PECAN+ Capture The Flag 2026 (Western Australia)

PECAN+ Capture The Flag cyber security competition (Western Australia registration page)

Register on this page to compete in Western Australia (ECU, Joondalup Campus).

Edith Cowan University and the Australian Signals Directorate, competition Sponsors and supporters invite Australian high school students in years 10-12 to compete in PECAN+ Capture The Flag 2026!

What is PECAN+ CTF?

PECAN+ is a national Capture The Flag (CTF) style cyber security competition for beginner, intermediate and advanced high school-aged students in Years 10 to 12. Compete in person to solve challenges and uncover digital flags across a range of topic areas, including: cryptography; digital forensics; OSINT; reverse engineering; steganography; web exploitation and more!

Registration includes a fun Training Day to support competitors in developing their skill in using cyber security tools, virtual machines, Linux and ethical hacking. You will have access to a cyber security tool kit for training and competing, enabled by Kasm Workspaces (Platform Sponsor).

National prizes are on offer for First, Second and Third placed Teams and top-scoring All Female Teams in each skill Division. All competitors receive a PECAN+ CTF 2026 challenge coin and merch.

Put your problem solving and teamwork to the test and learn cyber security skills in a fun and practical way.

#PECANplus2026

Competition Locations:
PECAN+ CTF is an Australia-wide competition, with locations in every State and Territory. All locations and registration links here.

Team and registration format:
Compete in Teams of up to four (4) students. Please register a TEAM and provide details for each Team member. If you are registering as an INDIVIDUAL you will be placed in a Team on the day.

Cost:
Free! Lunch provided both days.

PECAN+ CTF is made possible through the support of our National Sponsors: Australian Signals Directorate (ASD); Kasm Workspaces; Australian Information Security Association (AISA); Triskele Labs; Cyberwest Hub; WA Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Digital Government, LevelBlue.

PECAN+ is founded and led by the Edith Cowan University School of Science in collaboration with universities, TAFEs, government and the greater cyber security ecosystem around Australia. For more information see pecanplus.org.

WA Location:
Building 18, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, 270 Joondalup Dr, Joondalup WA.

Dates:
Saturday 22nd August (Training Day) and Sunday 23rd August, 2026 (Competition Day).

Times (AWST):
8.30am – 4.00pm (Training Day) and 8.00am – 3pm (Competition Day)

Cost: Free.

Event format:
Day 1, Training Day (Sat 22nd): A training day for competitors to upskill. Includes industry presentations.
Day 2, Competition Day (Sun 23rd): Set up, Competition (4 hrs) followed by National prize ceremony.

Devices:
Competitors are encouraged to bring their own laptop device (BYOD) and to compete with and use pre-installed virtual machines and cyber tools that they are familiar with. You will also be supplied with a generic toolkit (see below). University devices will be available for use by students who attend without their own device – please indicate requirement when registering. Note, if BYODing, we can not accommodate monitors/PCs - laptops only.

Platforms:
All competitors will be provided with access to a generic virtual machine of cyber tools (supplied by Kasm Workspaces, loaded with a Kali Linux instance) for Training/Competition days. Other platforms that will be used include Discord and CTFd.

Division selection: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced?
For more information on deciding which level to compete at, see the PECAN+ practice challenges page for a handy guide. Generally, we suggest:

• Beginner = No or limited experience with cyber tools to date. Looking forward to preparing and learning cyber tools in the lead up to the competition. New to CTF competitions.
• Intermediate = Have some knowledge of programming languages, cyber tools or similar and have completed CTF/cyber challenges previously.
• Advanced = Experienced with cyber tools and in tacking CTFs and cyber challenges. Have competed in CTF competitions previously.

Preparing to compete:
PECAN+ encourages competitors to take agency in developing their cyber security skills and getting competition ready! Prepare to tackle CTFs by developing familiarity with Linux and cyber tools. There are many free cyber upskilling resources available online that can be used to prepare. Attempt our PECAN+ Practice Challenges here. PECAN+ Training Days will provide workshops on a range of cyber topics. Work with your Team or school to practice, and keep an eye out for our emails and social media posts with suggestions and local opportunities for training and upskilling. #PECANplus2026

Prizes (per team member):

• 1st Place Teams: Flipper Zero w. case + merch (Advanced Division). Raspberry Pi kit + merch (Beginner/Intermediate Divisions).
• 2nd Place Teams: Duinotech Learning Kit + merch (Advanced/Intermediate Divisions). Arduino Starter Kit + merch (Beginner Division).
• 3rd Place Teams (in each Division): Lockpick kit + merch.
• Top All Female Teams (in each Division): micro:bit V2.2 Go bundle + merch – Sponsored by CyberCX.

+ prize bundle for the first team to complete the 2026 ASD Challenge.

Rules:
By registering here, you accept the offer to compete in PECAN+ CTF 2026 at the Edith Cowan University (ECU) Joondalup Campus and understand that you will be required to adhere to the rules and instructions given by ECU staff whilst on the Campus. Furthermore, you acknowledge that you are aware of ethical hacking practices and understand that there are legal ramifications for the misuse of these. You are expected to compete ethically. Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations will see you exited from the Competition.

Parent/Legal Guardian permissions:
If you are a minor you are expected to consult and gain permission from a parent/legal guardian before registering, and to provide a parent/legal guardian’s details as an emergency contact. If you are a minor, a Parent/Guardian must approve the selection of “yes” in providing permission to have your photograph taken. By selecting “yes” you are consenting that a parent/legal guardian of the Subject (competitor who is under the age of 18 years as at 23^rd August, 2025) consents to and authorises Edith Cowan University (ECU) and persons authorised through it to photograph the Subject at Edith Cowan University Joondalup Campus and to reproduce, publish and communicate the photographs in any medium for the Purpose of promoting the PECAN+ CTF competition and related cyber security and computer science outreach and engagement activity.

PECAN+ is proudly founded and led by Edith Cowan University. Support from Platinum Sponsor, the Australian Signals Directorate.