Stay tuned for Season 5
This DEF CON edition of The Gauntlet changed the rules. For the first time, challengers were not called to defend an organization, but to breach one. Across this single offensive lab, they moved through four stages of a complete attack chain: reconnaissance, initial access, reverse engineering, and cryptanalysis.
Discover. Reverse. Decrypt.
Participants joined us at DEF CON and online from around the world to take on Vaultfall. After exploring the challenge at their own pace, they wrapped up the event with a live workshop where OffSec experts demonstrated techniques, shared their approach, and answered questions.
Together, they built practical offensive skills through hands-on problem solving, proving that The Gauntlet rewards learning, persistence, and adaptation.
The Gauntlet is OffSec's free, seasonal capture the flag event designed to test real-world offensive and defensive security skills under pressure.
The Gauntlet FAQ
The OffSec Legends
The OffSec Legends, inspired by OffSec's world-renowned certifications, are powerful guides who lead you through The Gauntlet.
Calculating, unyielding, fearless
Ashka
Powerful, strategic, methodical
Kali
Elusive, clever, insightful
ShadowGlyph
Perceptive, wise, observant
NightHorn
Patient, precise, persistent
Widow
Stealthy, clever, resourceful
Cipherflare
Calculating, unyielding, fearless
Nullgrim
Honorable, vigilant, stoic
KnightWarden
Swift, precise, relentless
Hornet Tracer
Commanding, tactical, adaptable
AnchorHelm