🎅🎄 SANS 2019 Holiday Hack Challenge (HHC) - KringleCon 2
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 2019 Holiday Hack Challenge can be found below:
SANS 2019 HHC - Kringlecon 2: Turtle Doves
Quick Statistics for HHC 2019
- 14,912 Players
- 2.51% (375) Completed the final challenge
- 303 Reports submitted
- 2.03% Submitted a report
- 78 Honorable Mentions
- 47 Super Honorable Mentions
SANS keeps a number of past challenges (including HHC 2019) 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 2020, I successfully completed all of the challenges and submitted my write-up to the Counter Hack Team for the second year in a row. This entry was one of 47 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 2019 - 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):
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 303 people/teams who took the time to document and submit their reports, and also to the 14,912 players who participated in the SANS 2019 HHC.
