On December 7, as part of the Hellenic University Hack 2024, the Ionian University, the NMSLab (Networks, Multimedia and Security Lab) hosted a dynamic and impactful event that highlighted the synergy between innovation, emerging technologies, and cybersecurity education. The event featured the national Capture The Flag (CTF) competition, which brought together students from across Greece. Participants formed teams, collaborated with, and honed their skills in vulnerability analysis, data decryption, and other cybersecurity challenges.
As part of the event, the NITRO 5G-IoT Cyber Range was also showcased. The event attracted students, educators, researchers, and professionals from diverse fields, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange and the exploration of advancements in technology and cybersecurity.
One of the focal points of the event was the presentation of the NITRO 5G-IoT Cyber Range, an ambitious European initiative designed to push the boundaries of cybersecurity in 5G networks and IoT ecosystems. This cutting-edge project is at the forefront of creating a secure, resilient, and adaptive infrastructure capable of addressing the unique challenges posed by next-generation networks and interconnected devices.
The live demonstrations captivated the audience, showcasing the platform's ability to simulate real-world cybersecurity challenges. Attendees observed in real-time how attacks on IoT devices or 5G network disruptions are identified and mitigated. These scenarios underscored the practical applications of NITRO, offering a glimpse into the future of secure digital infrastructures.
Beyond the technical aspects, the event highlighted the educational potential of the NITRO platform. It was evident that this initiative is not only a tool for security professionals but also a valuable resource for training the next generation of cybersecurity experts. Through hands-on experiences and realistic simulations, the platform empowers students and practitioners to build critical skills and stay ahead of emerging threats.
The NITRO project (Connected 5G-IoT Cyber Range for Training and Secure Operations), funded by the Digital Europe Programme, aims to develop a cyber range platform for training and testing the security of 5G networks and the Internet of Things (IoT). The platform will simulate advanced cyberattack scenarios, with a particular focus on adversarial AI-based attacks and their detection. The project will also implement an anonymization layer for the secure storage of trainees' data and provide capabilities for hosting Capture the Flag (CTF) and Defend the Flag competitions. Additionally, NITRO will include pilot programs in collaboration with the Hellenic Cyber Security Team (ECSC Team Greece), which actively participates in the European Cybersecurity Challenge (ECSC).
The project is technically coordinated by Assistant Professor Christoforos Ntantogian from the Department of Informatics at the Ionian University, with the participation of Professors Emmanouil Magkos and the Post Doc Dr. Stylianos Karagiannis.
Key Highlights of the NITRO Presentation
- Platform Architecture: The platform's architecture was presented, including:
- Adaptive infrastructure with virtual networks and simulated environments to replicate real-world scenarios.
- Threat detection modules leveraging Artificial Intelligence to analyze and identify security incidents in real-time.
- IoT protection mechanisms ensuring device security against malicious attacks.
- Tools supporting 5G networks, focusing on latency, bandwidth, and resilience against DDoS attacks.
- Simulation Scenarios: Students and attendees witnessed live simulations of cyberattacks. Scenarios such as IoT vulnerability exploits and 5G network disruptions were analyzed step by step.
- Educational Dimension: Demonstrations showcased how the platform can be utilized for hands-on training and realistic security testing for students, professionals, and public organizations.
Hellenic University Hack 2024
The national Capture The Flag (CTF) competition brought together students from across Greece, offering them an opportunity to enhance their cybersecurity skills.
Program and Activities
- Introduction to CTF: Participants were introduced to the basic principles and strategies of CTF competitions.
- Collaboration and Problem-Solving: Teams of up to five participants competed in challenges such as vulnerability exploitation, malware analysis, and data decryption.
- Certificates of Participation: All participants received certificates acknowledging their engagement in the competition.
Benefits for Students and Participants
- Practical Experience: Participants gained hands-on exposure to real-world security problems in a safe environment.
- Networking Opportunities: The event fostered collaboration and knowledge exchange among students, researchers, and professionals.
- Skill Enhancement: Interaction with cutting-edge tools and technologies helped participants improve their threat analysis and response capabilities.
More Information
The success of the event underscores the importance of education and collaboration in the field of cybersecurity. The NITRO 5G-IoT Cyber Range and the Hellenic University Hack are part of a broader commitment to fostering innovation and security in the digital era.
For more information on NITRO and UniHack, visit the official websites:
#NITRO5G #HellenicUniversityHack #CyberSecurity #CTF #IonianUniversity #EthicalHacking
Invitation in International Fair of Thessaloniki
