our team secured an impressive 9th-place finish.
Placing in the top ten among such a prestigious and skilled field of competitors is an achievement we are incredibly proud of. It was a brilliant opportunity to stress-test our skills, learn from some of the best minds in the industry, and build connections within the wider cybersecurity community.