When
May 26–29, 2026
Format
Offline and online
For red teams
A hyperrealistic competition
for white hat hackers
A hyperrealistic competition
for white hat hackers
When
May 26–29, 2026
Format
Offline and online
For red teams
A hyperrealistic competition
for white hat hackers
A hyperrealistic competition
for white hat hackers
Join the legendary international competition where red teams of white hat hackers (aka attackers) test their skills by probing the security of replicas of real-world IT systems.
Since 2016
Standoff has been held internationally
$50,000
prize pool to be shared by the winners
1,500+
replicas of industry-specific systems and software
Gain years' worth of experience in just four days
Explore infrastructures and IT systems from different sectors,
including those that only a few have access to in real life.
Test your hypotheses using any attack tactics and techniques you like
to have hands-on understanding of security flaws.
Complete 100+ tasks
to boost your knowledge and skills in various cybersecurity domains.
Become part of the international community
(after all, the world of cybersecurity is a small place).
Want to join the cyberbattle without qualifiers?
If your team wants a guaranteed slot in the cyberbattle and hands-on coaching from an experienced mentor, email redteam@standoff365.com to learn more about paid entry.
Slots are limited to five teams, so act quickly.
Slots are limited to five teams, so act quickly.
During the battle, red teams aim to earn points by completing two types of tasks
Finding vulnerabilities
Critical events are events that inflict financial and reputational damage on organizations and can temporarily disrupt the operation of an entire business or individual departments, lead to human casualties, pose health threats, or cause environmental damage.
Cyberbattle stages for red teams
Stage 1. Application submission
December 16, 2025 – February 10, 2026
Fill out the form on behalf of your team, and we'll review it by February 20.
If your application is approved, our community manager will accompany your team and assist with the preparation for the competition.
Team requirements
🔴️ Team size: up to 10 members
The Standoff Cyberbattle is a challenging competition, so we recommend assembling a team of at least 5 members to increase your chances of success. If you have trouble forming a team, our community manager will help you find the right specialists.
🔴️ Full engagement in the cyberbattle
Make sure to clear your schedule for the entire duration of the cyberbattle since complete concentration on the competition is key to achieving the best results.
Fill out the form on behalf of your team, and we'll review it by February 20.
If your application is approved, our community manager will accompany your team and assist with the preparation for the competition.
Team requirements
🔴️ Team size: up to 10 members
The Standoff Cyberbattle is a challenging competition, so we recommend assembling a team of at least 5 members to increase your chances of success. If you have trouble forming a team, our community manager will help you find the right specialists.
🔴️ Full engagement in the cyberbattle
Make sure to clear your schedule for the entire duration of the cyberbattle since complete concentration on the competition is key to achieving the best results.
Stage 2. Registration on the platform
After the application is approved, the team captain needs to register the team for the Standoff 17 Cyberbattle.
How to register
As a captain, you can register your team in one of the following ways:
🔴️ Look for the cyber exercise banner on the Standoff Cyberbattle page and proceed to registration.
🔴️ Wait for the community manager to send you a unique registration link.
Important
When registering, the team captain can add all team members at once by listing their usernames on the Standoff 365 Platform or do it later. Members who do not have a Standoff 365 account need to create one.
How to register
As a captain, you can register your team in one of the following ways:
🔴️ Look for the cyber exercise banner on the Standoff Cyberbattle page and proceed to registration.
🔴️ Wait for the community manager to send you a unique registration link.
Important
When registering, the team captain can add all team members at once by listing their usernames on the Standoff 365 Platform or do it later. Members who do not have a Standoff 365 account need to create one.
Stage 3. VPN setup and connection checks
Each team member needs to set up a VPN connection following the instructions provided in their Standoff 365 account. We recommend checking your connection right after setup to avoid technical difficulties during your preparation for the competition or during the competition itself.
The addresses for testing network accessibility are provided separately before each event.
The addresses for testing network accessibility are provided separately before each event.
Stage 4. Team data provision
We'll ask the team captain or representative to fill out a special questionnaire about the team and its specialization. This is important because the Standoff Cyberbattle is not just a competition, but a large-scale media event where we present teams to spectators and the community.
Stage 5. Qualifiers
February 28 – March 6
The qualifiers will take place on the Standoff Hackbase cyberrange from February 28 to March 6. The top 5 teams from the qualifying stage will advance to the Standoff 17 Cyberbattle.
