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QUAL_PHASE_01 // ACTIVE — 116 CANDIDATES ENTERED
KOSOVA CYBER TEAM // 2026 EDITION
National Cybersecurity Championship

Selecting the finest young security researchers in Kosova to represent the nation at the European Cyber Security Challenge 2026 — Bochum, Germany. Five qualification phases. One team. One flag.

View Qualification About the Mission
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Candidates
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Qual Phases
35+
Nations at ECSC
400+
ECSC Participants
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SYS:: QUAL_PHASE_01 COMPLETE — 40 competitors /// TOP_3: Lorik Kelmendi // Senad Mehmeti // Olt Vrella SYS:: JUNIOR_LEADER: Era Dragusha /// ECSC_2026 // BOCHUM, GERMANY // OCT 12–16 SYS:: GENERAL_SPONSOR: IPKO TELECOMMUNICATIONS /// DOMAINS: REV_ENG // WEB_SEC // CRYPTO // BIN_EXPLOIT // MISC // HARDWARE SYS:: VENUE: FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING — UP /// PHASE_02 UPCOMING — STAY SHARP
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About the Initiative

The Kosova Cyber Team is the national initiative responsible for selecting, training, and sending Kosova's best young cybersecurity talent to the European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC) — the continent's premier competition for ethical hackers aged 14–25.

Launched officially at the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Prishtina, the 2026 championship opened with hands-on training from industry professionals covering AI tools in reverse engineering and web application security — followed immediately by the first competitive qualification round.

Kosova competes alongside 35+ nations in Jeopardy and Attack-Defense formats, spanning web security, cryptography, reverse engineering, binary exploitation, and more. Through structured phases, the team is forged — challenge by challenge.

MISSION ECSC 2026 // BOCHUM
LOCATION Prishtina, Kosova
QUAL_PHASES 8 Rounds
PHASE_01 COMPLETE [40 entrants]
PHASE_02-05 UPCOMING
ECSC DATE Oct 12–16, 2026
FORMAT Jeopardy + Atk/Def
HOST NFITS e.V. // Germany
ECSC NATIONS 35+
STATUS IN PROGRESS ●
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Qualification Process

