Austria Cyber Security Challenge 2026
The Austria Cyber Security Challenge (ACSC), Austria’s largest cybersecurity talent competition, has officially started. Following the successful kick-off event held in Vienna on February 27, the online qualification phase is now running and will continue until May 1, 2026.
Organized by Cyber Security Austria, the ACSC is a nationwide Capture The Flag (CTF) competition designed for young talents and cybersecurity enthusiasts. Participants work on realistic, hands-on security challenges, develop practical skills, and compete with peers from across Austria. High-ranking participants may qualify for the Austrian team participating in the European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC).
The competition follows a single-player jeopardy-style format and runs entirely online. Challenges are released in two waves: the first wave became available on March 1, while the second wave will follow on April 1 at 18:00 CEST. All challenges can be solved and submitted at any time during the qualification period, meaning participants may continue working on earlier tasks right up until the final submission deadline on May 1, 2026 at 18:00 CEST. The challenge structure is organized in partial cooperation with German and Swiss counterparts.
Participants compete in three categories based on age and eligibility criteria: junior (14–20 years), senior (20–25 years), and an open category available to anyone interested in cybersecurity. Top-ranked participants in each category will be invited to the team-based finale, which will take place in Linz from September 14 to 17, 2026.
The ACSC welcomes both experienced players and newcomers. Specially marked beginner challenges help participants who are new to cybersecurity get started with approachable tasks and guided community discussion via dedicated Discord channels. Participants are reminded that discussion is allowed only for designated beginner challenges; sharing or discussing solutions for other tasks during the competition is strictly prohibited and may lead to disqualification.
Beyond the competition itself, the ACSC offers valuable opportunities to connect with the cybersecurity community, learn from experts, and gain practical experience in ethical hacking and security problem-solving. Whether you are studying IT security or simply enjoy coding, analysis, and technical challenges, the ACSC provides an excellent environment to expand your skills.
Registration is still open, and new participants can join the qualification at any time while it is running.