Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Four days. Three hands-on challenges. Teams harden vulnerable systems, attack a separate target network, and investigate evidence from a simulated incident.
CyberShield is not a multiple-choice test. Teams move through purpose-built environments across four competition days. Each challenge is designed for a different defensive, offensive, or investigative objective.
HARDEN DAY
RED TEAM
INCIDENT RESPONSE
HOW THE FINAL RANKING WORKS
Your final ranking combines performance across Harden, Hack, and Hunt. Each challenge is normalized and weighted before the overall standings are calculated.
View scoring methodology ↗PRIZES FOR THE TOP FOUR TEAMS
Each of the four highest-ranked teams will receive a CyberShield Team Prize Bundle containing one 65W GaN charger, one USB-C hub, one adjustable laptop stand, and one sling bag.
The top three teams will also receive training and certification opportunities. Final details will be announced before the competition.
Explore prizes and competition details ↗
Whether you are ready to compete, still building confidence, or looking to support Ethiopia’s cyber talent, the next step should be clear.
Review the format, build a four-person team, and prepare for four connected days of competition.
Explore the competition ↗Join three virtual, two-hour bootcamps covering Harden, Hack, and Hunt before the competition begins.
See how to prepare ↗Contribute infrastructure, training, prizes, expertise, or sponsorship to strengthen the experience.
View partnership options ↗CYBERSHIELD DID NOT START IN 2026
Competition, instruction, and a larger room of participants working side by side.
The first teams, the first shared network, and the community photograph that started the story.
NEW TO CYBERSECURITY?
Each two-hour session prepares participants for one part of the competition: Harden, Pentest, and Blue Team / IR. Delivery will be online, most likely through Zoom.
14–16 SEPTEMBER 2026
PRACTITIONERS JOINING THE COMMUNITY
Brief talks and conversations will connect competitors with professionals working across cloud security, operational security, entrepreneurship, and Ethiopia’s technology ecosystem.
Senior Data Engineer at Google · Founder & CEO at Datanomics
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AWS Systems Engineer · Operational Security
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Founder and Lead Developer at Snapwre
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Founder of GundanCore Technology
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Cloud Security Architect, Microsoft
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Senior Security Engineer · ZTI Solutions
SecureLabs IT Technologies · CyberShield Organizer
Yekolo Temari · CyberShield Organizer
Featured voiceThe preliminary program is now available. Session topics, times, and participation details may change as the program is finalized. Professional affiliations identify speakers and do not necessarily indicate organizational sponsorship.
View the preliminary program ↗Partners do more than place a logo. They help make practical cybersecurity experience accessible to Ethiopian students and professionals.
Start a partnership conversation ↗THE NETWORK BEHIND CYBERSHIELD
CyberShield is organized with community, venue, and technology support that makes the hands-on experience possible.
SecureLabs IT TechnologiesEvent coordination and cybersecurity program
Organizer
ALX Addis AbabaCapstone, ALX Tech Hub · Venue host and event delivery
Organizer
Yekolo TemariChallenge development and community coordination
Cyber range platform
ImmersiveSnap Labs technology ↗
Names and logos identify each organization’s role in the event and do not imply broader endorsement.
17–20 SEPTEMBER · ADDIS ABABA
Registration is open for CyberShield Showdown 2026. Event announcements and participant updates are also available on Telegram.
Register to compete ↗ Join the Telegram channel ↗