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688th Cyberspace Wing Wins World Wide Technology's Cyber Range Challenge

The 688th Cyberspace Wing won its recent Cyber Range capture the flag (CTF) competition against reputable global financial institutions, technology companies and academia, receiving one of the highest scores of all time. Known for its rigorous cybersecurity scenarios, the CTF competition saw teams from across the globe compete to neutralize a emulated ransomware attack.

UPDATE - New Cyber Range Record Set by 688th Cyberspace Wing Team

688th Cyberspace Wing Team Wins First Place in Haystack Cybersecurity Competition, Sets New Record
September 26, 2024

The 33d Cyberspace Operations Squadron (AFIN SOC) team, part of the 688th Cyberspace Wing, has secured the top spot in the latest Haystack Cybersecurity Competition with a score of 405 points but has also made history by finishing faster than any team that has ever competed in a World Wide Technology (WWT) Capture the Flag (CTF) event. This achievement underscores their unparalleled skill and speed in the highly competitive field of cybersecurity.

 "We formed the team about a week before the event, and as a Security Operations Center (SOC), this is what I'd consider to be our bread and butter,"  said Tech Sgt. Cameron Davis, 33d Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 688th Cyberspace Wing. "Incident response, having strange queries or strange results, and working through large amounts of data; these are things that we are very used to working with." 

AFIN SOC team including (from left to right) Shannon Tamayo, James Gore, Staff Sgt. Zackary Ingram, and Tech Sgt. Cameron Davis pose for a team photo after winning the 2024 Haystack Cybersecurity Competition. Photo credit to Kyle Burns.

The competition, which saw participation from 19 teams, challenged contestants in various aspects of cybersecurity, including password cracking, network exploitation, and threat hunting. The AFIN SOC team demonstrated proficiency across these domains, ultimately finishing in 1st place.

"We are on a no-fail mission to keep the Air Force Information Network (AFIN) resilient and ready for warfighting, and we know the importance of readying our airmen amidst the ongoing Great Power Competition," said Col. Joshua Rockhill, Commander of the 688th Cyberspace Wing, 16th Air Force. "Events like this not only keep us engaged in the cyber community, but also demonstrate how our teams work together to tackle challenges across the cyber domain."

Team AFIN SOC's victory was not only marked by their high score but also by their unprecedented speed, earning them the distinction of being the "First to Finish" among the teams. Their completion time set a new record, making them the fastest team ever to finish a WWT CTF event, further highlighting their efficiency and expertise in tackling complex cybersecurity challenges.

Cyber Range team performance readout from the Haystack Cybersecurity Competition.

 

"The AFIN SOC completed the CTF at an unprecedented pace, surpassing teams from global finance, telecommunications, and academic sectors. Since WWT began hosting CTFs in 2021, no team has tackled a Blue-focused challenge faster than AFIN SOC. This remarkable achievement highlights their exceptional training and collaboration," said Leah Salzman, Product Manager, Cyber Range at World Wide Technology.

The competition's scoreboard reflects the fierce battle among the top teams, with the top five finishing within just ten points of each other. AFIN SOC's consistent performance and strategic approach set them apart in this tightly contested event.

This win is a testament to 688th Cyberspace Wing's commitment to readying airmen through knowledge and practical skills, and demonstrating expertise cybersecurity, making them a formidable force in the industry. Their success in the Haystack Cybersecurity Competition not only reinforces their position as leaders in the field but also sets a new benchmark for future competitions.

688th Cyberspace Wing Wins World Wide Technology's Cyber Range Challenge
April 10, 2024

The competition, named Disarm Me CTF: Hack, Decrypt, Disable, placed participants in a mixed scenario where they were tasked with infiltrating a hostile network harboring stolen data. Teams were tasked with locating and deploying a release code that would retrieve the stolen information and dismantle the ransomware threat.

"Congratulations to the 688th Cyberspace Wing for successfully navigating the complex competition," said Robin Elias, Area Vice President, United States Air Force, United States Space Force, and Defense Agencies Sales at World Wide Technology. "Their unique victory underscores our nation's exceptional expertise in ethical hacking techniques, emerging cybersecurity technologies, and ability to think strategically under pressure. WWT is proud to host CTF competitions to help promote cybersecurity excellence – which is exactly what we saw from the 688 CW."

As ransomware attacks continue to increase in volume and sophistication, competitions like those hosted by WWT's Cyber Range are critical to keeping those on the front lines trained in emerging technologies and tactics. The 688th Cyberspace Wing's success in this competition demonstrates the crucial role cybersecurity professionals play in bolstering national security and safeguarding our nation's most sensitive data.

"We are incredibly proud of our Tigers' accomplishment," said Col. Joshua Rockhill, Commander of the 688th Cyberspace Wing. "This competition provided a valuable opportunity to test our skills against some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity and highlighted our commitment as the Air Force's most trusted Wing by readying our Airmen for various threats across the cyber domain."

WWT's Cyber Range helps public sector organizations fortify their cyber defense through rigorous testing and hands-on skills training opportunities. Each month, it offers community CTF competitions designed to help cybersecurity professionals test their skills against the latest cybersecurity technology.