Introduction
Capture the Flag (CTF) events aren't just for elite hackers or DEF CON veterans—they’re one of the most effective, engaging ways for engineering and security teams to build real-world skills, improve collaboration, and uncover knowledge gaps. But for managers, organizing a CTF can feel overwhelming: infrastructure, content, scoring, tracking progress… it adds up fast.
Good news: You don’t need to build everything from scratch!
With Simulations Labs, you can create and host CTFs in minutes with pre-built labs, customizable challenges, real-time dashboards, and zero setup headaches.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to run a successful CTF as a manager and how to do it quickly using Simulations Labs.
What Is A CTF?
A CTF, or Capture The Flag, is a cybersecurity competition where participants solve challenges related to hacking, cryptography, reverse engineering, forensics, and web security to find "flags"—hidden pieces of data that serve as proof of solving a task.
These events are used for both education and competition, helping individuals and teams practice real-world security skills in a legal, structured environment.
CTFs can be:
- Jeopardy-style (solving challenges in different categories)
- Attack-defense (teams defend their systems while attacking others)
How to Prepare for a CTF
Define an objective for the CTF—whether it's skill assessment, gap analysis, or something else entirely.
Key Setup Decisions:
- Decide difficulty levels
- Decide challenge categories
- Decide CTF location (online, on-premises)
- Decide CTF format (teams, individuals)
Why Should Managers Host CTFs?
1. Skill Development
Simulate real-world threats your teams may face.
2. Team Bonding
CTFs encourage cross-functional collaboration.
3. Gap Analysis
Identify where individuals or teams need more training.
4. Culture Building
Position your organization as one that values hands-on, continuous learning.
Common Challenges in Running a CTF
Managers often face similar obstacles:
- Lack of time to build challenges
- No internal infrastructure to host challenges safely
- Difficulty tracking progress and engagement
- No experience gamifying security training
That’s why platforms like Simulations Labs exist: to remove the friction and let you focus on outcomes.
How to Launch a CTF on Simulations Labs in 5 Steps
Step 1: Create Your Free Account
Go to simulationslabs.com and sign up—no credit card required.
Step 2: Create Your Challenges
Create tailored challenges that match your participants’ skill level and training goals.
Don’t have challenges ready? Our experts can design custom challenges for you to ensure your event meets your exact objectives.
Step 3: Create a Custom CTF Event
Use the event builder to pick challenges, set a duration, and name your event. You can also upload your own challenges.
Step 4: Invite Your Team
Send secure invites via email or share a unique link. No installations required. All labs run in isolated environments in the cloud.
Step 5: Monitor and Debrief
Track engagement, scores, and completion rates via your dashboard. Export reports and share learning paths based on performance.
How Our Platform Features Help You
Simulations Labs recognizes that every organization has distinct needs. That’s why we provide flexible deployment options:
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Private Hosting
- On-Premises / Local Hosting
Contact us to explore which deployment option is right for you.
Use Cases
Simulations Labs helps elevate your hiring and training processes:
1. Real-World Simulation
CTF competitions create a controlled environment mirroring real-world threats—ideal for assessing job-relevant skills.
2. Skill-Based Selection
Go beyond resumes and interviews by giving applicants hands-on challenges that reveal true capabilities.
3. Problem-Solving Skills
Complex, real-time challenges evaluate critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability.
Pro Tips for a Successful CTF Event
- Keep it Short & Focused: 1–3 hours is ideal for internal teams
- Mix Skill Levels: Include beginner and advanced challenges
- Make It Fun: Add leaderboards, prizes, or internal shoutouts
- Follow Up: Use insights to guide future training or 1:1 coaching
Testimonials
“You made this possible. The CTF was an unqualified success—competitors were satisfied and enjoyed the experience. The platform is reliable and customer support is not only fast but also very accurate when solving any problem. We at CyberSecur appreciate it and really hope you keep up the good work.”
— Diane Samba, Cyber Security Analyst at Cybersecur
“We hosted a one-day competition between PSU students on the 2nd of April 2020. It aimed to give hands-on experience and prepare students for the national CTF competition platform.”
— Dr. Iman AlMomani, Professor at Prince Sultan University, KSA
“We ran a very nice 2-day women-only CTF in Amsterdam and have also been involved with our other events in Dubai and Singapore.”
— Dr. Iman AlMomani, Professor at Prince Sultan University, KSA
Ready to Build Your First Team CTF?
Whether you’re training junior developers or seasoned security engineers, Simulations Labs gives you everything you need to launch a meaningful, gamified experience in minutes.
Start Building Your First CTF on [Simulations Labs](https://app.simulationslabs.com/register/tenant)