A hyperrealistic competition
for white hat hackers
for white hat hackers
When
May 21–24, 2025
Format
Online and offline
Cyberbattle
for red teams
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
held internationally
$50,000
prize pool to be shared
by the winners
by the winners
1,500+
replicas of industry-specific
systems and software
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 hacker strategies.
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 get the most out of the cyberbattle?
Learn how you can get mentor support from a practicing cybersecurity expert
who will accompany your team and help you enhance expertise in the chosen field
During the battle, red teams aim to earn points by completing two types of tasks:
Finding vulnerabilities
01
Conducting attacks
that cause critical events
that cause critical events
The more points your team scores,
the more likely you are to make it to the top 8 and claim your share of a lavish prize pool of
the more likely you are to make it to the top 8 and claim your share of a lavish prize pool of
02
$50,000
Stay tuned for news about the next cyberbattle
Cyberbattle stages for red eams
Stage 1.
Application submission
Application submission
Dates:
February 12 – March 20
The application period is now over.
If you have any questions about participation, please contact us at redteam@standoff365.com.
The list of teams to take part in the qualifiers on April 2–6 will be published on March 31.
If you have any questions about participation, please contact us at redteam@standoff365.com.
The list of teams to take part in the qualifiers on April 2–6 will be published on March 31.
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 specialists you need.
⭐️ 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.
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 specialists you need.
⭐️ 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
Registration on the platform
After your application is approved, the captain needs to register the team on the Standoff 365 Platform by listing the usernames of all team members. Members who do not have a Standoff 365 account need to create one.
Stage 3.
VPN setup and
connection checks
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 the connection right after setting it up 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
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 introduce teams to the spectators and the community, including through our live streams from the analytics studio and media publications.
Stage 5.
Qualifiers
Qualifiers
Dates:
April 2–6
The qualifiers will take place at the Standoff Cyberrange. The top 5 teams from the qualifying stage will advance to the Standoff 15 Cyberbattle.
Stage 6.
Onboarding
Onboarding
⭐️ Diving deep into the cyberbattle
As the event approaches, we'll organize online meetings to onboard the attacker 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 all participants (especially those who are new to the competition) to 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 attacker 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 all participants (especially those who are new to the competition) to carefully read all newsletters and materials sent by the community manager as it will save time during the cyberbattle.
Stage 7.
Cyberbattle
Cyberbattle
Dates:
May 21–24
The following teams are guaranteed a spot at the Standoff 15 Cyberbattle:
• Top 5 based on the qualifier results
• Top 10 from Standoff 13
• Top 6 from Standoff 14
• Top 2 from the International Cybersecurity Games autumn season
• Top 2 from the International Cybersecurity Games spring season
The organizers may also use up to four wild cards to invite additional teams to the Standoff 15 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.
• Top 5 based on the qualifier results
• Top 10 from Standoff 13
• Top 6 from Standoff 14
• Top 2 from the International Cybersecurity Games autumn season
• Top 2 from the International Cybersecurity Games spring season
The organizers may also use up to four wild cards to invite additional teams to the Standoff 15 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 15. The top 10 teams will get unique merch, and the top 8 teams will take home their share of the $ 50K prize pool.
Key stages of the 2025 cyberbattle procedure
Application period
Review of applications by Standoff experts
Qualifiers
Standoff 15 Cyberbattle
February 12 – March 20
Until March 31
April 2–6
May 21–24
Top
5 teams
5 teams
Start prepping for the cyberbattle now to increase your chances of winning
Guide
The captain of one of the best Standoff teams has crafted a comprehensive guide for all red teamers eager to join the competition and rise to the top.
Read guide
Russian white hat hackers reveal how to ace cyberbattle tasks using various attack techniques.
Watch videos
Videos
Instructions
This doc will help you quickly figure out cyberbattle rules and how to complete tasks.
View instructions
Standoff: red team onboarding
Hack like a pro
How to win the Standoff Cyberbattle
Become part of the groundbreaking Standoff 15 Cyberbattle
FAQ
There are two participation options for red teams:
- Online format is the default option that allows you to join the cyberbattle from anywhere in the world.
- Offline format implies 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.
Red teams can make it to the cyberbattle in two ways:
Way #1: through the qualifiers
To qualify for the upcoming competition, you need to do the following:
Way #2: based on the previous cyberbattle results
The best teams from previous competitions will automatically move to the Standoff 15 Cyberbattle. These include:
The organizers may also invite several teams to join the Standoff 15 Cyberbattle without going through the qualifiers.
Way #1: through the qualifiers
To qualify for the upcoming competition, you need to do the following:
- Submit your application. By March 31, we'll let you know if your team has made it to the next stage.
- Participate in the qualifiers 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 15 Cyberbattle. These include:
- Top 10 from Standoff 13
- Top 6 from Standoff 14
- Top 2 from the International Cybersecurity Games autumn season
- Top 2 from the International Cybersecurity Games spring season
The organizers may also invite several teams to join the Standoff 15 Cyberbattle without going through the qualifiers.
Usually, we arrange an extra space for such teams. More details will be provided approximately one month before the event. Note that in this case teams must cover their travel and accommodation expenses themselves.
Sure. Most teams choose to participate entirely online.
The team captain can add and remove team members via the Standoff 365 Platform right up until the event kicks off.
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.
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 and plan the number of merch items and gift certificates needed.
Preparation for Standoff is crucial, so here are a few tips to help you:
- Train at the Standoff Cyberrange. 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 Discord server, the main hub for the Standoff community. Here you can connect and interact with other community members, get help, or even bolster your team with the specialists you need.
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.
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.
If you encounter any issues, please contact our red team technical support.
After the event, all team members will receive digital certificates of participation in the cyberbattle.
Contact our community manager, and we'll prepare the necessary document.
The top 10 teams will receive branded merchandise:
- Teams based in Russia can pick up their merch at the nearest Positive Technologies office.
- For participants residing outside of Russia, we'll arrange delivery to a single address for the entire team.
We recommend that you clear your schedule entirely for the duration of the cyberbattle (that is, from May 21 to May 24). If your participation is confirmed, please avoid planning other important things for those days as full engagement in the competition is key to succeeding.
If you have any questions about participation or the battle itself,
please contact us at
redteam@standoff365.com
please contact us at
redteam@standoff365.com
Copyright © 2025 Standoff 365. All rights reserved.
EN
Critical events are events that inflict financial and reputational damage on organizations and can temporarily disrupt the operation of a business or individual departments, lead to human casualties, create health threats, or cause environmental damage.