SANS Institute and RBC Launch Cybersecurity Talent Competition in Vancouver — THE SANS INSTITUTE, LLC

Event summary

SANS Institute and RBC launched SANS Cyber Quest CTF, a 72-hour virtual Capture the Flag competition for Greater Vancouver’s university students and early career cybersecurity professionals.
The competition, running from October 22 to October 25, 2026, will offer up to 500 participants hands-on experience tackling real-world cyber threats.
Top performers will receive prizes including SANS Skills Quest access and full training access to SEC275: Foundations of Computers, Technology, and Security.
Registration is open from September 22 to October 19, 2026, at no cost.

The big picture

The collaboration between SANS Institute and RBC highlights the growing need for hands-on cybersecurity training as AI-driven threats increase in sophistication. With only 4.1% of cybersecurity job postings in Canada classified as entry-level, initiatives like SANS Cyber Quest CTF are crucial for developing the next generation of cybersecurity talent. This partnership reflects a broader trend of financial institutions investing in cybersecurity workforce development to mitigate evolving risks.

What we're watching

Talent Pipeline: How the competition will address the shortage of entry-level cybersecurity positions in Canada.
Industry Collaboration: Whether similar partnerships between financial institutions and cybersecurity training providers will emerge.
Skill Development: The effectiveness of gamified learning in preparing early-career professionals for real-world cyber threats.