@Hack 2026 Recap: A Weekend of Innovation, Intensity and Cybersecurity Talent
@Hack 2026, hosted by TECHNATION and Hexploit Alliance, brought together some of the brightest emerging cybersecurity talent from across Canada for an immersive weekend of learning, collaboration, and competition.
Held on March 7-8, participants competed in a Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition, solving technical challenges across areas such as cryptography, web security, reverse engineering, hardware, and physical security. Over the course of approximately 25 hours of continuous hacking, teams worked through the night to solve complex problems and climb the leaderboard.
With over 400 participants, supported by 12 team members from TECHNATION and Hexploit Alliance, 22 challenge designers, and 45 volunteers, @Hack 2026 showcased the scale and dedication behind this year’s event.
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A Competition That Came Down to the Wire
One of the most memorable moments of @Hack 2026 unfolded in the final minutes of the competition.
In an intense and rare finish, the top two teams were tied at 6420 points, each with only one challenge remaining. With the scoreboard hidden during the final hour to heighten suspense, neither team knew how close the race truly was.
The winning team ultimately secured their final flag just 3 minutes and 39 seconds ahead of the runner-up, an incredibly tight margin that defined this year’s competition.
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Celebrating This Year’s Winners
This year’s competition highlighted exceptional talent at the event:
Beginner Track
• 🥉 3rd place: WhatTheHack ($800 per team)
Sharifa Akter | Omer Sayem | Jongmin Lee | Oliver Massaad
• 🥈 2nd place: rm –rf ($1,000 per team)
Fabio Castro | Jiashao Luo | Tariq Menla | Felix Egan
• 🏆 1st place: TIMO ($1,200 per team)
Tala Khraim | Mohammad Ismail | Mohammed AlNabulsi | Omar Morsi
Advanced Track
• 🥉 3rd place: PolyMaisPasPoly ($3,000 per team)
Olivier Ouellette | William Bendwell | Hiba Chaarani | Juan Carlos Merida Cortes
• 🥈 2nd place: Cyber Engineering McGill ($4,000 per team)
Yun Zhao | Kalan Liono | Joonhyun Chang | Yangxiang Liono
• 🏆 1st place: UofTCTF ($6,000 per team)
Ahtesham Ulhaq | William Khem-Marquez | Edward Liono Lie | Tom Philip
We also recognize outstanding performances across specialty challenges, including lockpicking, where top competitors demonstrated hands-on technical precision and problem-solving under pressure.
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Challenges Designed for Real-World Impact
The challenges, developed in collaboration with industry partners and contributors such as the IEEE Concordia student club, were designed to reflect real-world cybersecurity scenarios.
From financial security concepts explored through the Interac challenge to hardware-based exercises and physical challenges, participants were encouraged to think critically, adapt quickly, and apply their skills in practical contexts.
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Insights from the Community
Participant reflections highlighted both the intensity and impact of the experience:
“This was my first Capture The Flag (CTF) competition, and it was an incredible experience. What I appreciated most about the experience was the learning. It helped me understand where my strengths are and which areas I want to improve in cybersecurity. It was great meeting people from the security community and building new connections with others who share the same interest in cybersecurity.” – Hariharan Duraisingh
“What a weekend. Just got back from the AtHackCTF #AtHack2026 hackathon. We spent the whole event racing through capture-the-flag challenges, breaking things apart, digging for clues, and thinking on our feet. There’s something about a fast-paced, high-stakes environment that just sharpens you. You learn more in a few hours than you sometimes do in weeks. – Mugisha Samuel Rugomwa
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A Message on the Purpose of Cybersecurity
During the closing ceremony, Dr. Aiman Hanna reflected on the broader purpose behind cybersecurity and innovation.
Referencing the origins of modern computing, he highlighted the moment in 1969 when the first message was transmitted over ARPANET, marking the beginning of a connected digital world. From early research led by pioneers such as Professor Leonard Kleinrock, to today’s complex cyber landscape, the message was clear: technology continues to evolve, and so must the people who protect it.
His closing remarks emphasized the importance of continuous learning, curiosity, and responsibility in shaping the future of cybersecurity.
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Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors
@Hack 2026 would not have been possible without the support of our partners and sponsors.
We extend our sincere thanks to:
Get Involved
Interested in future student innovation challenges? Visit TECHNATION’s Career Ready page for upcoming events, innovation opportunities, and ways to get involved.
If you are looking to build a student challenge around your business needs, contact Tim Sidock at tsidock@technationcanada.ca
