Here's an exciting opportunity for cybersecurity enthusiasts! 🚀
Google Cloud Security is hosting a special Capture The Flag (CTF) challenge in partnership with Hack The Box, called Operation Cymbal: Cold Room.
The event challenges participants to investigate a fictional company's security breaches using Google Security Operations and reconstruct what happened during the attacks.
And the best part? There are prizes, potential professional certification exam vouchers, CPE credits, and exclusive merchandise up for grabs!
🛡️ What Is Operation Cymbal: Cold Room?
Operation Cymbal: Cold Room is a cybersecurity Capture The Flag event hosted by Hack The Box in partnership with Google Cloud Security.
The scenario begins with Cymbal Investments, a fictional company that has collapsed after three seemingly unrelated security breaches.
Its environment is sealed inside a virtual "Cold Room," and participants must investigate the evidence to reconstruct the attacks.
Your mission is to:
🔍 Investigate security events and digital evidence.
🛡️ Explore Google Security Operations.
🧩 Reconstruct attacker activity.
🕵️ Connect the different stages of the intrusions.
📊 Prepare defensible findings based on your investigation.
🏁 Complete the CTF challenge before competing investigators.
This is an opportunity to explore security operations and incident investigation through a hands-on challenge.
🎁 What Can You Win?
The event lists several rewards and benefits.
Reward
Details
🎁 Exclusive swag
Limited-edition Google Cloud Security + Hack The Box merchandise
🎒 Google Cloud Security goodies
Backpacks, speakers, and more
🏆 Competition prizes
The first 25 investigators to finish the challenge win prizes
🎓 Exam vouchers
Professional Security Operations Engineer exam vouchers
📜 CPE credits
Available to eligible participants who attend the workshop and compete in the CTF
Remember: The event description does not guarantee that every attendee will receive physical merchandise or an exam voucher. Some rewards depend on completing the challenge, eligibility, or other event conditions.
📅 Event Dates and Timings
Here are the key details you should know before participating.
Detail
Information
Event
Operation Cymbal: Cold Room
Organizer
Google Cloud Security × Hack The Box
Format
Virtual event
Start
Thursday, October 29, 2026, 9:30 PM IST
End
Sunday, November 1, 2026, 9:30 PM IST
Challenge duration
72 hours
Registration deadline
October 22, 2026
Competition prizes
First 25 investigators to finish
⚠️ Registration closes on October 22, 2026. The deadline is today, so check the official event page immediately to see whether registration is still available.
The event is scheduled to run over 72 hours, giving participants time to investigate and complete the challenge.
🚀 How to Participate
Step 1: Open the Official Event Page
Visit the Google Cloud Security Community website and locate Community Capture The Flag with Hack The Box – Operation Cymbal: Cold Room.
Read the event details and check whether registration is still open.
Step 2: Register for the Event
Complete the registration process using the official event page.
Registration is limited, so submitting a registration does not necessarily mean your attendance is approved.
Step 3: Wait for Approval
According to the event description, approved attendees will receive an email containing their Hack The Box event passcode.
Keep an eye on your inbox and spam folder.
Step 4: Join the Virtual Event
Follow the instructions provided by the organizers.
Instructions for accessing the Google Security Operations environment will be shared on the day of the event.
Step 5: Learn the Platform
The event begins with a review of key Google SecOps features and guidance on using the Hack The Box platform.
Pay attention to the instructions and hints.
Step 6: Investigate the Challenge
Work through the available evidence, reconstruct the attack activity, and complete the CTF objectives.
The first 25 investigators to finish are eligible for the advertised competition prizes.
Step 7: Attend the Full Event
The event description says attending the full duration provides challenge hints and a chance to win exclusive Google Cloud Security and Hack The Box swag.
Make sure you read the official rules for attendance and reward eligibility.
💻 What Skills Do You Need?
This event is particularly relevant to people interested in:
🔐 Cybersecurity
🛡️ Security Operations Centers (SOC)
🔍 Threat hunting
🕵️ Digital forensics
📊 Security log analysis
🚨 Incident response
🧩 Capture The Flag competitions
☁️ Google Cloud Security
You don't need to assume that you already know everything about Google SecOps. The event includes an introduction to important platform features.
However, a basic understanding of cybersecurity, network activity, logs, and incident investigation can help you get more out of the challenge.
🏆 How to Improve Your Chances of Winning
Want to compete for the prizes? Here are some practical tips.
- Read the Instructions Carefully
Understand the scenario, objectives, and platform before jumping into the investigation.
- Take Organized Notes
Record suspicious activity, timestamps, indicators, and relationships between events.
- Build a Timeline
Reconstructing attacker activity in chronological order can help you understand how the breaches connect.
- Use Evidence
Avoid guessing. Base your findings on the information available in the challenge.
- Manage Your Time
The challenge runs for 72 hours, but the first 25 finishers receive the advertised competition prizes. Plan your time accordingly.
- Follow the Rules
Use only the provided challenge environment and authorized resources. Don't attempt to access systems outside the event scope.
⚠️ Important Things to Remember
Before registering, keep these points in mind:
Registration is limited.
The registration deadline is October 22, 2026.
Approval is required to receive the Hack The Box event passcode.
The Google SecOps access instructions will be shared on the event day.
The first 25 investigators to finish win competition prizes.
Attending the full event gives you a chance to win exclusive swag, not a guarantee of merchandise.
CPE credits require attendance at the workshop and participation in the CTF, according to the event description.
Exam vouchers and physical rewards may be subject to additional eligibility conditions.
🎯 Who Should Participate?
This event could be a great fit for:
Cybersecurity students
SOC analysts and aspiring security analysts
Cloud security enthusiasts
Ethical hacking learners
CTF players
Digital forensics enthusiasts
IT professionals interested in security operations
Even if your main interest is cloud computing, this challenge can help you explore how security teams investigate incidents and analyze evidence.
🏁 Final Verdict
Operation Cymbal: Cold Room combines cybersecurity investigation, Google Security Operations, Hack The Box challenges, and exciting rewards in one virtual event.
You can sharpen your investigation skills, compete against other participants, earn eligible CPE credits, and get a chance to win exclusive merchandise.
🔥 Quick Recap
Event: Operation Cymbal: Cold Room
Hosted by: Google Cloud Security × Hack The Box
Registration deadline: October 22, 2026
Event dates: October 29 – November 1, 2026
Duration: 72 hours
Competition prizes: First 25 finishers
Swag: Chance to win exclusive Google Cloud Security and Hack The Box goodies
🚨 Don't wait! Check the official event page today because the stated registration deadline is October 22, 2026.
If you're passionate about cybersecurity, this is an opportunity worth exploring.
Investigate. Analyze. Capture the flags. Win rewards! 🛡️🎁
🔗 Official Event Page
Register and verify the latest eligibility and reward conditions through the Google Cloud Security Community event page.
For more cybersecurity challenges, Google Cloud opportunities, hackathons, developer programs, and tech goodies, follow Btecky. 🚀
Link: https://security.googlecloudcommunity.com/events/community-capture-the-flag-with-hack-the-box-operation-cymbal-cold-room-141?utmsource=gcs&utmmedium=email&utmcampaign=STO10000055&utmcontent=community&utm_term=-