Empowering the youth: The impact of Next Gen Hack and the European Cyber Security Challenge

The NGH is a demanding and evolving competition. In 2025, over 160 young people registered, with about 90 meeting the age criteria of being under 20 or between 21 and 25 years old. A select group was invited to training camps designed to build a strong national team and inspire future mentors. This spring, Finland’s ECSC team was finalized, featuring ten members split evenly between the two age groups. Among the team’s coaches are three DNV Cyber employees, including last year’s team captain, Mika Luhta, who now steps into a coaching role. 

“The ability to transition between roles ensures continuity and knowledge transfer within the team. I’m excited to support the players in my new role as coach, sharing my experience and skills,” said Luhta, who works as a SOAR Development Lead at DNV Cyber. 

From Finland to Europe – The ECSC journey 

Each year, top performers from NGH go on to represent Finland at the ECSC, organised by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). The ECSC brings together national teams from over 30 European countries, along with guest teams from outside Europe.  Since the first ECSC competition in 2015, the initiative has grown from six countries to a global community. The next event will take place from 6 to 9 October 2025 in Warsaw, Poland. 

The competition is split into two parts: 

• Jeopardy-style Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, which include, for example, cryptography, forensics, reverse engineering, and web exploitation. 

• Attack & Defence scenarios, where teams defend their systems while attempting to breach others.  

The competition’s challenges are world-class, demanding not only technical prowess but also creativity, endurance, and teamwork. Participants face intense 10-hour problem-solving sessions over several consecutive days, with no breaks and meals delivered directly to the challenge area. This experience mirrors the real-world pressure of cybersecurity. 

 After placing 13th in 2023, the Finnish team climbed to 7th position in 2024 — a result that sets high expectations for the upcoming finals in Warsaw. 

“Every year, our goal is to improve our ranking and, of course, to beat Sweden — that’s always a priority,” Juurikko says with a smile. “If we can build a strong team, keep up the momentum with more training and create excitement around the competition, I believe we’ll see great results. Bringing home a win would be a huge boost for the whole community.” 

Why it matters: Skills, careers, and national impact 

Many NGH and ECSC alumni have transitioned into cybersecurity roles, ranging from internal experts to consultants and covering areas such as forensics and web application testing. Some have started working at academic institutions or pursued advanced studies abroad.  

Beyond individual development, NGH plays a vital role in raising cybersecurity awareness in Finland. For example, collaboration plans with organizations like the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) highlight the potential for outreach in schools, promoting ethical hacking and cyber careers. NGH also serves as a gateway to the broader cybersecurity community.  

Organizations investing in Finland’s cybersecurity future 

Support from official partner companies is vital to the success of Next Gen Hack. Financial contributions help cover essential costs, such as travel expenses for the Finnish team to attend the ECSC. In addition, partnerships with government bodies and educational institutions enhance NGH’s visibility and outreach efforts. 

“For Next Gen Hack to grow sustainably and help build a strong, youth-driven CTF community in Finland, we would need stable, annual funding from the government because the competition’s continuity cannot rely solely on less secure corporate support,” Juurikko emphasised.  

In addition to offering funding, companies’ involvement with NGH also provides direct access to a pool of highly skilled and motivated young professionals. Offering internships and employment opportunities helps bridge the gap between learning and professional life, giving young talents a clear pathway into the industry. Companies can also invite NGH participants to join their bug bounty programmes, encouraging ethical hacking and vulnerability research. 

The benefits to companies are tangible. By supporting NGH, organizations demonstrate their commitment to societal responsibility and youth development — key elements of a strong employer brand in the cybersecurity field.  

DNV Cyber wishes the Finnish team great success in competing at the ECSC in Warsaw in October 2025!