What is picoCTF?

picoCTF is a free computer security education program with original content built on a capture-the-flag framework created by security and privacy experts at Carnegie Mellon University.
Gain access to a safe and unique hands on experience where participants must reverse engineer, break, hack, decrypt, and think creatively and critically to solve the challenges and capture the flags.
Sign up now and explore picoCTF's year-round noncompetitive features where you can build skills in the picoGym and read about cybersecurity terminology and principles with the picoPrimer.
Through picoCTF, learners can:
Learn
Gain knowledge about introductory through advanced level cybersecurity principles in our noncompetitive features the picoGym and the picoPrimer.
Practice
Build your CTF skills, help yourself advance your personal best score, and prepare for the big show using our mini Competitions to practice.
Compete
Join the world’s largest free hacking competition where you can compete for cash prizes, specialty awards, and a chance to visit Carnegie Mellon University.
Visualize
See yourself in a career in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity skills are in high demand in the workforce and the need grows as computers continue to be an integral part of everyday life.
Through picoCTF, teachers can:
Facilitate
Monitor student or group progress when using the Classroom feature. Get real-time analytics on your team’s progress including the timestamp of the last challenge solved.
Play
Don’t be afraid to join in the fun and play at your own pace to test your cybersecurity knowledge or learn a new skill. The cyber security topics in picoCTF include introductory level concepts progressing to mastery level.