CyLab Security Academy (formerly picoCTF.org)
Carnegie Mellon University
At a glance
- Cost: Free training
- Format: Online
- Who qualifies: Vets · Service members · Spouses
- Applications: Rolling
Full details
- Cost
- Free Practice ethical hacking in Carnegie Mellon’s free, year-round challenge library. Guided paths cover web security, cryptography, forensics and other topics, with beginner-friendly options. Adults and non-students are welcome; competition prize eligibility varies.
- Who qualifies
- Open to adults, college students and non-students worldwide. Some competition prizes are restricted to U.S. middle/high-school students; that is separate from general practice access.
- Format
- Online
Check current terms: Individual eligibility, seats and coverage must be confirmed with the provider.
- Credential
- No specific awarded credential established. Carnegie Mellon’s CyLab Security Academy provides learning paths, challenge practice and competitions.
Before you decide
- What is free
- Provider learner page states free learning account/challenges.
- Who qualifies
- Open to adults, college students and non-students worldwide. Some competition prizes are restricted to U.S. middle/high-school students; that is separate from general practice access.
- What you get
- Practice ethical hacking in Carnegie Mellon’s free, year-round challenge library. Guided paths cover web security, cryptography, forensics and other topics, with beginner-friendly options. Adults and non-students are welcome; competition prize eligibility varies.
- Credential and key limits
- No specific awarded credential established. Carnegie Mellon’s CyLab Security Academy provides learning paths, challenge practice and competitions.
- Format
- Online
- Duration
- Self-paced; year-round practice
- Location
- Online; eligibility restrictions still apply.
- Deadline
- Active platform and signup links; no general-learning deadline
- Stipend / housing / travel
- A separate stipend, travel or housing allowance is not established unless specified in cost details.
- Availability
- Rolling
- Details checked
- 2026-10-09
Application and credential details
- How to apply
- Review the official program page, confirm eligibility, costs and current availability, then follow its registration or application instructions.
- Documents to prepare
- Confirm the current document requirements with the provider.
- Application link
- Open official application page
- Credential or outcome
- No specific awarded credential established. Carnegie Mellon’s CyLab Security Academy provides learning paths, challenge practice and competitions.
- Application details checked
- 2026-10-09
- Application review status
- Checked against the official page. Details can change.
- Sources for these details
- https://www.picoctf.org/ — checked 2026-10-09
- https://cylabacademy.org/ — checked 2026-10-09
- https://cylabacademy.org/learners.html — checked 2026-10-09
- Availability checked
- 2026-10-09
- Current availability
- Rolling
- Status evidence
- Active platform and signup links; no general-learning deadline
- Availability limits
- A live page or application form does not guarantee seats or acceptance.
- Timing sources
Credential and exam evidence — October 11
No specific awarded credential established. Carnegie Mellon’s CyLab Security Academy provides learning paths, challenge practice and competitions.
Sources
- https://cylabacademy.org/learners.html — checked 2026-10-11