DEF CON 33 Showcases AI-Driven Cybersecurity Adoption in GenSec CTF
Google and Airbus partner at DEF CON 33 to accelerate AI adoption in cybersecurity workflows, with 85% of participants finding the GenSec CTF valuable for learning.
Google and Airbus Partner to Accelerate AI Adoption in Cybersecurity at DEF CON 33
At DEF CON 33, Google’s Privacy, Safety and Security Team, in collaboration with Airbus, hosted the GenSec Capture the Flag (CTF) competition to promote the adoption of AI in cybersecurity workflows. The event aimed to create an interactive and educational environment for participants of all skill levels to explore how AI can enhance daily cybersecurity tasks.
Key Event Highlights
Nearly 500 participants completed introductory challenges, with 23% using AI for cybersecurity for the first time. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 85% of participants reporting that the event helped them understand how AI can be applied to security workflows. This success underscores the potential of AI-focused CTFs in accelerating education and adoption within the cybersecurity community.
Technical Insights: Sec-Gemini in Action
The CTF provided participants with the opportunity to test Sec-Gemini, Google’s experimental Cybersecurity AI assistant. Integrated into the competition’s UI alongside other major large language models (LLMs), Sec-Gemini received strong feedback, with 77% of respondents rating it as “very helpful” or “extremely helpful” in solving challenges.
Community Feedback and Future Directions
The event’s success was amplified by the DEF CON community’s enthusiastic participation, which provided invaluable insights for refining Sec-Gemini. Google has already begun incorporating lessons learned into the next iteration of the tool. The company remains committed to advancing AI-driven cybersecurity and plans to share further research and key takeaways from the CTF with the broader security community.
Conclusion
The GenSec CTF at DEF CON 33 demonstrated the growing role of AI in cybersecurity, offering hands-on experience and fostering collaboration among security professionals. As AI continues to evolve, initiatives like this will be critical in equipping defenders with the tools needed to stay ahead of cyber threats.