Uzbekistan Selection 2026
4-Round Selection Pipeline
Our comprehensive selection process ensures fairness, transparency, and identifies the most talented cybersecurity students in Uzbekistan.
Official National Hub: This is the official website for Uzbekistan's national selection process for the International Cybersecurity Olympiad (ICO) 2026 in Sydney, Australia. The selection is managed by the ICO Uzbekistan Selection Committee, led by Captain and Head of National Selection & Platform Development, Yusufbek Abdurakhimov.
Round 1: National Online Qualification
Open to all students nationwide. This initial round tests fundamental cybersecurity knowledge and problem-solving skills through online challenges.
All eligible students: All eligible students
Round 2: Online Advanced Round
Top 50 participants from Round 1 advance to this stage, facing more complex challenges across multiple cybersecurity domains.
Top 50: Top 50
Round 3: Offline Proctored Round
Top 15 participants are invited to an in-person, proctored examination to ensure integrity and verify skills in a controlled environment.
Top 15: Top 15
Round 4: Offline Interviews
The final round consists of committee-led interviews with the top 15 candidates. The committee evaluates technical expertise, problem-solving approach, teamwork, and commitment.
Top 15 → Final 5: Top 15 → Final 5
National Team Training
Selected team members participate in an intensive training program covering all competition domains, team coordination, and advanced techniques.
Selection Principles
- • Fairness: All participants are evaluated using the same criteria and standards.
- • Integrity: Strict anti-cheating measures ensure honest competition.
- • Transparency: Clear communication of rules, dates, and evaluation criteria.
- • Privacy: Participant data is handled with the utmost confidentiality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate in the Uzbekistan national selection?
All students currently enrolled in educational institutions in Uzbekistan are eligible to participate in the selection process. There are no age restrictions for the national selection rounds, as long as you are a registered student at the time of participation.
What is the ICO (International Cybersecurity Olympiad)?
The International Cybersecurity Olympiad (ICO) is a premier global competition that brings together the world's most talented young cybersecurity professionals. ICO challenges participants in various cybersecurity domains through Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions, including both Attack-style and Defence-style formats. The 2026 edition will be held in Sydney, Australia from June 27 to July 2, 2026.
How many rounds are in the national selection process?
The Uzbekistan national selection consists of 4 rounds: Round 1 (National Online Qualification, open to all eligible students), Round 2 (Online Advanced Round, top 50 participants), Round 3 (Offline Proctored Round, top 15 participants), and Round 4 (Offline Interviews, selecting the final 5 team members from the top 15 candidates).
What are the dates for each selection round?
Round 1: February 1-2, 2026 (National Online Qualification). Round 2: March 1-2, 2026 (Online Advanced Round). Round 3: April 1-2, 2026 (Offline Proctored Round). Round 4: May 1-2, 2026 (Offline Interviews). All dates are subject to change, and participants will be notified of any updates through official channels.
What topics and domains are covered in the competition?
The competition covers multiple cybersecurity domains including: Cryptography (encryption, decryption, cryptanalysis), Web Security (vulnerabilities, SQL injection, XSS, authentication bypass), Digital Forensics (file analysis, memory dumps, network packet analysis), Binary Exploitation (buffer overflows, ROP chains, format string vulnerabilities), and Reverse Engineering (binary analysis, malware analysis, code decompilation). The competition uses CTF (Capture The Flag) format with both Attack-style and Defence-style challenges.
How many team members will be selected for the national team?
The final national team will consist of 5 members selected from the top 15 candidates who reach Round 4 (Offline Interviews). The selection committee evaluates technical expertise, problem-solving approach, teamwork capabilities, and commitment to determine the final team composition.
Is there a registration fee to participate?
No, participation in the Uzbekistan national selection process is completely free of charge. There are no registration fees, application fees, or hidden costs for participating in any of the selection rounds.
What happens after I am selected for the national team?
Selected team members will participate in an intensive national training program covering all competition domains, team coordination strategies, and advanced techniques. The training program is designed to prepare the team for ICO 2026 in Sydney, Australia. Training includes both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice sessions with experienced mentors and cybersecurity professionals.