CYBER
SECURITY
CHALLENGE
BELGIUM
Will you be the 2026 cyber security revelation?
Next Event
On-Site Finals • Mar 28, 2026 • 07:00 (Brussels)
Since 2015
About the Challenge
Belgium's largest cybersecurity competition designed to discover, inspire, and elevate the next generation of defenders.
Cyber security has become a strategic priority across every Belgian sector. With talent shortages growing, CSCBE was created to immerse students in real-world challenges, push their skills, and streamline their path into the industry.
After more than ten editions, CSCBE has become the reference event for students and young graduates who want to prove their skills, meet mentors, and earn their place on the Belgian ECSC team (the Belgian Red Daemons).
Mission
Identify and nurture cybersecurity talent across Belgium through competitive challenges.
Community
Connect with industry professionals, fellow hackers, and potential employers.
Recognition
Showcase your skills and compete for a spot in the Belgian Red Daemons team.
Impact
Contribute to building a stronger cybersecurity workforce for the future.
Flow Diagram
Competition Flow
From registration to representing Belgium at the European Cybersecurity Challenge.
Register
Apply to compete. Two eligibility groups, registrations are solo and you can register until the end of the qualifiers.
- Senior (born from January 1st, 2001, to December 31st, 2005)
- Junior (born from January 1st, 2006, to December 31st, 2011).
- Requires valid student card for academic year 2025-2026
- Open to all students regardless of age
Online Qualifiers
Remote jeopardy-style CTF, solo play. Score determines your next path.
Score Split
Scoreboards will show the top-scoring players for each ECSC category as well as a global ranking. After the qualifiers, players branch into two tracks based on their scores and eligibility.
- Top 16 Seniors advance
- Top 16 Juniors advance
- Next 25 students become captains and build their own dream teams
- A total of 25 teams (~100 people) will be created
Track Selection and Team Creation
After the online qualifiers, 32 players aged 16–25 will be invited to join the ECSC Track and represent Belgium at the European Cyber Security Challenge (16 juniors, 16 seniors). Selection is based on your rankings across specific challenge categories chosen by the organizers - top performers in each category are picked first, round by round, until all 32 slots are filled. If you're selected, you'll receive an email with a link to accept or decline. Students who decline the ECSC invitation can opt to become a FUN Track team captain instead.
Once the ECSC team is finalized, 25 FUN Track captains are selected from the top-ranking students on the global scoreboard. Each captain then picks 3 teammates in a live draft on the platform. If you're a student, even if you're not selected as a captain, you may still be picked as a teammate - so keep an eye on your inbox!
All selections happen in order: ECSC first, then captain selection, then the team draft. You'll always be notified by email when something requires your attention, and your personal status page at /cscbe/status will reflect your current situation throughout the process.
- Top 16 Seniors (<25) advance
- Top 16 Juniors (<20) advance
- Next 25 students become captains and build their own dream teams
- A total of 25 teams (~100 people) will be created
Single-Day On-site Event
Both tracks play onsite on the same challenges. Fun track wraps up with prizes; ECSC qualifiers continue toward a spot on Belgium's national team.
- Top performers compete for a spot on the Belgian Red Daemons
- Teams will be created by the organizers based on performance and skill spread
- Challenges: crypto, reverse, pwn, web, forensics, programming, hardware
- Your gateway to months of elite training and an all-expenses-paid trip to the European finals
- Teams compete for prizes: premium training courses, professional tool licenses, conference passes, and more
- Challenges: crypto, reverse, pwn, web, forensics, programming, hardware
- Expert challenges throughout the CTF
- Prize ceremony on-site at the end of the CTF; fun track ends here
ECSC Team Selection
All 32 ECSC qualifiers enter an exclusive training program led by Belgium's top cybersecurity experts. Over several months, you'll sharpen your skills alongside the country's best. The final team of 14 (5 seniors, 5 juniors, 4 backups) is then selected to represent Belgium at the European Cyber Security Challenge — all expenses paid.
Red Daemons go to the ECSC
The Belgian Red Daemons compete against 30+ national teams at the European Cyber Security Challenge — one of the most prestigious youth cybersecurity events in the world. A once-in-a-lifetime experience that opens doors across the European cybersecurity community.
10+
Editions
1000+
Participants per year
60+
Challenges per year
30+
Partner Companies
Voices from the arena
What participants say
Stories from finalists, winners, and first-time challengers.
“We didn't know each other before forming the EhBoys just for CSCBE 2020, yet we won - a good proof of what fresh teamwork and passion can do.”
Adrien D.
Service Manager
2020 Winner
“When I first participated, I had zero CTF experience. Two years later, I'd built incredible friendships, my team won a trip to DEF CON Las Vegas, and many international adventures followed. Just start - and stay consistent. It can take you farther than you expect.”
Alex V.M.
Military Officer
2023 Winner
“Participating in this CTF was a great experience. It helped me develop practical skills, meet sponsors, and demonstrate my value on my CV. Through the event, I was able to secure an internship and gain valuable industry exposure. It was both a fun and rewarding opportunity.”
Julien P.
Penetration tester
2023 Finalist
Partners & allies
Powering CSCBE together
Academic institutions, government bodies, and private innovators that invested in Belgium's next cyber defenders.
Main Sponsors
Official Sponsors
Community Partners
Prize Partners
Academic Institutions
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to decide, prepare, and compete at CSCBE.
Got questions? We have answers.
Browse through the most common topics: eligibility, timelines, preparation tips, and more. Ping us any time. Real humans are here to help.
During qualifiers, the team is also live on Discord. The invite link is available once you authenticate on our platform.
Ready to dive in?
Not sure if you have what it takes?
Try the practice arena, explore write-ups, and get a taste of the real finals pressure.