Re: DEFCON CTF Submissions are in, DC-16 video online!

[RB <aoz.syn () gmail com>]

On Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 20:06, The Dark Tangent <dtangent () defcon org> wrote:
> There are four submissions worthy of consideration, and I've posted them
> (with some private details omitted or redacted) here:
>
> https://forum.defcon.org/showthread.php?t=10246
>
> Please read and comment on them, we'll decide next week who the winner will
> be, and announce that in the future.

Submission #3:
> Over the years the DEFCON CTF has become the ultimate test of hacking
> ability, separating the script kiddies from the leet.

Many will agree that CTF@DEFCON is a [if not the] top competitive
hacking event, reserved for some of the most talented hackers in the
world.  Top competitive events (World Cup, Olympics, WRC, ICPC, etc.)
typically attend to the highest expression of their particular
discipline: the most difficult goal[s] to achieve, regardless of how
esoteric.  There is no real-world useful application of speed skating,
pole vaulting, or driving 170+kph on donkey trails, yet they are done
regularly for those very competitions.

> However that's where the similarities to previous years end. Instead
> of FreeBSD, the target OS will be Windows based. This better reflects
> the attack surface a team would encounter in the wild and mixes the
> game up for experienced teams.

If the OS of choice for past years is regarded as a tough nut to
crack, why should that be dropped for an OS that is more popular but
generally perceived as easier to compromise?  Isn't that dropping the
calibre of the game?  Other than making it easier for some competitors
and a choice of principle for those who elect to avoid non-libre
software, how is it expected that this will improve the game?
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