Key Facts:
- Team Europe has won the ICC for the fifth consecutive year, reinforcing Europe's leadership in developing the next generation of cybersecurity talent and teamwork.
- EU–Australia cooperation on cybersecurity and emerging threats is a priority under the new EU–Australia Security and Defence Partnership.
- Cybersecurity is now central to global resilience and democratic security, with initiatives like the ICC helping build trusted internaitonal partnerships and practical skills.
Team Europe has won the International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC) for the fifth time, which took place on the Gold Coast from 19-20 May 2026.
Often described as the 'World Cyber Cup', the annual international competition brought together seven teams from Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, and the United States, representing more than 65 countries.
Through the real-world simulations of a "Capture the Flag" competition, the ICC tests and develops the next generation of cybersecurity experts. After a two-day competition, the winner was announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday evening (20 May. ICC also features an Attack and Defence competition, where players are requested to defend vulnerable services through patching while exploiting vulnerabilities of other teams and eventually steal flags.
Team Europe is coached and coordinated through the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) - the EU's agency dedicated to achieving a high common level of cybersecurity across Europe. Team Europe's participation is also supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and the EU Delegation to Australia.
The ICC is designed not only as a competition, but as a platform to raise awareness, build skills and foster international cooperation. Through talent and teamwork, Team Europe has won the ICC competition for five consecutive years, showcasing the world's top young cyber talent and preparation skills, and remains undefeated in the competition.
ENISA Executive Director, Juhan Lepassaar, said: "The unfailing success of Team Europe gives us hope for the future. Indeed, our cybersecurity resilience can only grow if we plant the right cybersecurity mind-set today. Providing our young talents with both incentives as well as tough problems is key to the development of the workforce of the future."
EU Ambassador to Australia, Gabriele Visentin, said: "Cybersecurity is a core pillar of our shared security and of the new EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership. As global threats evolve, cooperation between like-minded partners is increasingly essential to protect and strengthen the resilience and security of the functioning of our democracies. Through participation in practical, accessible activities like the ICC, the European Union is strengthening ties, supporting young talent, and deepening partnerships with Australia and across the Indo-Pacific. Cyberattacks know no borders, and all layers of a digital society can be impacted."
ECCC Executive Director, Luca Tagliaretti said: "The victory of Team Europe showed us that great results can be achieved when working together. The strength of our team lies in the exceptional talent of our players, their commitment but most of all in their ability to complement each other and be together as one.
The ICC event takes place just weeks after the European Union and Australia signed a landmark Security and Defence Partnership, strengthening cooperation on cyber security, maritime security, emerging technologies and countering hybrid threats. This week, the first high level EU-Australia Security and Defence Dialogue took place in Canberra.
This new agreement establishes a structured framework for deeper coordination between the EU and Australia, reflecting their shared commitment to peace, security and a rules-based international order in an increasingly complex global environment.
The next International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC 2027) will return the competition to Europe for the first time since it was first held in Athens, Greece in 2022. The ICC will take place in October 2027 in Ireland.
