On May 4th, C4DI Northallerton based cyber security consultancy Punk Security will be celebrating their second birthday by holding a hacking competition, open to all cyber enthusiasts internationally.

There are currently almost 300 people signed up to take part worldwide.

Competitors in the CTF (Capture The Flag) will be met with a number of challenges they will need to complete to retrieve “flags” and will compete in teams or as solo entrants to win a host of prizes.

The Punk Security team is made up of a near fully remote workforce but is based out of offices at C4DI in the grade two listed former Northallerton prison building, which still has most of the original features including cell doors and even bars on the windows. As “a world-class workspace for digital and technology companies and individuals,” what location could be better for a cyber security hacking challenge?

The team will be live streaming throughout the competition, which will run throughout the night from within the prison building, as they support the remotely connected competitors.

Punk Security have a lot to celebrate. As well as their upcoming second anniversary, the company recently won the Digital Award at the 2023 Hambleton Business Awards ceremony. This was the final Hambleton Business Awards, “The last hurrah!”, as Hambleton District Council becomes a part of the new North Yorkshire Council.

Director, Simon Gurney, says “We are so excited for this. The team has been working hard to build some great challenges for this competition, with something for all abilities. We have lined up some brilliant prizes too! It feels like the perfect way to celebrate our second birthday and our recent award – hacking, birthday cake and getting our remote team together in North Yorkshire. And I’m sure it won’t be creepy at all being in the old prison through the night…”  

You can find out more about Punk Security and follow the event by going to www.punksecurity.co.uk/ctf