The Embedded Capture the Flag (eCTF) is an embedded security competition run by MITRE that puts participants through the experience of trying to create a secure system and then learning from their mistakes. The main target is a real physical embedded device, which opens the scope of the challenge to include physical/proximal access attacks. The eCTF is a two-phase competition with attack and defense components. In the first phase, competitors design and implement a secure system based on a set of challenge requirements. The second phase involves analyzing and attacking the other teams’ designs.

In the 2026 eCTF, teams will design and implement a secure storage solution for a chip foundry. The system must allow users with various roles to access the proper data without leaking sensitive chip designs to unauthorized parties.

The eCTF is only open to active students.