AI4CTF × CTF4AI | 40+ Nations & Regions | Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia
27 June - 2 July 2026
In 2006, Jeannette Wing defined Computational Thinking — and an entire generation of CS education was built on it. In 2026, we step into the age of AI agents: tools that reason for themselves. The next generation skill is working with, understanding, and defending against autonomous AI. ICOA 2026 turns that transition into an Olympiad-level competition.
ICOA is a multi-year, multi-continent institution. Three editions confirmed — and the network keeps growing.
National Selection kicks off with a full resource library in 17 languages. ASRA starts remote technical support to every participating country.
40-page technical whitepaper — the first AI-native CLI operating system for K-12 cybersecurity competition. Architecture, fairness, and the post-AI agent era.
12 APR 2026 Download PDF Product109 tools. 16 languages. One terminal. Try the demo, AI4CTF, and CTF4AI — no account needed.
09 APR 2026 Live Demo StrategicICOA 2026 — dual-track AI4CTF + CTF4AI, 40+ nations, Sydney, Australia. A fully independent programme.
25 MAR 2026 Our StoryNational committees: please submit all team leader and competitor details before 6 May 2026 so ASRA can start visa acceleration on your behalf. Submissions after this date may affect attendance.
Email australia@icoa2026.au →Complete K-12 onboarding hub now live — 4-step prep ladder (Starter → Advanced → Extra → Training PDF), Paper C/B/A/S mapping, 110-tool sandbox reference, and a 164-page Training PDF. Technical support for national committees starts immediately.
Open Selection Guide →ICOA 2027 will be hosted in Chengdu, China. ICOA 2028 will be hosted in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Both host nations are confirmed. Applications for ICOA 2029 and beyond are now open to member nations — ICOA becomes a multi-year, multi-continent institution.
VIEW ROADMAP40-page technical whitepaper describing the world's first AI-native CLI operating system purpose-built for K-12 cybersecurity competition. Covers system architecture (109 tools, 16 languages), fairness-by-design, competition integrity, and the ICOA Global Training Initiative.
DOWNLOAD PDFThe CLI-Native Competition Terminal is now available as a public beta. Three demo scenarios: National Selection Exam, AI4CTF (AI as teammate), and CTF4AI (prompt injection challenge). Install with npm install -g icoa-cli
ICOA is more than a competition — it is a global mission. In an era where AI is reshaping every industry, we are building a future where every young person has the opportunity to explore the frontiers of AI security.
READ OUR STORYThe reigning BlackHat MEA CTF 2025 World Champion has joined ICOA 2026 as International Challenge Designer — rated 25/25 on CTFtime (2023) and certified by Guinness World Records as the largest CTF ever held.
Officially upgraded to ICOA — the International Cyber Olympiad in AI. A fully independent programme focused on AI security, with 40+ nations and regions accredited. Dual-track: AI4CTF + CTF4AI.
Dual-track format: Day 1 Classic CTF with AI-assisted solving, Day 2 CTF4AI — prompt injection, adversarial ML, deepfake detection, and more.
VIEW SYLLABUSHotels confirmed, practice platform live at practice.icoa2026.au, registration open, 95%+ budget locked. Observer programme now available.
READ MORESydney, Australia will host the International Cyber Olympiad in AI from June 27 to July 2, 2026.
ICOA — the International Cyber Olympiad in AI — is the world's first international olympiad dedicated to AI security for high school students.
In early 2026, AI fundamentally changed cybersecurity. AI agents now solve 90%+ of traditional CTF challenges. Claude Code Security discovered 500+ undetected vulnerabilities. OpenAI Codex Security found 10,000+ high-severity issues. The next generation needs to learn to work WITH AI and defend AGAINST AI.
ICOA's dual-track format — AI4CTF × CTF4AI — is designed for exactly this future.
"The world's first olympiad where students learn to attack, defend, and evaluate AI systems."Read Our Full Story →
Secure your team's spot at the premier cybersecurity competition
January 15 - March 19, 2026
March 20 - April 10, 2026
April 11 - May 1, 2026
All fees include
International flights and visa fees are not included.
Each country sends one team. Contact your national organization to be selected.
View participating nations & regions →No national committee in your country yet?
Apply to Become a National Organizer →Teams from around the world competing for excellence
ICOA 2026 is made possible by our generous sponsors and partners.
Join the world's best young cybersecurity talents in Sydney, 2026