CSIR Seeks Innovative CTF Challenges for SANReN Cyber Security Initiative
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has officially announced its intention to procure the development of engaging and educational Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges. This initiative is aimed at bolstering the cybersecurity skills of participants in the upcoming South African National Research Network (SANReN) Cyber Security Challenge 2025/26. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was published on August 15, 2025, at 11:33 AM, marking a significant step in the CSIR’s commitment to fostering a more secure digital landscape within South Africa.
This procurement underscores the CSIR’s dedication to advancing cybersecurity capabilities across the nation, particularly through the SANReN, which serves as a vital infrastructure for research and education institutions. The CTF challenges are designed to provide a practical and immersive learning experience, enabling participants to hone their defensive and offensive cybersecurity techniques in a simulated environment.
The RFP invites experienced and creative vendors to propose innovative CTF challenges that will be both intellectually stimulating and relevant to current cybersecurity threats. These challenges are expected to cover a broad spectrum of cybersecurity domains, potentially including areas such as network security, cryptography, web exploitation, reverse engineering, and digital forensics. The objective is to create a comprehensive and engaging competition that accurately reflects real-world cybersecurity scenarios.
By investing in the development of high-quality CTF challenges, the CSIR aims to achieve several key objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enhance the practical cybersecurity skills of students, researchers, and professionals within the SANReN network and beyond. Secondly, the initiative will contribute to identifying and nurturing emerging talent in the cybersecurity field, thereby strengthening South Africa’s capacity to address cyber threats. Finally, the SANReN Cyber Security Challenge 2025/26, powered by these bespoke CTF challenges, is poised to become a cornerstone event for cybersecurity awareness and education in the country.
The CSIR, a leading scientific and technological research organization in Africa, is committed to driving innovation and development across various sectors. This RFP represents a strategic investment in human capital development within the critical area of cybersecurity, acknowledging the increasing importance of digital resilience in today’s interconnected world. Organizations with a proven track record in developing and delivering cybersecurity training or CTF platforms are encouraged to review the detailed requirements outlined in the RFP and consider submitting their proposals.
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Council for Scientific and Industrial Research published ‘RFP The Procurement of Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges for the South African National Research Network (SANReN) Cyber Security Challenge 2025/26’ at 2025-08-15 11:33. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.