CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
IJCO 2026
Format
Registration Deadline (NZ Time)
Eligible Years
Remote online
28 August 2026 at 9:00:00 pm
Competition Date (NZ Time)
13:00-15:00, Sat 26 Sep 2026. Need to be online at 12:30.
Location
NZ Nationwide
Competition Gallery
Course Information
Optional preparation courses or resources for this round (if available)
Submission and Confirmation
Please check your email address carefully before submitting the registration form.
Once you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email automatically.
All other important communications (including the Exam Instructions, Results and Certificates, etc) will be sent to the email address you submitted to us. Please check your email inbox and junk mail / spam folder regularly!
What Happens Next?
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Registration Received
We will send you a confirmation email
We may review your registration if required
Eligibility Review
You will receive the Exam Instructions closer to the date
Exam Instructions
Participate and do your best!
Competition Day
Competition Overview
International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad (IJCO)
The International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad (IJCO) is a course-based cybersecurity competition designed to introduce young people to the knowledge, technologies and ways of thinking used in modern cybersecurity.
The programme combines structured learning with assessment. Students first have access to four pre-recorded online lessons developed by the National Cybersecurity R&D Lab (NCL), based at the National University of Singapore’s School of Computing. The course provides eight hours of content covering four core areas of cybersecurity: cryptography, networking fundamentals, red teaming and Capture the Flag competitions, and digital forensics.
Participants then complete a 40-question multiple-choice competition based directly on these four syllabus areas. The same course and examination are used across the eligible age groups, while results are classified separately by grade.
IJCO is designed for students in Grades 7–12 (NZ Years 8-13). Its broader mission is to build interest in cybersecurity, develop foundational technical knowledge and encourage students to explore further study and future careers in the field.
IJCO gives students an opportunity to:
explore cybersecurity through a structured academic programme;
learn concepts that are rarely covered in the standard school curriculum;
understand how cybersecurity professionals analyse threats and protect digital systems;
develop adversarial and analytical thinking;
gain introductory experience with cryptography, computer networks, Linux, Capture the Flag challenges and digital forensics;
learn through an eight-hour course before completing the competition;
test their understanding through an internationally delivered cybersecurity assessment;
receive recognition through medals and certificates;
explore whether cybersecurity, computer science or information security may be suitable areas for further study; and
potentially progress to the International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad Global Final.
Unlike a pure programming competition, IJCO introduces students to several different areas of cybersecurity and does not focus exclusively on writing code.
IJCO is particularly suitable for students who:
are interested in computers, technology or cybersecurity;
enjoy understanding how digital systems work;
are curious about how cyber attacks occur and how systems can be protected;
enjoy logical, investigative or analytical challenges;
want to explore cybersecurity before committing to more advanced study;
are interested in cryptography or computer networks;
would like an introduction to Linux and Capture the Flag competitions;
enjoy analysing evidence and solving technical problems; or
are considering future study in cybersecurity, computer science or related technology fields.
The official programme covers Grades 7–12 (NZ Years 8-13). All participants study the same material and complete the same examination, but classification takes place within each grade.
The most effective preparation for IJCO is to work carefully through the official course material, as the competition is directly based on the four syllabus areas taught in the programme.
Students should:
complete all four pre-recorded lessons before the competition;
revisit difficult sections and make notes on key terminology and concepts;
understand the basic purposes of encryption and hashing;
review common cryptographic techniques and their limitations;
understand how data travels across computer networks;
become familiar with the role and basic functions of Wireshark;
practise basic Linux commands, file handling and file permissions;
understand the purpose of red teaming and the basic structure of Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges;
review the main stages of a digital forensic investigation, including identification, preservation, collection, examination, analysis and presentation;
learn to recognise common forms of digital evidence such as network traffic logs, memory dumps, data images and file-system artefacts;
review the practical examples and tools demonstrated in the course; and
practise recalling and applying cybersecurity concepts in multiple-choice questions.
Because the contest contains 40 multiple-choice questions, with 10 questions from each of the four syllabus topics, preparation should be balanced across all four areas rather than concentrated on one topic. Each correct answer is worth 2.5 points, and there is no penalty for an incorrect or unanswered question.
Students do not need to become advanced cybersecurity practitioners before entering IJCO. The priority is to understand the concepts introduced in the official course and be able to recognise how they apply in different cybersecurity scenarios.
IJCO combines an online course with a multiple-choice competition.
Course
The official IJCO course consists of:
4 pre-recorded online video lessons
2 hours per lesson
8 hours of learning in total
The lessons are designed by the National Cybersecurity R&D Lab (NCL) and can be completed at the student’s own pace. Participants can pause, replay and revisit material as required.
Competition
The IJCO contest consists of:
40 multiple-choice questions
4 syllabus topics
10 questions from each topic
2.5 points per correct answer
100 points maximum
No marks are deducted for:
incorrect answers; or
unanswered questions.
The supplied information pack does not state the duration of the competition, so a contest duration should not be published unless separately confirmed.
The 2026 competition platform is online.
IJCO awards are determined according to participants’ scores and rankings within each grade.
The supplied information pack specifies the following medal distribution:
Gold Medal
Approximately the top 1/12 of participants in each grade, equivalent to approximately 8.3%.
Silver Medal
Approximately the next 1/6 of participants in each grade, equivalent to approximately 16.7%.
Bronze Medal
Approximately the next 1/4 of participants in each grade, equivalent to approximately 25%.
The information pack also displays examples of:
Honorable Mention certificates; and
Certificates of Participation.
Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and competition certificates are associated with the National Cybersecurity R&D Lab and the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Strong IJCO performance can lead to further cybersecurity and wider STEAM opportunities within the SIMCC ecosystem.
International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad Global Final
The International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad Global Final (IJCOGF) is described as the global round of IJCO.
IJCOGF:
is a separate course-based competition;
is available to IJCO medalists who wish to participate;
brings together outstanding students from around the world; and
forms part of the STEAM AHEAD event.
Participation in IJCO should therefore not be described as automatic entry into the Global Final. The supplied information supports progression for IJCO medalists, with Global Final participation handled separately.
The most effective preparation for IJCO is to work carefully through the official course material, as the competition is directly based on the four syllabus areas taught in the programme.
Students should:
complete all four pre-recorded lessons before the competition;
revisit difficult sections and make notes on key terminology and concepts;
understand the basic purposes of encryption and hashing;
review common cryptographic techniques and their limitations;
understand how data travels across computer networks;
become familiar with the role and basic functions of Wireshark;
practise basic Linux commands, file handling and file permissions;
understand the purpose of red teaming and the basic structure of Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges;
review the main stages of a digital forensic investigation, including identification, preservation, collection, examination, analysis and presentation;
learn to recognise common forms of digital evidence such as network traffic logs, memory dumps, data images and file-system artefacts;
review the practical examples and tools demonstrated in the course; and
practise recalling and applying cybersecurity concepts in multiple-choice questions.
Because the contest contains 40 multiple-choice questions, with 10 questions from each of the four syllabus topics, preparation should be balanced across all four areas rather than concentrated on one topic. Each correct answer is worth 2.5 points, and there is no penalty for an incorrect or unanswered question.
Students do not need to become advanced cybersecurity practitioners before entering IJCO. The priority is to understand the concepts introduced in the official course and be able to recognise how they apply in different cybersecurity scenarios.
Resources & Downloads
Access all available competition information, preparation materials, past papers and official documents.