WICC brings together top women cybersecurity competitors from around the world for two days of advanced technical competition, collaboration, mentoring, and international networking.

WICC 2026 is supported by organisations across cybersecurity, academia, research, and the public sector.

The Women’s International Cybersecurity Challenge (WICC) is a premier international Capture The Flag (CTF) competition designed to showcase, develop, and connect the next generation of women cybersecurity leaders.

Hosted in Dublin, Ireland in July 2026, WICC brings together elite cybersecurity competitors from around the world for advanced technical competition, mentoring, collaboration, and international networking.

WICC aims to address both the global cybersecurity skills shortage and the underrepresentation of women in technical cybersecurity roles.

The challenge creates opportunities for participants to:

• Develop advanced technical skills
• Gain international competition experience
• Build professional networks
• Collaborate across borders
• Connect with mentors and industry leaders

By investing in diverse cyber talent, WICC contributes to a stronger and more resilient global digital future.

WICC evolved from the success of the Kunoichi Cyber Games held in Tokyo, Japan.

The strong international participation and technical excellence demonstrated during the event helped inspire the creation of WICC as a standalone international competition dedicated to women in cybersecurity.

WICC is a sister event to the International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC), often described as the “World Cup” of cybersecurity for young talent.

The ICC has featured international regional teams since 2022, with previous events hosted in:

• Athens, Greece
• San Diego, California, USA
• Santiago, Chile
• Chiba, Japan
• Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Dublin, Ireland will host:

• WICC in July 2026
• ICC in 2027

The Women’s International Cybersecurity Challenge (WICC) introduces an innovative competition format designed specifically for the next generation of cybersecurity competition.

Combining advanced technical challenges with strategy, teamwork, decision-making, and real-time interaction, WICC moves beyond traditional Capture The Flag formats to create a more dynamic and engaging competitive experience.

The result is a competition that rewards not only technical excellence, but also adaptability, coordination, communication, and strategic thinking under pressure.

Competitors will face advanced challenges across a broad range of cybersecurity disciplines:

• Cryptography
• Reverse Engineering
• Digital Forensics
• Web Exploitation
• Binary Exploitation
• Hardware Security
• Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
• Miscellaneous
• Attack & Defence

Alongside the competition itself, WICC 2026 will feature workshops, discussions, networking opportunities, and community events designed to bring together participants, organisers, industry professionals, researchers, and the wider cybersecurity community.

The programme is designed to support collaboration, knowledge sharing, mentorship, and international community building throughout the event.

The WICC competition will take place across two days of live gameplay, technical challenges, and strategic competition.

Additional programme details, timings, and event information will be announced closer to the event.

WICC 2026 will take place at St. Laurence’s on TU Dublin’s Grangegorman Campus in Dublin, Ireland.

Combining historic architecture with modern facilities, the venue provides a distinctive setting for international cybersecurity competition, collaboration, workshops, and community events.

Located close to Dublin city centre, the campus will host competitors, organisers, partners, and attendees from across the global cybersecurity community throughout the event.

WICC 2026 brings together international cybersecurity communities, industry leaders, academic institutions, government organisations, and technology partners in support of the next generation of women cybersecurity talent.

Partnering with WICC provides organisations with the opportunity to support technical excellence, diversity, education, and international collaboration within the global cybersecurity ecosystem.

WICC offers partners and sponsors the opportunity to engage directly with an international cybersecurity community while supporting the development of future cyber talent.

Partnership with WICC demonstrates a commitment to:

• cybersecurity education and skills development
• diversity and inclusion in technology
• international collaboration
• innovation and technical excellence
• the future of the cybersecurity profession

Detailed sponsorship opportunities, partnership packages, and event support options are available in the official WICC 2026 Sponsorship Brochure.

WICC 2026 is supported by organisations across cybersecurity, academia, research, and the public sector.

WICC 2026 brings together elite women cybersecurity competitors representing regions from around the world.

The event is designed to foster technical excellence, collaboration, cultural exchange, and international community building through high-level cybersecurity competition.

Participating teams include:

For general enquiries, partnership opportunities, media requests, or event updates, please contact the WICC 2026 organising team.