Codific’s Christmas CTF Challenge Event

Updated: 11 February, 2025

20 March, 2023

A Fun Way to Enhance Team Building

Key Takeaways:

  • CTF games offer a dynamic platform for enhancing a variety of cybersecurity skills, from cryptography to reverse engineering.
  • These games foster teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, contributing to a stronger, more cohesive work environment.
  • Codific’s “Christmas CTF Game” showcases how gamification can be used to boost employee engagement and creativity.
  • The live score system and the challenge of finding hidden flags encourage a competitive yet positive atmosphere among team members.
  •  Codific’s approach to team building reflects a commitment to innovation and a fun work culture, which can lead to improved job satisfaction and performance.

CTF Games

CTF (Capture The Flag) games are a popular way for cybersecurity professionals, students, and enthusiasts to test their skills and knowledge in the field. By identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems or applications to locate hidden flags, players can develop a range of abilities, including cryptography, network engineering, web application security, and reverse engineering.

Beyond the educational value of CTF games, they can also be an effective tool for team building activities. These games encourage communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and promotes a sense of camaraderie and trust among team members. Companies like Codific recognize the benefits of CTF games as a way to enhance teamwork and create a positive work environment.

 

Codific’s Christmas CTF Game

Codific’s “Christmas CTF Game” is an excellent example of how companies can use gamification to promote teamwork, creativity, and engagement. It was designed and developed by Alex Ashkov combined with ideas of Dr. Aram Hovsepyan. The game challenges players to find 11 flags hidden in a fake web shop application by exploiting vulnerabilities and using critical thinking skills. By providing a fun and challenging environment, Codific can motivate its employees and create a sense of healthy competition that can lead to better work outcomes.

The game was played during a company event, providing a unique opportunity for team members to bond and collaborate on a fun and engaging project outside of their normal work.
To encourage participation, Codific also implemented a live score system through a CTFd instance. This element of the game created a sense of competition and encouraged team members to fully engage in the game.

 

Teamwork makes the dream-work!
Teamwork makes the dream-work! Photo taken by Dr. Aram Hovsepyan.


Conclusion

In conclusion, Codific’s “Christmas CTF Game” demonstrates the company’s commitment to creating an innovative, creative and fun work environment. Codific was able to promote teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving and all while having healthy and fun competition.
This game is an excellent example of how companies can use creative ways to improve team building. It can also encourage their employees to think creatively all while having a rather good time.

 

Inside look of the CTF game
Inside look of the game, basic design that fulfills its’ purpose.

 

Games Available For Anyone to Use

The game is available for anyone to download and use on GitHub.

Link: https://github.com/codific/christmas-ctf-game

Additionally, there are various other CyberSecurity CTF Games that you can try out for yourself! Here’s a list:

  1. HackTheBox. HTB is a popular online platform that offers a variety of realistic CTF challenges: https://www.hackthebox.eu/
  2. TryHackMe: TryHackMe is another platform that provides CTF-style challenges with a focus on learning: https://tryhackme.com/
  3. OverTheWire: Their challenges cover different aspects of cybersecurity, including cryptography and network security. https://overthewire.org/
  4. PicoCTF: Pico is a beginner-friendly CTF platform designed for students. It covers a wide range of topics, and challenges are categorized by difficulty. https://picoctf.org/
  5. Root Me: Root Me offers a platform for learning and practicing hacking skills. It includes challenges related to web security, network security, cryptography, and more. https://www.root-me.org/
  6. VulnHub: Is a platform that hosts downloadable virtual machines (VMs) with intentionally vulnerable configurations. Users can download these VMs and practice their penetration testing skills in a safe environment. https://www.vulnhub.com/

 

Author

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Leo is a Market Analyst at Codific. He is currently doing his Bachelor's degree in International Business Management at the Geneva Business School where he is consistently top of class. Leo writes about topics ranging from patient centered care to data protection strategies.
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