The qualifiers will take place on the Standoff Hackbase cyberrange from February 28 to March 6. The top 5 teams from the qualifying stage will advance to the Standoff 17 Cyberbattle.
Stage 6. Onboarding
🔴️ Diving deep into the cyberbattle
As the event approaches, we'll organize online meetings to onboard the red teams or send out video tutorials that give an overview of the cyberrange infrastructure. All teams will be provided with details about the technical aspects of the cyberbattle, reporting guidelines, and other important information.
🔴️ Studying materials
We recommend that all participants (especially newcomers) carefully read all newsletters and materials sent by the community manager as it will save time during the cyberbattle.
As the event approaches, we'll organize online meetings to onboard the red teams or send out video tutorials that give an overview of the cyberrange infrastructure. All teams will be provided with details about the technical aspects of the cyberbattle, reporting guidelines, and other important information.
🔴️ Studying materials
We recommend that all participants (especially newcomers) carefully read all newsletters and materials sent by the community manager as it will save time during the cyberbattle.
Stage 7. Cyberbattle
May 26–29
Up to 25 teams will participate in Standoff 17. The following teams are guaranteed spots in the cyberbattle:
🔴️ Top 5 from the qualifiers
🔴️ Top 10 from Standoff 15
🔴️ Top 5 from Standoff 16
The organizers may also issue up to five wild cards to invite additional teams to the Standoff 17 Cyberbattle.
All cyberbattle participants can look forward to four days of exciting challenges and complex cases that will enrich their professional experience and create memories for years to come
Up to 25 teams will participate in Standoff 17. The following teams are guaranteed spots in the cyberbattle:
🔴️ Top 5 from the qualifiers
🔴️ Top 10 from Standoff 15
🔴️ Top 5 from Standoff 16
The organizers may also issue up to five wild cards to invite additional teams to the Standoff 17 Cyberbattle.
All cyberbattle participants can look forward to four days of exciting challenges and complex cases that will enrich their professional experience and create memories for years to come
P.S.
Every attacker will receive a digital certificate of participation in Standoff 17. The top 10 teams will get unique merch, and the top 5 teams will take home their share of the $50K prize pool.
Key dates
Application submission
December 16, 2025 – February 10, 2026
Qualifiers
February 28 – March 6
Qualifiers results
March 31
Introductory meeting
May 14
Standoff 17 Cyberbattle
May 26–29
Start prepping for the cyberbattle now
to increase your chances of winning
to increase your chances of winning
FAQ
What participation formats are available?
There are two participation options for red teams:
🔴️ The online format is the default option that allows you to join the cyberbattle from anywhere in the world.
🔴️ The offline format means that team members will be physically present at the event venue in Moscow, Russia. As a rule, teams that participate offline are those who have secured top positions in previous cyberbattles.
🔴️ The online format is the default option that allows you to join the cyberbattle from anywhere in the world.
🔴️ The offline format means that team members will be physically present at the event venue in Moscow, Russia. As a rule, teams that participate offline are those who have secured top positions in previous cyberbattles.
Still can't figure it out. How do you actually get into the cyberbattle?
Red teams can make it to the cyberbattle in three ways:
Way #1: through the qualifiers
To qualify for the upcoming competition, you need to do the following:
🔴 Submit your application. By February 20, we'll let you know if your team has made it to the next stage.
🔴 Participate in the qualifiers (from February 28 to March 6) and place 1st to 5th.
Way #2: based on the previous cyberbattle results
The best teams from previous competitions will automatically move to the Standoff 17 Cyberbattle. These include:
🔴 Top 10 from Standoff 15
🔴 Top 5 from Standoff 16
The organizers may also invite several teams to join the Standoff 17 Cyberbattle without going through the qualifiers.
Way #3: paid entry
Up to five red teams can enter the cyberbattle through paid entry, bypassing the qualifiers. What's included:
🔴 A dedicated mentor who will help with pre-event preparation and provide support during the event.
🔴 Targeted training programs to level up missing skills and sharpen existing ones.
Questions or want to apply? Email redteam@standoff365.com.
Way #1: through the qualifiers
To qualify for the upcoming competition, you need to do the following:
🔴 Submit your application. By February 20, we'll let you know if your team has made it to the next stage.