EVENT_01 // 5 JAN 2026 // COMPLETE
Opening of Applications for KCT 2026
Application portal went live, inviting candidates from across Kosova to apply for the national cybersecurity team selection process.
Online
EVENT_02 // JAN 2026 // COMPLETE
School Visits — Application Awareness Campaign
Team representatives visited schools across Kosova to raise awareness and encourage talented young students to apply for KCT 2026.
Kosova Outreach
EVENT_03 // 25 JAN 2026 // COMPLETE
Official onboarding of the candidates for KCT 2026
Official onboard meeting with applicants for Kosova Cyber Team 2026, marking the official start of our journey toward the European Cybersecurity Challenge (ECSC) 2026.
Online Watch on YouTube
EVENT_04 // 30 JAN 2026 // COMPLETE
Cyber Security Challenge Kosova & Albania
In a time where cybersecurity is a top priority, we hosted a challenge to both raise awareness and discover new talent in Kosova and Albania. Teams of up to four students faced a variety of challenges that cover key areas of cybersecurity, including cryptography, network security, reverse engineering, and more.
Online CTF Weight: 5%
EVENT_05 // 21 FEB 2026 // COMPLETE
International Cybersecurity Defense Challenge (ICDC) 2026
The fifth edition of the International Cybersecurity Defense Challenge. This year, the competition is co-organized by RIT Kosovo and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FIEK), University of Prishtina, in partnership with Iowa State University and Iowa National Guard.
Prishtina Defense Challenge Watch on YouTube
EVENT_06 // 1 MAR – 30 APR 2026 // ACTIVE
Swiss Hacking Challenge Qualifier (Online)
Kosova candidates competing in the Swiss Hacking Challenge online qualifier. One of the highest-weighted events in the selection process — performance here carries significant impact on the final score.
Remote — Prishtina Qualifier Weight: 30%
EVENT_07 // 14 MAR 2026 // COMPLETE
National CTF Phase 1
National Capture The Flag competition held in Prishtina. A key selection milestone — results directly contribute to the cumulative ranking of KCT 2026 candidates.
Prishtina CTF Weight: 15% Watch on YouTube
EVENT_08 // 9-12 APR 2026 // UPCOMING
Workshop with Gaspero Ferraro - Team Italy
Technical Manager presso Cybersecurity National Lab - CINI will be in Prishtina for dedicated workshops with our team.
Prishtina Workshop
EVENT_09 // 23 APR 2026 // UPCOMING
SHEcurity conference & CTF 2026
CTF competition organized in collaboration with SHEcurity and the University of Prishtina's ctf.uni-pr.edu platform, promoting diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity.
Prishtina CTF Weight: 5%
EVENT_10 // 16 MAY 2026 // UPCOMING
National CTF Phase 2
Internal Kosova Cyber Team CTF — a major qualification event designed and hosted by KCT itself, testing the full breadth of candidates' technical skills.
Prishtina CTF Weight: 20%
EVENT_11 // 20 JUN 2026 // UPCOMING
IPKO National CTF Final Phase
Final round of the IPKO CTF sponsored competition. Top-performing candidates advance through this high-stakes finale, contributing directly to the selection leaderboard.
Prishtina CTF Finals Weight: 20%
EVENT_12 // 2-5 JUL 2026 // UPCOMING
Vienna Cybersecurity Workshop
International cybersecurity workshop in Vienna. Selected team members attend advanced training sessions alongside participants from other European nations.
Vienna Workshop acsc.land
EVENT_13 // 6–17 JUL 2026 // UPCOMING
Prishtina International Summer University (PISU)
Intensive two-week program led by Prof. Josh Brunty — US Cyber Team Head Coach and Professor at Marshall University.
Prishtina Training Camp Prof. Josh Brunty
EVENT_14 // 7–10 AUG 2026 // UPCOMING
DEF CON Training & CTF — Las Vegas
The world's largest hacker conference. Selected team members attend DEF CON training sessions and compete in DEF CON CTF — the ultimate real-world stress test before ECSC.
Las Vegas DEF CON CTF
EVENT_15 // 5–6 SEP 2026 // UPCOMING
IPKO Hackathon — Selected Team
Hackathon event for the selected KCT team members, hosted in partnership with IPKO. Final tuning of teamwork and collaborative problem-solving before the championship.
Prishtina Hackathon Weight: 5%
EVENT_16 // 19–20 SEP 2026 // UPCOMING
Final Preparation Hackathon — Selected Team
Last intensive preparation event before ECSC 2026. The selected team runs full simulations of the ECSC format — Attack-Defense, Jeopardy CTF — under competition conditions.
Prishtina Final Prep Weight: 5%
EVENT_17 // 12–16 OCT 2026 // UPCOMING
ECSC 2026 — European Cyber Security Challenge
The main event. Kosova Cyber Team competes against 35+ nations at RuhrCongress Bochum, Germany. 72-hour CTF. The culmination of a year of selection, training, and sacrifice.
Bochum, Germany ECSC 2026 35+ Nations
EVENT_18 // OCT–NOV 2026 // UPCOMING
Promoting & Awareness Raising on Cyber Security
Post-ECSC outreach campaign. The team travels to schools and institutions across Kosova to share experiences, inspire the next generation, and raise national cybersecurity awareness.
Prishtina Outreach Education
DESTINATION :: ECSC 2026
RuhrCongress Bochum, Germany
October 12–16, 2026  //  35+ Nations  //  400+ Participants  //  72-hour CTF
View ECSC 2026
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The Team

