🎅🎄 SANS 2018 Holiday Hack Challenge (HHC) - KringleCon
Introduction
Every year the SANS Institute and the Counter Hack Team hosts a ‘Holiday Hack Challenge’ also commonly referred to as HHC.
The SANS HHC contains a number of unique infosec related challenges designed to test and improve the technical skills of those interested or working within Information/Cyber Security.
The 2018 Holiday Hack Challenge can be found below:
Some statistics on the SANS 2018 HHC were presented at the closing webcast which can be found below:
Quick Statistics for HHC 2018
- 17,460 Players
- 3.73% Completed the final challenge
- 337 Reports Submitted
- 1.93% Submitted a report
- 73 Reports with everything answered correctly
SANS keeps a number of past challenges (including HHC 2018) available all year long for those who still want to take part after the challenge has concluded which can be found below:
Write-up
For those looking to learn or expand on their technical abilities these types of challenges can often be a good starting point with many participants choosing to document and publish their write-ups for every challenge completed.
Included as part of the SANS HHC is the option to submit your write-up for each challenge (prior to the deadline) to enter into the SANS Contest.
In January 2019, I successfully completed all of the challenges and submitted my write-up to the Counter Hack Team, this entry was one of 42 entries to earn a Super Honorable Mention, which is defined as:
SUPER HONORABLE MENTIONS
A group of people who really went above and beyond with their entries. Their write-ups were SUPERB, demonstrating excellent technical skills along with impressive communication skills.
SANS HHC 2018 - Winners and Answers
I have chosen to publish my HHC submission to show my thought process behind various challenges and to help others learn (PDF Download Below):
SANS HHC 2018 Write-up JPMinty
I’d also thoroughly suggest anyone interested take a look at the below winning, astounding entries which took out the grand prizes.
Creative, illustrated entry - Congratulations Steve Sampana.
Video Walkthrough of SANS HHC 2018 Challenges - Congratulations Andy Smith.
Official SANS 2018 HHC write-up - Congratulations Dom, Sam and Vlad
Final Notes
In addition to my closing remarks in the HHC write-up, I’d like to give my congratulations to the rest of the Honorable and Super Honorable Entries, Honorable being:
HONORABLE MENTIONS
These folks did a wonderful job with their answers, and we heartily congratulate them
Send my congratulations to all 337 people/teams who took the time to document and submit their reports, and also to the 17,460 players who participated in the SANS 2018 HHC.