🔴 Participate in the qualifiers (from February 28 to March 6) and place 1st to 5th.
Way #2: based on the previous cyberbattle results
The best teams from previous competitions will automatically move to the Standoff 17 Cyberbattle. These include:
🔴 Top 10 from Standoff 15
🔴 Top 5 from Standoff 16
The organizers may also invite several teams to join the Standoff 17 Cyberbattle without going through the qualifiers.
Way #3: paid entry
Up to five red teams can enter the cyberbattle through paid entry, bypassing the qualifiers. What's included:
🔴 A dedicated mentor who will help with pre-event preparation and provide support during the event.
🔴 Targeted training programs to level up missing skills and sharpen existing ones.
Questions or want to apply? Email redteam@standoff365.com.
Is online-only participation possible?
Sure. Most teams choose to participate entirely online.
Can team members be changed after registration?
The team captain can add and remove team members via the Standoff 365 Platform right up until the event starts.
How many members can a team have?
The optimal number of team members is 8 to 10. A team of that size can distribute tasks among its members more effectively and cover all segments of the infrastructure.
The Standoff Cyberbattle is a challenging competition, so we recommend assembling a team of at least 5 members. Otherwise, it might be hard for the team to handle tasks.
The Standoff Cyberbattle is a challenging competition, so we recommend assembling a team of at least 5 members. Otherwise, it might be hard for the team to handle tasks.
Can a team have more than 10 members?
According to the rules, red teams can have up to 10 members. We rely on this figure to determine the maximum load on the infrastructure.
How can I prep for the cyberbattle?
Preparation for Standoff is crucial, so here are a few tips to help you:
🔴 Train on Standoff Hackbase. Our advice is to pay special attention to phishing.
🔴 Study the guide and the onboarding instructions. These docs contain a wealth of information that will be of use even to seasoned Standoff participants
🔴 Join our Telegram channel, the main hub for the Standoff community.
🔴 Train on Standoff Hackbase. Our advice is to pay special attention to phishing.
🔴 Study the guide and the onboarding instructions. These docs contain a wealth of information that will be of use even to seasoned Standoff participants
🔴 Join our Telegram channel, the main hub for the Standoff community.
Why have a mentor?
Red team mentors are practicing professionals with extensive experience in cybersecurity, who are also well-versed in the nuances of Standoff. Each mentor is selected based on the team's needs, such as to master certain attack techniques or supercharge particular skills. Mentors also guide their teams through various stages and help them tackle tasks.
Any red team can request mentor support by reaching out to the community manager. Pricing is discussed individually with each team.
Any red team can request mentor support by reaching out to the community manager. Pricing is discussed individually with each team.
When can I get a VPN config to access the cyberbattle infrastructure?
The VPN configuration file will be available for download on the Standoff 365 Platform one day before the competition starts. You'll then be able to connect to specific addresses to test network accessibility.
What should I do if I encounter problems connecting to the platform?
If you encounter any issues, please contact our Red Team Technical Support.
Will participants receive certificates?
After the cyberbattle, each team member whose team has completed at least one task will receive a certificate of participation.
Can I get an official document confirming my participation in the cyberbattle for my employer or educational institution?
Contact our community manager, and we'll prepare the necessary document.
Will participants receive merch?
The top 10 teams will receive branded merchandise:
🔴 Teams based in Russia can pick up your merch at the Positive Technologies office in Moscow, Russia, or we can arrange delivery to a single address for your entire team.
🔴 For participants residing outside of Russia, we'll arrange delivery to a single address for the entire team.
🔴 Teams based in Russia can pick up your merch at the Positive Technologies office in Moscow, Russia, or we can arrange delivery to a single address for your entire team.
🔴 For participants residing outside of Russia, we'll arrange delivery to a single address for the entire team.
How much time should I allocate for the cyberbattle?
We recommend that you clear your schedule entirely for the duration of the cyberbattle (that is, from May 26 to May 29). If your participation is confirmed, please avoid scheduling other important activities for these days as full engagement in the competition is key to succeeding.
Standoff 17 application form for red teams
Your team can have up to 10 members.
Fill out the form and wait for your application to be reviewed by the organizers.
Once your participation is approved, we'll send you a link to register on the portal.
Fill out the form and wait for your application to be reviewed by the organizers.
Once your participation is approved, we'll send you a link to register on the portal.