Magnet Virtual Summit 2026 Capture the Flag
Hello! I’m Jessica Hyde, Founder & Owner of Hexordia and I am thrilled to announce the exciting launch of the Magnet Virtual Summit 2026 Capture the Flag (CTF), proudly sponsored by Hexordia!
It has been an absolute pleasure collaborating with our exceptional group of interns, including James Cangelosi, Cece Ehgotz, and Colin Yeager from the Champlain Digital Forensics Association and our Hexordia team, Adam Hachem and Elizabeth McPherson. Furthermore, we are delighted that multi-CTF champion Kevin Pagano has returned to join the team to construct this year’s competition.
Ready to register? Get started here.
Want to learn more about the CTF? Read on!
What is the Magnet Virtual Summit Capture the Flag contest?
This challenge is a fantastic, gamified opportunity for professional development, allowing you to rigorously test your digital forensics skills. Participants will gain access to forensic images from multiple simulated pieces of evidence, along with a diverse set of challenge questions based on the provided data.
You are welcome to use any tools you prefer to solve the questions, which are assigned point values reflecting their complexity. The challenges are thoughtfully designed to accommodate all levels of expertise, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. We are incredibly enthusiastic about the entirely new data sets and questions we are preparing, and we eagerly await your participation!
Prizes for winners
Awards will be given out to the top three winners of the competition, as well as a “First to Finish” position that will be awarded only if no perfect score is achieved by the end of the CTF.
New for the 2026 challenge
In the weeks leading up to the main event, keep a close watch on the Magnet Forensics social media channels! We will be releasing a series of intriguing cipher questions.
Successfully solving these preliminary puzzles may provide valuable insights or clues that could assist you during the main event. The points awarded for the flags will also count towards your total.
This is an excellent way to start flexing your investigative muscles early! Don’t worry, if you miss a week’s cipher, it will return during the live event to solve. They’ll be posted on the same board as the main event.
Challenge preparation workshop
For those looking to sharpen their skills and learn advanced strategies, Jessica Hyde and Kevin Pagano will be hosting a virtual workshop focused on tips and tactics for CTF success. This session is highly recommended for all registered participants.
The online preparatory session is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET
Magnet Virtual Summit Capture the Flag details
The challenge itself will be held on Thursday, February 26, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET. This online event is open to all registered attendees of the Magnet Virtual Summit.
To ensure all participants have adequate time for initial preparation, the forensic images will be distributed to all registrants on February 16. This allows for downloading, initial processing, and evidence review prior to the start of the competition. The event will be open to participants worldwide.
Ready to compete?
You can secure your spot by registering for the CTF as part of the Magnet Virtual Summit registration process. We strongly encourage you to register without delay, as the evidence images will be distributed in advance to facilitate preparation.
Additionally, make sure to follow our updates on LinkedIn, where we will share posts that may contain helpful hints or important references. Please make sure to register with Magnet Forensics as well as the CTF board itself. Your CTF account will be disqualified if you do not do this by the time of the event.
We are truly looking forward to your participation in the Magnet Virtual Summit CTF. Best of luck to all competitors!