// COACHES
Blerim Rexha
Head Coach
Prof. Dr. Blerim Rexha
Professor @ University of Prishtina
Kastriot Fetahaj
Coach
Kastriot Fetahaj
Lead CyberSecurity Engineer @ Ptera
Robert Shala
Coach
Robert Shala
AI Tools in Reverse Engineering
Arbnor Halili
Coach
Arbnor Halili
Web Application Security
Blerim Jahiu
Coach
Blerim Jahiu
Experienced Instructor @ Cisco
Rrezearta Thaqi
Coach
Rrezearta Thaqi
PhD Student
Arbena Musa
Coach
Arbena Musa
PhD Student
// SENIOR CANDIDATES (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
AH
Senior Candidate
Albina Hajraj
AM
Senior Candidate
Aldrin Meqa
AG
Senior Candidate
Alpet Gexha
AA
Senior Candidate
Amir Aliu
AZ
Senior Candidate
Arb Zhubi
AM
Senior Candidate
Arber Mustafa
BB
Senior Candidate
Besart Buquku
BB
Senior Candidate
Bora Bokshi
DK
Senior Candidate
Diar Kamberi
DA
Senior Candidate
Diedon Asllani
DK
Senior Candidate
Diella Kika
DO
Senior Candidate
Diona Osmani
EB
Senior Candidate
Eron Bajraktari
FR
Senior Candidate
Fjolla Ramadani
FS
Senior Candidate
Floridë Suka
GP
Senior Candidate
Gent Podvorica
GH
Senior Candidate
Gerta Hodolli
GK
Senior Candidate
Gjin Krasniqi
JL
Senior Candidate
Jon Luta
JB
Senior Candidate
Joni Berisha
LK
Senior Candidate
Lorik Kelmendi
OI
Senior Candidate
Olt Imeri
OV
Senior Candidate
Olt Vrella
PZ
Senior Candidate
Pashtrik Zogaj
RP
Senior Candidate
Robert Pira
SM
Senior Candidate
Senad Mehmeti
SB
Senior Candidate
Sokol Bllaca
XB
Senior Candidate
Xhavit Basha
YB
Senior Candidate
Yll Berisha
// JUNIOR CANDIDATES (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
AB
Junior Candidate
Albios Beqiraj
AR
Junior Candidate
Alea Restelica
AR
Junior Candidate
Ali Rreci
AK
Junior Candidate
Alp Krasniqi
AS
Junior Candidate
Amar Sejdiu
AX
Junior Candidate
Andi Xhemaili
AR
Junior Candidate
Ar Rama
AK
Junior Candidate
Arbesa Kika
BJ
Junior Candidate
Blerim Jashari
BL
Junior Candidate
Bora Limani
DZ
Junior Candidate
Dion Zekaj
DG
Junior Candidate
Drin Gjocaj
ES
Junior Candidate
Elion Shala
EM
Junior Candidate
Enrik Mustafa
ED
Junior Candidate
Era Dragusha
EK
Junior Candidate
Erin Krasniqi
EL
Junior Candidate
Etika Lepaja
JI
Junior Candidate
Jon Ibrahimi
LC
Junior Candidate
Lekë Cërvadiku
LS
Junior Candidate
Lisa Shahini
LV
Junior Candidate
Lora Vega
NS
Junior Candidate
Naron Shema
ND
Junior Candidate
Nobel Durguti
RZ
Junior Candidate
Rida Zilkiqi
YG
Junior Candidate
Ylber Govori
YO
Junior Candidate
Ylli Osmani
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Challenge Domains

⟨/⟩
Web Security
SQL injection, XSS, SSRF, authentication bypass, IDOR, and modern web exploitation techniques. Attack real applications. Find the flags.
⟳
Reverse Engineering
Disassemble binaries, decompile executables, unpack malware. Understand code without source. AI-assisted RE techniques introduced in Phase 01.
⌗
Cryptography
Break ciphers, crack hashes, exploit weak key generation, and attack real-world cryptographic implementations. Classic and modern protocols.
▓
Binary Exploitation
Stack overflows, heap exploits, format string vulnerabilities, ROP chains. Low-level memory corruption at its finest. Get a shell or go home.
⊕
Attack & Defense
Simultaneous offense and defense. Your infrastructure is live. Patch your services. Exploit theirs. Real-time scoring. The ECSC final format.
⚡
Misc
Unconventional challenges that don't fit a single category — puzzles, esoteric languages, coding challenges, and creative problem solving under pressure.
⚙
Hardware
Embedded systems, firmware analysis, side-channel attacks, logic analyzers, and low-level hardware exploitation. Where bits meet silicon.
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Our Supporters

// GENERAL SPONSOR
// GOLD SPONSORS
// SILVER SPONSORS
// BRONZE SPONSORS
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Get in Touch

EMAIL info@kosovacyber.team
WEBSITE kosovacyber.team
LOCATION Prishtina, Kosova