Welcome to WWHF @ Mile High 2026 & Beyond the Flag: Tales from a CTF'er

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Presented at Wild West Hackin' Fest 2026 by

Nicholas Ippolito

CTFs are whatever you make them. Competition? Education? Recruiting pipeline? Networking? Creative NDA workaround? They're all valid—but most people stop at the flag and miss what actually matters. This talk is about what comes after you capture it. The skills that transfer to real work. The people you meet. The fact that you don't need a degree or fancy background to get good at this—just curiosity and time. I'll share some stories from competing, mistakes I've made, and why so many of us ended up in security without any formal training. With a little bit of curiosity and knowing how to ask the right questions, it's easier than ever to figure things out.  If you've ever felt like you're not smart enough for CTFs, or weren't sure they were worth your time, hopefully this helps. And if you're already doing them, maybe you'll find a new angle to get more out of it.