@Hack 2025: A Weekend of Cyber Innovation and Community 

On March 1 and 2, Concordia University’s downtown Montréal campus buzzed with excitement as over 800 cybersecurity enthusiasts gathered for @Hack 2025. Hosted by TECHNATION and Hexploit Alliance, this annual capture the flag challenge has solidified its place as one of Canada’s premier cybersecurity student events. 

With cyber threats evolving rapidly around the world, @Hack serves as a hands-on training ground for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Participants tackled real-world challenges in cryptography, reverse engineering, OSINT (open-source intelligence), web security, and hardware exploitation, putting their problem-solving skills to the test in a high-pressure environment. The event not only sharpened technical expertise but also connected students with industry leaders, bridging the gap between academic learning and workforce readiness, helping to strengthen Canada’s digital resilience. 

Participants competed across two tracks (beginner and regular) ensuring a fair and engaging competition for all skill levels. The Beginner Track was designed for students new to CTF-style challenges, offering a structured introduction to cybersecurity problem-solving. The Regular Track was tailored for experienced participants looking to push their limits in more advanced challenges. Each track operated independently, with its own scoreboard and set of prizes, ensuring that every team had a fair shot at showcasing their skills.

Day 1: A Cinematic Kickoff and Unyielding Determination 

To kick off the event, the @Hack team unveiled a captivating short film. The narrative followed a student trapped by an AI, only to discover the AI was their professor – a creative nod to the challenges in cybersecurity.  

By 11 a.m., teams were deep into the competition, tackling challenges that tested their skills and creativity. While initial technical hiccups arose (an almost expected twist in any hackathon), the resilience of the participants shone through. Some faced infrastructure issues and a few opted to leave, but the majority embraced these obstacles, viewing them as part of the hacking journey. Support channels on Discord kept participants connected, serving as a space for updates, memes and lighthearted conversations that added to the event’s camaraderie. 

To keep spirits high, organizers introduced side events that brought energy to the competition, including ATM machine challenges, lock-picking sessions, social media contests and a dance-off to the official @Hack theme song. These breaks added a fun twist to the intense coding atmosphere. Just when participants needed a boost, pizza arrived right on time, fueling their momentum. Some even came prepared with sleeping bags, grabbing quick rests to power through the 1.5-day challenge. 

Day 2: Final Push and Celebratory Closure 

The second day began with breakfast as teams made their final submissions before the noon deadline. The closing ceremony featured the much-anticipated final scoreboard reflecting the efforts of 69 teams, showcasing the incredible talent and determination of every participant. Awards were then presented, with winners receiving oversized Interac-branded cards, adding a touch of flair to their achievements. 

For many, the hackathon was more than just a competition – it was a test of skill, endurance, and teamwork. Shangirne Kharbanda, whose team secured third place in the Regular Track, reflected on the experience: 

« After 27+ hours of intense problem-solving, minimal sleep, and nonstop adrenaline, our team managed to secure a podium finish at one of Canada’s biggest and most competitive cybersecurity competitions. From hardware exploits to cryptography, reverse engineering, and web security, this CTF pushed us to our limits and then some.«  

Beyond the challenges, the event fostered an incredible sense of community. Participants collaborated, learned from hands-on workshops and celebrated their shared passion for cybersecurity. The weekend wrapped up with the winners taking the stage, alongside the best dance and social media challenge entries, making for a fun and memorable close to an unforgettable 1.5-day event. 

The competition saw exceptional performances across multiple tracks, with top teams showcasing their expertise in cryptography, web security, and reverse engineering. 

Regular Track Winners (Interac – Hardware Prizes) 

• 1st Place: Team HUBERT HACKIN » (Flipper Zero) 
• 2nd Place: Team Hack The PlanETS (Raspberry Pi 5) 
• 3rd Place: Team WWF (Hak5 $100 USD gift card) 

Beginner Track Winners (Interac – Hardware Prizes) 

• 1st Place: Team Jerry and The Totally Spies (Raspberry Pi 5) 
• 2nd Place: Team Bored Team (Hak5 $100 USD gift card) 
• 3rd Place: Team Shmackathon (Raspberry Pi Zero 2W Kit) 

Regular Track Winners (Monetary) – $13,000 Prize Pool 

• 1st Place: Team UofTCTF ($6,000 total | $1,500 per person) 
• 2nd Place: Team Pas UofT ($4,000 total | $1,000 per person) 
• 3rd Place: Team 3 ½ français [PolyCyber] ($3,000 total | $750 per person) 

Beginner Track Winners (Monetary) – $3,000 Prize Pool 

• 1st Place: Team flag-a ($1,200 total | $300 per person) 
• 2nd Place: Team offsETS ($1,000 total | $250 per person) 
• 3rd Place: Team Mauribec ($800 total | $200 per person) 

Additionally, in the lockpicking challenge, team SeeDragon emerged as the true #1 winner after a post-event review of results, with team l580 and team anomaliemajeure placing second and third, respectively. 

The spirit of competition remained strong and every participant demonstrated remarkable problem-solving and teamwork under pressure. 

A Collective Effort: Acknowledging Our Partners 

Events of this magnitude are made possible through collaboration. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors and partners:  

• Challenge Champion Sponsor: Interac
• Supporting Sponsors: MDA Space and Cetark
• Venue and Academic Partners: Concordia University – Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science
• Official T-Shirt Sponsor: Proper Designworks
• Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program

Their support not only provided resources but also reinforced the importance of nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.  

Reflecting on the Journey 

@Hack 2025 was more than just a competition; it was a testament to the passion, perseverance, and potential of our participants. The event underscored the critical role of cybersecurity in safeguarding our communities and the innovative spirit required to tackle emerging challenges.  

As we look ahead, we’re inspired by the dedication displayed and are committed to fostering environments where such talents can flourish. Thank you to everyone who participated, supported and believed in the vision of @Hack.  

Until next year, keep hacking and stay curious.