The CTF
Our applied security competition (Capture The Flag) pits 70+ teams of 8 people against each other to obtain the most points by capturing flags.
Flags are secret messages hidden in security challenges across multiple disciplines. Teams compete through a web portal on a private competition network. Attacking other teams is not allowed: it's a race to the top of the leaderboard.
Past editions Event photos Write-ups CTFtime
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Theme 2026: Solarpunk
This artistic and philosophical movement stands as a counter-reaction to Cyberpunk, the dystopian literary style well-known in the hacking community. But instead of a bleak world dominated by corporations, Solarpunk casts an optimistic and inclusive outlook on the future: a world where humanity has overcome its challenges to build a sustainable future, in harmony with nature and technology.
Imagine a city of tomorrow where advanced technologies coexist with vertical gardens, solar energy powers our systems, and communities collaborate to solve problems together. It's the best of what we can accomplish as a society.
Welcome to the city of the future. Welcome to NorthSec 2026.
NorthSec Originals
Every NorthSec edition has its own narrative theme, one of the event's signature elements.
Hackacademy
A dedicated path for first-time players, with a gentler ramp-up that helps new teams get started and keep building momentum.
IPv6 Network
A private competition network built around IPv6, so every service, route, and challenge feels like part of a living infrastructure.
Complete Theme Narrative
Each year, the narrative theme carries through the challenges, badge flow, and infrastructure to shape a cohesive CTF experience.
Per-Team Infrastructure
Each team gets its own set of containers with identical resources, ensuring a fair competition for everyone.
Hardware Badge
This year's hackable electronic badge is fully integrated into the CTF. Solve badge challenges to earn points.
Physical Tracks
Hands-on challenges that require being on site: lockpicking, badge firmware tampering, RFID/smartcard attacks, kiosk escape scenarios, and hardware fault injection.
Hacker Jeopardy
During Hacker Jeopardy on Saturday night, the CTF closes for the segment. Grab a beer and watch your peers fail easy questions because of stage fright.
Prizes
Top teams are recognized at the closing ceremony with prizes and the coveted NorthSec challenge coins.
1st Place
CA$2000
2nd Place
CA$1200
3rd Place
CA$800
Best Student Team
CA$1000
Get Ready
New to CTFs? Here are resources to sharpen your skills before the competition.
Practice Platforms
RingZer0Team: NorthSec challenges from past editions.
OWASP VWAD: vulnerable web apps to practice on.
MontréHack: monthly CTF workshop in Montréal.
Learning Resources
MontréHack Resources: curated list of skill-building links.
CTF Write-ups Archive: methodologies and tools from real CTF solutions.
Discord
Our feature-rich CTF-focused Discord bot simplifies the participant experience with team coordination, staff support, and critical meme-sharing capabilities.
Join our Discord
These stats are from the 2025 edition.
165
Flags
412
Points
37
Tracks
49
Services
48
Files
32
Challenge Designers