Study Evaluates Capture‑the‑Flag Formats for Cybersecurity Training

Global: Study Analyzes Capture‑the‑Flag Formats for Cybersecurity Education

A paper released on January 24, 2026 investigates how capture‑the‑flag (CTF) competitions can be leveraged in cybersecurity education. The study, authored by Yi Lyu, Luke Dotson, Nic Draves, and Andy Zhang, appears on the preprint server arXiv and focuses on four distinct CTF formats.

Classification of CTF Formats

The authors divide CTF events into attack‑based, defense‑based, jeopardy, and gamified/wargames categories. Each type emphasizes different skill sets, ranging from offensive exploitation to defensive hardening and puzzle‑solving challenges.

Learning Objectives Across Types

According to the analysis, attack‑based CTFs primarily target knowledge of vulnerability discovery, while defense‑based CTFs stress incident response and system hardening. Jeopardy‑style contests focus on discrete problem‑solving, and gamified/wargames aim to sustain engagement through narrative elements.

Accessibility Considerations

The paper compares the formats on accessibility, noting that jeopardy and gamified CTFs generally require lower entry barriers than attack‑or defense‑oriented events, which may need more advanced infrastructure or prior experience.

Recommendations for Educators

The authors conclude that integrating all four formats can provide a more comprehensive learning pathway, allowing participants to develop a broader cybersecurity knowledge base.

The findings aim to inform curriculum designers and instructors seeking evidence‑based approaches to incorporate CTFs into training programs.

This report is based on information from arXiv, licensed under Academic Preprint / Open Access. Based on the abstract of the research paper. Full text available via ArXiv.