Global Collaboration Defines Indonesia’s Success at Cybersecurity Competition

RRI.CO.ID, Bali – Indonesia’s achievement at the Country to Country Capture the Flag (C2C-CTF) 2026 held in Bali from August 10–14, 2026, was not just about winning. It was also about proving the value of collaboration across borders in tackling real-world cyber threats.

Managing Director of Spentera Group, Royke L. Tobing, emphasized that the victory of Indonesian talent in the international competition showed their ability to compete at the highest level.

“This is not an easy competition. To reach the final alone, they had to surpass hundreds of participants, and in the last stage they had to work with people from different countries, languages, universities, and skill sets,” he said in a press release on Friday, August 21, as quoted by Antara.

He stressed that the true value of the competition lies in the experience and skills gained. “Prize money is certainly a source of pride, but what is far more valuable is the proof of ability. They were placed in situations demanding quick thinking, precision, problem-solving, and teamwork under pressure,” Royke explained.

Participants faced simulations of real-world digital security challenges, from identifying system vulnerabilities to devising defenses against potential attacks. Royke noted that such competitions are crucial for preparing talent to confront cyber threats that transcend borders.

“Cyberattacks can come from anywhere, and their impact can cross nations. That’s why those on the frontlines of digital security cannot rely solely on technical skills. They must be able to work with anyone, grasp problems quickly, and make the right decisions,” he said.

The competition, held under the International Cyber Security – Center of Excellence (INCS-CoE), was hosted by University of Indonesia (UI) with Udayana University as local partner. Hacktrace, part of Spentera Group, provided Hacktrace Ranges--virtual labs simulating attack and defense scenarios--used by more than 10,000 users worldwide.

C2C-CTF 2026 drew 710 registrants, with 100 finalists from 15 countries placed into multinational teams of five. Indonesian representatives Jacinta Syilloam (ITSN) and Bambang Priyanto (Binus University) were part of the winning team, which received USD 4,000.

Looking ahead, Royke hopes Indonesia’s success will serve as momentum to expand opportunities for young cybersecurity talent. “We have outstanding young people. The next task is to ensure they have arenas to train, compete, make mistakes, and then learn to become even better,” he concluded. ***