I’m thrilled to share that I recently earned 3rd place at the local CyberChallenge.IT competition held at the University of Udine. Competing in this event required both technical skill and strategic thinking, as participants tackled a series of challenges designed to simulate real-world cybersecurity problems. Securing this position also qualified me for the national competition, where I will face top student teams from 43 universities across Italy.
Preparation and Training#
The CyberChallenge.IT program provided an intensive training curriculum across several critical areas of cybersecurity. Over the weeks leading up to the competition, I focused on developing expertise in:
- Web Security – learning to identify vulnerabilities in web applications, from SQL injection to XSS attacks.
- Network Security – practicing packet analysis, intrusion detection, and securing network architectures.
- Cryptography – understanding modern encryption protocols and implementing cryptographic solutions.
- Software Security – analyzing code for vulnerabilities and understanding secure coding practices.
The combination of theoretical lessons and hands-on exercises significantly strengthened my technical foundation. Each challenge was designed to test problem-solving under pressure, simulating the fast-paced environment of real cybersecurity incidents.
Competition Day#
On the day of the competition, the atmosphere was both intense and inspiring. Participants were given a variety of tasks ranging from web application penetration tests to reverse engineering and binary exploitation. Each task required a combination of creativity, precision, and collaboration.
Working with my teammates, we divided tasks according to individual strengths, communicated constantly, and developed strategies to maximize our score. The experience taught me not only technical skills but also the importance of teamwork, time management, and adaptability under pressure.
Team and National Stage#
I am proud to compete alongside an outstanding team from the University of Udine:
- Roberto Van Eeden – Master’s in AI & Cybersecurity
- Marco Ceccon – High School Student
- Matteo Cancian – Bachelor in Computer Science
- Enrico Santi – Bachelor in Computer Science
- Martina Siderini – Bachelor in Computer Science
Together, we form a skilled and cohesive unit, prepared for the Attack-and-Defense CTF at the national competition. Each team member brought unique expertise, and our coordinated approach allowed us to tackle complex challenges efficiently.
Joining MadrHacks#
I am now part of MadrHacks, the University of Udine’s elite ethical hacking team. MadrHacks ranks 2nd in Italy and is listed among the top 50 teams worldwide.
Being part of MadrHacks provides an exceptional opportunity to:
- Collaborate with highly skilled cybersecurity enthusiasts
- Participate in national and international competitions
- Continuously improve both offensive and defensive security skills
- Contribute to research and development projects in cybersecurity
This milestone is both an honor and a motivation to keep pushing my limits in the field.
Looking Ahead#
Securing 3rd place at the local CyberChallenge.IT was just the beginning. I am excited and motivated to represent the University of Udine at the national stage, applying the lessons learned, testing my skills against top competitors, and further developing as a cybersecurity professional.
For more information on this event, visit Qui.uniud (Italian)
For more information on MadrHacks and the University of Udine’s cybersecurity initiatives, visit Madrhacks.
