The CHAØS Team, ISEP’s first Capture The Flag (CTF) team, achieved an outstanding result in its debut competition by securing 8th place out of more than 300 teams at upCTF 2026, organized by the University of Porto.
This result marks a significant milestone for the team, especially considering it was their first-ever participation in a CTF event. Competing over an intense 48-hour period, the team tackled a wide range of cybersecurity challenges, including web exploitation, cryptography, reverse engineering, digital forensics, and binary exploitation.
Capture The Flag competitions are widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to develop practical skills in cybersecurity. Participants are required to solve real-world inspired challenges under time pressure, encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and technical creativity.
The CHAØS Team was recently founded with the goal of bringing together students interested in cybersecurity and creating a collaborative environment focused on hands-on learning. The initiative was inspired by similar teams from other universities, particularly at the European level, highlighting the importance of such groups in academic and professional development.
This achievement not only reflects the technical capabilities of the students involved but also demonstrates their ability to collaborate effectively and persevere through complex challenges.
The team’s strong debut sets a promising foundation for future competitions, with the ambition to continue representing ISEP at both national and international levels.
