Record numbers of cyber enthusiasts participated in this year's ADF Cyber Skills Challenge, held at the QT Hotel in Canberra and virtually from November 28 to December 2.
The ADF Cyber Skills Association hosted more than 1100 competitors during the event, which included two days of interactive workshops and presentations, and three days of a capture-the-flag competition.
The event brought together teams from across Defence, other Australian Government departments, industry and academia, and on-site teams from Australia's Five Eyes counterparts. Singapore, Japan, Germany and France also competed for the first time.
Head of Information Warfare Major General Susan Coyle said the Cyber Skills Challenge gave participants the opportunity to enhance their cyber skills and learn techniques.
"The nature of the Cyber Skills Challenge is perfect as it allows for remote participation, encouraging interconnectedness between geographically separate players to work together and take part in the competition," Major General Coyle said.
"It's a great opportunity to build and strengthen relationships across the cyber community and to work with our international partners to increase cyber resilience domestically and in the near region."
This year's winner was the ADF team, Terminal Rank, taking out the trophy against 152 teams. The first individual winner was Mango Man.
Chief of Joint Capabilities, Lieutenant General John Frewen congratulated Terminal Rank on its win.
"It was a very tough competition between some of the best cyber brains. It's a great achievement for our ADF team, Terminal Rank, to claim the overall win," Lieutenant General Frewen said.
"The challenge brings together competitors from all backgrounds, whether they are just starting their cyber journey or seasoned cyber operators. Significantly, it provides an opportunity for competitors to learn from and network with like-minded individuals across the cyber world.
"Each and every activity that the competitors completed in the challenge was directly related to skills, knowledge and attributes required of cyber operators conducting cyberspace operations," he said.
