Conference 2026

Capture the Flag

November 6th, 2026, from 19:00 to 23:45
La Marive, Yverdon-les-Bains

Reshaped for #BlackAlps26

Showcase your skills. Have fun. Learn & Share.

The #BlackAlps26 CTF (Capture The Flag) is an ethical hacking event. Participants solve a series of independent challenges in a Jeopardy-style format.

Challenges are divided into different categories (web, software, reverse , cryptography, etc.) with different levels (accessible to beginner, intermediate and advanced players).


It is open to all conference attendees and other players for free (registration is mandatory) – a great way to end the event with some fun and adrenaline!

It takes place at La Marive, Yverdon-les-Bains , in the main conference room, on Friday, 6. November, 2026, from 19:00 to 23:45.


Register to the CTF

The CTF AI-volution


We observe that the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly affected the spirit of CTFs.

AI-assisted players are now able to solve challenges more efficiently without human intervention. Competitions are now more about who can earn points, and use AI better than others, rather than who can understand how to solve the challenges by themselves.

To keep the event engaging, the #BlackAlps26 CTF is introducing a new format that reflects what CTFs mean to us: having fun, learning and sharing.

During the final hour, participants can share their solutions on stage.

Prizes will be awarded for the best presentations and to the authors of the best challenges.

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What is changing this year?

New

  • Write-up presentations: participants will be able to present their solutions on stage during the final hour.
  • Informal-only scoreboard: it will still track progress, but it will not determine the awards.
  • Presenter awards: prizes will be awarded to write-up presenters.
  • Challenge awards: participants will vote for special challenge prizes for categories such as most interesting, most entertaining, most unexpected, and biggest failure.

Write-up presentations process

New

  • Each participant may submit one presentation during the CTF.
  • Presentations can be fun or technical and should last 3 to 15 minutes.
  • To submit, provide a short abstract that brings evidence that you solved and understood the challenge.
  • The CTF Committee will select the write-up presentations.
  • The presentations will occur during the final hour of the CTF.

Participation and team composition


  • The participation to the Black Alps CTF is open to everyone, conference participants and externals alike.
  • The participation is free-of-charge
  • Registration is mandatory for each participant.
  • Number of participants is limited.
  • People are able to participate individually or by team. A team is limited to 8 participants. (Team registration will be done on site. We don't need the composition before.)
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Further details


Participation is only possible from our local network.

Take your own materials (laptop, Ethernet cable, etc.).

Standard CTF rules apply, details available during the CTF.

Please respect the guidelines:

  • No network scan. Stick to challenge IPs
  • No attacks on other players
  • No voluntary Denial-Of-Service of CTF infrastructure
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Location and catering


Black Alps CTF will take place in the main conference room.


La Marive
Quai de Nogent 1
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland


Drinks and food will be available free-of-charge at the Black Dinner next door to CTF room (Swiss cheese raclette, soft drinks, beer).

More information about the location and how to get there on the page “Practical”.




PARTNERS

HEIG-VD
Exoscale
YCTF