Hack The Box and Bugcrowd join forces to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap

With a global shortage of over 4 million cybersecurity professionals, the cybersecurity industry is under immense pressure to keep up with emerging technologies and evolving threats. The next generation of cybersecurity experts holds the key to reversing this trend. 

In our recent study

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Students can engage in real-world cyber challenges that enhance their skills in real-time. More importantly, they can benchmark their skills against peers, identify gaps, pinpoint areas for improvement, and set performance goals to excel in their careers.

This is where Hack The Box and Bugcrowd come together.

HTB University CTF: A stage for emerging talent

8,300 students from universities around the globe assessed their skills in our sixth HTB University CTF that took place in December. 

The HTB University CTF is one of our signature initiatives, introduced in the early years of Hack The Box, to ensure those entering the workforce are well-prepared. It's not just a competition; it's a simulation of the attacks they will face in their careers. Through it, they not only develop the hacker mindset but also gain the ability to measure their current skillset and identify what’s needed to become high-performing professionals of tomorrow.

Haris Pylarinos, Founder and CEO, Hack The Box

Sharing the same vision with Hack The Box of closing the current cybersecurity skills gap through hands-on learning and real-world experience, Bugcrowd played a crucial role—not only as a sponsor but also by bringing its hacking clubs, part of its College Program, into the quest.

I already had some experience with CTFs before, but the HTB University CTF took my skills to the next level. Solving a PWN challenge that initially seemed impossible was an incredibly rewarding moment. It showed me that what I learned in Bugcrowd’s hacking club could be directly applied to real-world scenarios.

Member of the Bugcrowd hacking club that participated in the HTB University CTF

HTB University CTF wasn’t just about solving challenges — it was about learning from my mistakes, collaborating with others, and discovering how much more I can achieve with the right resources and community by my side.

Member of the Bugcrowd hacking club that participated in the HTB University CTF

What is Bugcrowd’s College Program?

Bugcrowd’s College Program is designed to identify, empower, and mentor student hackers as they begin their cybersecurity careers. Through partnerships with on-campus hacking clubs, Bugcrowd provides students with hands-on learning opportunities where they can test their classroom knowledge through real-world challenges. Whether diving into CTF events, teaming up with fellow students, or receiving mentorship from industry pros, Bugcrowd’s College Program is designed to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Bugcrowd’s College Program helps close this gap by offering students the chance to engage in live, real-world cybersecurity challenges before entering the workforce. By providing this practical experience, we’re helping prepare the next generation of hackers and cybersecurity professionals to hit the ground running. The HTB University CTF is a flagship event for the College Program, providing students with a platform where they can solve realistic cybersecurity problems, engage with fellow students from universities worldwide, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they will face in their future careers.

Link Clark, Hacker Success Manager, Bugcrowd

Initiatives like these are amazing since they help develop skills that aren't normally taught in schools, with most relying on the community to create similar events. However, with these opportunities now available to us, it's much easier to introduce them to others, which is critical because we need as many different perspectives within cybersecurity as possible. Through these experiences, I've learned about real vulnerability hunting practices, worked with actual companies, and developed skills in quick problem-solving and different ways of thinking.

 Member of Bugcrowd's hacking club at UC Santa Cruz

As threats continue to evolve, our industry needs more skilled professionals who are ready to tackle real-world problems from day one. Bugcrowd’s College Program and Hack The Box’s University CTF provide a crucial bridge between traditional education and the hands-on experience required in the field. By exposing students to simulated real-world threats and providing them with mentorship, we are preparing the cyber defenders of tomorrow, today.