Starknex, University of Adelaide, Department for Education, Edith Cowan University and the Australian Signals Directorate, competition Sponsors and supporters invite Australian high school students in years 10-12 to compete in PECAN+ Capture The Flag 2025!

What is PECAN+ CTF?

PECAN+ is a national Capture The Flag (CTF) style cyber security competition for beginner, intermediate and advanced high school students in Years 10 to 12. Compete in person to solve challenges, and uncover digital flags, in a range of topic areas including: cryptography; digital forensics; OSINT; reverse engineering; steganography; web exploitation and more.

Registration includes a fun Training Day to support competitors in developing their skill using cyber security tools, virtual machines, Linux and ethical hacking. You will have access to a cyber security tool kit for training and competing, enabled by Platform Sponsor: Kasm Workspaces.

National prizes on offer for First, Second and Third placed Teams in each skill Division, as well as prizes for the Top-scoring All Female Teams and best performing indigenous competitor, plus more!

Put your problem solving and teamwork to the test and learn cyber security skills in a fun, practical way.

#PECANplus2025

Competition Locations

PECAN+ CTF is an Australia-wide competition, with locations in every State and Territory. All locations and registration links here.

Team and registration format:

Compete in Teams of up to four (4) students. Please register a Team and provide details for each Team member. If you are registering as an Individual you will be placed in a Team on the day.

Cost: Free!

PECAN+ CTF is made possible through the support of our National Sponsors: Australian Signals Directorate (ASD); KASM Technologies; Australian Information Security Association (AISA); CyberWest Hub; Triskele Labs; the WA Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Digital Government; Proactive Labs; Trustwave; and Mantel Group.

PECAN+ is founded and led by the Edith Cowan University School of Science in collaboration with universities, TAFEs, government and the greater cyber security ecosystem around Australia. For more information see pecanplus.org.

SA location: Ingkarni Wardli, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Dates: Saturday 23rd August 2025 (Training Day) and Sunday 24th August, 2025 (Competition Day).

Times: 8:30am – 3:30pm (Training Day) and 8:30am – 3:30pm (Competition Day)

Cost: Free

Event format:

Day 1, Training Day (Sat 23rd): A training day for competitors to upskill. Includes Industry presentations.
Day 2, Competition Day (Sun 24th): Set up, Competition (4 hrs) followed by National prize ceremony.

Devices: Competitors are encouraged to bring their own device (BYOD) and to compete with and use pre-installed virtual machines and cyber tools that they are familiar with. You will also be supplied with a generic toolkit (see below). University devices will be available for use by students who attend without their own device – please indicate requirement when registering.

Platforms: All competitors will be provided with access to a generic virtual machine of cyber tools (supplied by KASM Workspaces, loaded with Kali Linux instance). Other platforms that will be used include Discord and CTFd.

Division selection: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced?

For more information on deciding which level to compete at, see the PECAN+ practice challenges page for a handy guide. Generally, we suggest:

Beginner: No or limited experience with cyber tools to date. Looking forward to preparing and learning cyber tools in the lead up to the competition. New to CTF competitions.
Intermediate: Have some knowledge of programming languages, cyber tools or similar and have completed CTF/cyber challenges previously.
Advanced: Experienced with cyber tools and in tackling CTFs and cyber challenges. Have competed in CTF competitions previously.

Preparing to compete:
PECAN+ encourages competitors to take agency in developing their cyber security skills and getting competition ready! Prepare to tackle CTFs by developing familiarity with Linux and cyber tools. There are many free cyber upskilling resources available online that can be used to prepare. Attempt our PECAN+ Practice Challenges here. PECAN+ Training Days will provide workshops on a range of cyber topics. Work with your Team or school to practice and keep an eye out for our emails and social media posts with suggestions and local opportunities for training and upskilling. #PECANplus2025

Prizes (per team member):

1st Place Teams: Flipper Zero w. case + merch (Advanced Division). Raspberry Pi kit + merch (Beginner/Intermediate Division).
2nd Place Teams (in each Division): Lockpicks + merch.
3rd Place Teams (in each Division): Duinotech Arduino Compatible UNO Starter Kit + merch.
Top All Female Teams (in each Division): micro:bit V2.2 Go bundle + merch.
Top performing Indigenous student prize: Merch

Rules:

By registering here, you accept the offer to compete in PECAN+ CTF 2025 at the University of Adelaide North Terrace Campus and understand that you will be required to adhere to the rules and instructions given by University staff whilst on the Campus. Furthermore, you acknowledge that you are aware of ethical hacking practices and understand that there are legal ramifications for the misuse of these. You are expected to compete ethically. Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations will see you exited from the Competition.

Parent/Legal Guardian permissions:
If you are a minor you are expected to consult with a parent/legal guardian before registering, and to provide a parent/legal guardian’s details as an emergency contact. If you are a minor, a Parent/Guardian must have approved the selection of “yes” in providing permission to have your photograph taken. By selecting “yes” you are consenting that a parent/legal guardian of the Subject (competing team member who is under the age of 18 years as at 23rd August, 2025) consents to and authorises University of Adelaide and persons authorised through it to photograph the Subject at University of Adelaide North Terrace Campus and to reproduce, publish and communicate the photographs in any medium for the Purpose of promoting the PECAN+ CTF competition and related cyber security and computer science outreach and engagement activity.

Contact:

Hello@starknex.com (Starknex - South Australian co-delivery partner)