Dubai Police have announced the launch of a Dh223,000 “Capture the Flag” (CTF) contest to uncover the best ethical hacking talent. The competition will run throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month and is open to school students, university students, and professionals. Prize money is divided into three categories: Dh40,000 for school participants, Dh78,000 for university contenders, and Dh95,000 for professionals. Online qualifiers start on October 5, with the grand finale held at Dubai Police Officers’ Club on October 25–26.
Awareness Campaigns and Digital Tools
Alongside the contest, Dubai Police are expanding cybersecurity awareness with events, workshops, and forums tailored for schools, businesses, and the wider community. A new digital platform, ecrimehub, has also been launched to provide resources on electronic crimes, victim support, and fraud prevention. The platform includes AI-powered tools to analyze uploaded images for potential fraud, weekly quizzes with prizes, and an assistant that answers cybersecurity-related questions with high accuracy. These initiatives aim to make digital safety accessible and engaging for all.
Youth Focus and Community Protection
A major emphasis this year is on youth protection. Through targeted sessions in schools and universities, students will learn how to recognize online threats and safeguard their data. Reports of fraud submitted through ecrimehub will be acted on immediately, with scams investigated and shut down when possible. Officers stressed that awareness is the strongest defence against cyber risks. By combining competitions, technology, and education, Dubai Police are reinforcing their commitment to protecting the community in both physical and digital spaces.
