Over 200 Participants Join the International Cybersecurity Defense Challenge 2026 at RIT Kosovo

RIT Kosovo hosted the International Cybersecurity Defense Challenge 2026 (ICDC) on February 21 at its Germia Campus in Prishtina, bringing together over 200 participants, guests, and cybersecurity professionals for one of the largest cybersecurity exercises organized in the region.

The exercise was jointly organized by Iowa State University and the Iowa National Guard in partnership with the Kosovo Security Force and University of Prishtina, with international teams participating from Kosovo and technical support provided by Iowa State University.

This year’s challenge brought together 41 teams overall, competing from multiple locations including the Iowa State University campus in the United States, the RIT Kosovo campus in Prishtina, and virtual environments. Teams included high school and university students, cybersecurity professionals, and representatives of public institutions.

International teams competing from Kosovo represented Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia, while U.S. teams participated from Iowa and several other states. Participating institutions included universities, secondary schools, and specialized academies, such as the Albanian Armed Forces Academy – Ministry of Defense of Albania, alongside representatives from the Kosovo Security Force and the Kosovo Police.

The competition scenario focused on defending the digital infrastructure of a public transportation system, reflecting real-world cybersecurity challenges. In preparation for the exercise, teams spent several weeks building and configuring their defense networks in a secure virtual environment hosted by Iowa State University.

During the event, participants entered an eight-hour defense phase, where teams defended their systems against simulated cyberattacks launched by adversarial teams, followed by a debrief and evaluation session.

The challenge provided participants with a hands-on environment that mirrors real-world cybersecurity incidents, strengthening practical skills, teamwork, and rapid response capabilities. Faculty and students involved in the exercise emphasized the value of the experience in combining technical problem-solving with international collaboration.

Hosting the competition further strengthens the role of RIT Kosovo as a regional hub for cybersecurity education, research, and international collaboration, connecting students, institutions, and security professionals across borders.

RIT Kosovo expresses its appreciation to all participating teams, partner institutions, sponsors, volunteers, and guests who contributed to the success of this year’s challenge.