IET NITK Cipher SIG

Sherlocked II: The Cipher Hunt

The game is afoot. A 12-hour overnight odyssey bridging theoretical deduction with digital forensics. Designed to find the sharpest minds in the Batch of 2029.

Target Date
February 7, 2026
Operation Window
12 Continuous Hours

Briefing

This edition focuses exclusively on hands-on technical skill development and competitive problem-solving. The event begins with focused Knowledge Sharing Sessions, equipping participants with essential tools before transitioning into an intensive overnight CTF.

Participants will tackle challenges across four core technical domains, with a live leaderboard updating in real time. Special First Blood bonuses will be awarded to those who crack the code first.

Case Files

IThe Preparatory Sessions

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data."

Workshop Duration: 3-4 days
Venue: CIDS Seminar Hall

IIOvernight Operation

A continuous 12-hour hunt where participants unlock flags by solving cryptographic and logical puzzles.

14:00 - 21:00: Offline at CCC
21:00 - 02:00: Remote Hostels

Specializations

Algorithmic Arena

Data Structures & Algorithms

Test your problem-solving abilities with competitive programming challenges ranging from easy to hard difficulty. Focus on logic building, optimization, and time complexity analysis.

The Web Stack

Frontend & Backend Development

Dive into web exploitation challenges involving reverse-engineering websites, discovering hidden elements, and basic API manipulation. Master the art of understanding web architectures.

Intelligence & Data

Machine Learning

Explore pattern recognition through data cleaning, prediction challenges, and basic AI implementation. Learn to extract insights from data and build intelligent systems.

The System Core

Systems & Cybersecurity

Tackle low-level logic and security challenges including shell scripting puzzles, cryptographic decryptions, and network packet analysis. Understand the foundation of secure systems.

Candidate Requirements

Exclusively open to first-year B.Tech students (Batch of 2029). You may act alone or in a pair of two.

Bounty Pool
₹8,000

Merit Certificates for the Victors • Participation Proof for All