picoCTF logo
  • Get Started
  • Learn
    Resources
    Community
    Primer
  • Practice
  • Compete
    Current and Upcoming Events
    Historical Competitions
  • About
    About picoCTF
    Sponsorship
    Contact Us
  • Log In
CMU logo

picoCTF 2023 Competition

Open for Registration Feb 1

The Competition

picoCTF is the largest cybersecurity hacking competition for middle, high school, and college students. Participants 13 years and older of all skill levels are encouraged to compete. Competitors must reverse-engineer, break, hack, decrypt, and think creatively and critically to solve the challenges and capture the digital flags.

Competition prizes have eligibility requirements, but everyone is encouraged to play for fun and learning.

Register
User Guide Rules

The Important Dates

Starting now!

Sign up for an account

February 1

Register for the competition

March 14-28

Competition period

Mid April

US Middle/High School Winners Announced

Competition Categories

  • US Middle/High School Students
  • US Undergraduate University Students
  • Japan Middle/High School and Undergraduate Students
  • Africa High School and Undergraduate Students
  • All Other Players

Prize Eligibility

Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)

Form a team alone or with up to 4 other eligible US middle/high school students participants in this category

Be enrolled in a US middle or high school

Prizes and awards may have requirements. See full competition rules for details.

Prizes

1st Place

$3,000 and opportunity to visit to CMU for award ceremony *

2nd Place

$2,000 and opportunity to visit to CMU for award ceremony *

3rd Place

$1,000 and opportunity to visit to CMU for award ceremony *

Highest Scoring
all middle-school team

$550

Second-Highest Scoring
all middle-school team

$300

Third-Highest Scoring
all middle-school team

$150

* Travel restrictions permitting

Prize Eligibility

Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)

Form a team alone or with up to 4 other eligible participants in this category

Be enrolled in a US university undergraduate program

Category Prizes and awards may have requirements. See category sponsor competition rules for details.

Prizes

Competition sponsors award prizes and opportunities based on picoCTF participation.
Please see the category sponsor website for prize information and full rules.
Fortinet Logo

Fortinet

Prize Eligibility

Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)

Form a team alone or with up to 4 other eligible participants in this category

Reside in the continent of Africa, enrolled in a high school or university

Category Prizes and awards may have requirements. See category sponsor competition rules for details.

Prizes

Competition sponsors award prizes and opportunities based on picoCTF participation.
Please see the category sponsor website for prize information and full rules.
CyLab Africa

picoCTF-Africa

Prize Eligibility

Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)

Form a team alone or with up to 4 other eligible participants

Be enrolled in a Japan middle school, high school, or university

Category Prizes and awards may have requirements. See category sponsor competition rules for details.

Prizes

Competition sponsors award prizes and opportunities based on picoCTF participation.
Please see the category sponsor website for prize information and full rules.
CognitiveHack Japan logo

CognitiveHack Japan 2023

Players of all types are welcome to play for fun, learning, and bragging rights on the global scoreboard.

Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)

Form a team alone or with up to 4 other participants

picoCTF would like to thank our sponsors for providing the funds for continued development and competition awards.

CMU Logo INI Logo CyLab Logo PPP Logo
Facebook logo Twitter logo Discord logo
© Carnegie Mellon University 2025
Use of this site is governed by the Privacy Statement and Terms of Service.