CTF Challenges – An investigation from the Content Creator’s Perspective

The cybersecurity market is growing and with this the CTF challenges in flow are increasing. However, reusage of CTF challenges is an often coming issue. A core objective of CTFs is to foster learning and skill development. Participants tackling previously encountered challenges miss out on the opportunity to solve something genuinely new and challenging. Moreover, the CTF community thrives on creativity and innovation. Repeatedly recycling content can demoralize challenge creators who strive to push the envelope with novel problems. In a broader sense, relying on reused challenges might give participants a repetitive experience that does not adequately prepare them for the evolving nature of real-world security threats.

The Role of CTF Content Creators

There is a valid argument to be made that creators of Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges should be able to continuously benefit from their work, especially if the challenges are being re-sold multiple times. Just like any form of intellectual property, CTF challenges are the result of creativity, expertise, and significant effort. Proper compensation recognizes the value of this work and incentivizes creators to develop more high-quality content. When creators know they will be compensated for each sale of a single challenge, they are likely more motivated to ensure the challenges are well-designed, tested, and free of errors.

Relation to music industry revolution

Shortly going back in the era of streaming, music piracy feels like a relic of the past. Yet, in the early 2000s, pirates revolutionized the industry by illegally distributing MP3s, depriving listeners of the need to purchase their music. Several key issues emerged during these years, reshaping how music was produced, distributed, and consumed. Launched in 2006, Spotify was one of the pioneers of streaming music. By offering personalized music recommendations based on user preferences, it hinted at what would become a dominant model in the music industry.

In its current state the CTF market offers buyers full right to own a challenge and sell it as oft as they wish. Different licensing models (e.g., one-time purchase vs. subscription or usage-based fees) could address some of these concerns while ensuring creators are still fairly compensated. Furthermore, this way creators would receive recognition for their work, potentially allowing them to build a reputation within the community. This can lead to further opportunities, such as collaborations, consulting, or being invited to create custom challenges for private entities or educational institutions.

"Capture The Flag challenges aren’t just about solving puzzles; they’re about igniting curiosity and pushing the boundaries of what you think you know."

Additional benefit from improvement in the compensation model, could be that creators who receive ongoing payments from their content may be more likely to maintain and update their challenges, ensuring that they remain relevant and valuable over time.

Adopting a fair earnings model for CTF challenge creators is thus a multifaceted improvement that supports not only individual creators but also the quality and sustainability of the CTF community as a whole. It's a recognition that the development of engaging educational content is a valuable service and should be rewarded as such.

CTF Creators Wishes

We have had the opportunity to interview several CTF creators from different parts of the world, and their sentiments were identical: a platform ensuring transparency in the sale and trade of CTF challenges would significantly benefit them. Not only would it boost their revenue, but it would also elevate their visibility within the community when they produce outstanding challenges. Many creators also emphasized that this transparency would foster trust among participants, making it easier for them to choose high-quality challenges. Additionally, such a platform could facilitate better collaboration and innovation among creators, as they would have a clear view of the market's demands. Ultimately, this could lead to the rapid evolution and enrichment of the CTF landscape, attracting more enthusiasts and driving competition to new heights. The accessibility and systematic organization of challenges could further support educational institutions and training programs that rely on CTFs for teaching cybersecurity skills.