Ignite National Technology Fund concluded its 4th Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024 with a grand awards ceremony in Islamabad. The Chief Guest, Minister for IT & Telecom, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, presented awards to the winning teams, celebrating their exceptional skills in cybersecurity.
The Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon served a dual purpose: nurturing collaboration and knowledge-sharing on demanding cybersecurity challenges while offering hands-on workshops for national cybersecurity resources. Ignite organized comprehensive training sessions in 16 cities nationwide along with public awareness sessions and specialized workshops for government officials.
In her address, Minister for IT & Telecom Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja commended the participants and organizers, stating, “The Ministry of IT and Ignite are dedicated to identifying and nurturing cybersecurity talent to protect our national networks. Our efforts have placed Pakistan in the Top Tier-1 (Role-Modeling) category of the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI-V5) 2024, a notable improvement from its previous 79th position This advancement reflects Pakistan’s dedication to strengthening cybersecurity nationwide, particularly in the IT and telecom sectors. The Ministry of IT remains steadfast in its commitment to continued collaboration with the private sector, academia, and international partners. Together, we can strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity posture and build a resilient digital landscape.”
The awards ceremony recognized winners in two categories: Capture the Flag (CTF)/Red Teaming and Blue Teaming. CTF (Capture the Flag)/Red Teaming category included 2nd Runner up team “Sudoers” clinching cash award of PKR 0.75 Million, 1st Runner up team “Psychotherapist” winning cash award of PKR 1 Million and the Winner team “Air overflow” securing cash award of PKR 1.5 Million. The Blue Teaming category included 2nd Runner up team “Revolt” clinching cash award of PKR 0.75 Million, 1st Runner up team “M4lware” winning cash award of PKR 1 Million and the Winner team “AirOverflow” securing cash award of PKR 1.5 Million. The other awards for the winning teams include International Training Coupons of PKR 9 Million and Sponsorship for International Competitions worth PKR 18 Million.
Ignite CEO, Mr. Adeel Aijaz Shaikh, highlighted the role of the Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon in strengthening Pakistan’s cybersecurity community, stating, “Cybersecurity is crucial for our digital future. Ignite’s Digital Pakistan Cyber Security Hackathon has become a leading national platform for identifying vulnerabilities, promoting secure coding, and innovating against emerging cyber threats. We congratulate not only the winners, but every participant committed to safeguarding our digital landscape. Together, we can build a safer and more secure digital Pakistan.”
Earlier the regional hackathon qualifier rounds took place in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad, where participants competed fiercely, showcasing their talent and expertise. Notably, the top three teams from the Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2023 hackathon earned international sponsorship and represented Pakistan at the international cybersecurity competition Black Hat MEA 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia securing positions in the Top 50 out of 250 international teams — a testament to the high caliber of the nation’s cybersecurity talent.
The event brought together officials from the Ministry of IT, Ignite, cybersecurity experts, Chief Information Security Officers, industry professionals, academia, and youth passionate about cybersecurity.
