Team Europe Wins Fifth International Cybersecurity Challenge

The ICC was held in Brisbane, Australia, with seven teams from Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and North America, representing over 60 countries. Team Europe took first place, Team USA second, Team Oceania third. The competition featured Jeopardy-style puzzles (cryptography, reverse engineering, forensics, web exploitation) and modern challenges (cloud, AI, OT, IoT) with an Attack-and-Defense round.

5th consecutive victory for Team Europe, the still undefeated EU Champions of the International Cybersecurity Challenge

Henna Virkkunen (European Commission) said the win shows Europe’s strategic depth in cybersecurity and the value of expertise. Gabriele Visentin (EU Ambassador to Australia) highlighted the event’s role in reinforcing EU-Australia security ties and borderless nature of cyber threats. Juhan Lepassaar (ENISA) noted nurturing talent is essential for future resilience. Luca Tagliaretti (ECCC) emphasized teamwork and complementary skills as key to success.

5th consecutive victory for Team Europe, the still undefeated EU Champions of the International Cybersecurity Challenge

Repeated victories underline a pipeline of cyber talent supporting EU security objectives and international cooperation, especially with partners like Australia.

5th consecutive victory for Team Europe, the still undefeated EU Champions of the International Cybersecurity Challenge

ENISA, the ECCC and the European Commission will support the Woman International Cybersecurity Challenge (WICC) in Dublin this summer, aiming to promote female participation and sector diversity.

5th consecutive victory for Team Europe, the still undefeated EU Champions of the International Cybersecurity Challenge

• “Once again, Team Europe won the International Cybersecurity Challenge against the world’s best young cyber talents! This fifth consecutive title is not just a competition result – it is a signal of Europe’s strategic depth in cybersecurity. At a time when cybersecurity is evolving at machine-speed, having such talented [human] cyber expertise is a strategic asset for the future of our cybersecurity.” — Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

5th consecutive victory for Team Europe, the still undefeated EU Champions of the International Cybersecurity Challenge

• “Cybersecurity is a core pillar of our shared security and as global threats evolve, cooperation between like-minded partners is increasingly essential to protect and strengthen the resilience and security of the functioning of our democracies. Through participation in practical, accessible activities like the ICC, the European Union is strengthening ties, supporting young talent, and deepening partnerships with Australia and across the Indo-Pacific. Cyberattacks know no borders, and all layers of a digital society can be impacted.” — Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia

5th consecutive victory for Team Europe, the still undefeated EU Champions of the International Cybersecurity Challenge

• “The unfailing success of Team Europe gives us hope for the future. Indeed, our cybersecurity resilience can only grow if we plant the right cybersecurity mind-set today. Providing our young talents with both incentives as well as tough problems is key to the development of the workforce of the future.” — Juhan Lepassaar, ENISA Executive Director

5th consecutive victory for Team Europe, the still undefeated EU Champions of the International Cybersecurity Challenge

• “The strength of our team lies in the exceptional talent of our players, their commitment but most of all in their ability to complement each other and be together as one.” — Luca Tagliaretti, ECCC Executive Director

5th consecutive victory for Team Europe, the still undefeated EU Champions of the International Cybersecurity Challenge