Saudi Arabia Sets Guinness World Record in CTF IT Security Competition at Black Hat MEA

Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity. - SPA
Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity. - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Sets Guinness World Record in CTF IT Security Competition at Black Hat MEA

Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity. - SPA
Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity. - SPA

Saudi Arabia has earned a Guinness World Record for hosting the world's largest Capture The Flag (CTF) computer security competition during the Black Hat Middle East and Africa (MEA) cybersecurity event.
The competition tasked participants with solving simulated cybersecurity challenges in a virtual environment.

These tasks were categorized into risk-based, attack and defense, and hybrid scenarios, reflecting real-world cybersecurity threats, SPA reported.
Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity.
The CTF competition, one of the largest events at Black Hat MEA, provided participants an opportunity to demonstrate their ethical hacking expertise while honing their skills in protecting systems and data. This initiative aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of advancing the Kingdom as a global leader in cybersecurity innovation and resilience.



Barcelona’s Feline Mascot ‘Cat’ Makes Its Debut at Home Game

 Barcelona's new mascot "Cat" makes an appearance before the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on November 30, 2024. (AFP)
Barcelona's new mascot "Cat" makes an appearance before the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on November 30, 2024. (AFP)
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Barcelona’s Feline Mascot ‘Cat’ Makes Its Debut at Home Game

 Barcelona's new mascot "Cat" makes an appearance before the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on November 30, 2024. (AFP)
Barcelona's new mascot "Cat" makes an appearance before the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on November 30, 2024. (AFP)

Barcelona’s new mascot, a large yellow feline named “Cat,” has made its debut as part of the Spanish club’s 125th anniversary.

The mascot cavorted on the field at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium before Barcelona hosted Las Palmas in a Spanish league game Saturday. The visitors won 2-1.

It wears Barcelona’s burgundy and blue shirt and shorts, and its mouth opens to reveal the same soccer ball icon found on the club’s emblem.

The name plays on Barcelona’s standing as the leading club in Spain’s northeast region of Catalonia. The four red stripes on its forehead, the club said, refer to the Catalan regional flag.

“Cat” was unveiled Friday at an anniversary gala.

The club describes the mascot as a “friendly, positive puss that is especially passionate about football, but also embraces all sports that are part of FC Barcelona’s multi-sport ethos, whether male or female, pro or amateur.”

In addition to its champion women's soccer team, Barcelona competes in other sports, including basketball, handball, indoor soccer, and roller hockey.

A previous mascot, “Clam,” was created for the club's 100th anniversary.