Towards Inclusive Cybersecurity Learning: A Novice-Friendly Capture-the-Flag Onboarding Platform

Cybersecurity has evolved into a global imperative driven by a surge in cyber-attacks and an acute shortage of cybersecurity experts. To address this challenge, gamification, which is the term used for incorporating game-like elements, has become a popular approach in cybersecurity education to attract, train, and retain cybersecurity talents. Among the methods embraced in this field, Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competitions and models have emerged as a prevalent means for educators to implement gamification and foster practical cybersecurity skills. However, CTFs can sometimes be intimidating and not beginner-friendly. To address this issue, this research aims to propose a beginner-friendly and supportive CTF onboarding platform for novices in cybersecurity. The targeted respondents for this research are Malaysian novice CTF players and cybersecurity educators, with 100 CTF players and 5 educators. An online survey was conducted using a digital questionnaire, and the results show the importance of an introductory platform for novices in the field. However, more work needs to be done in the future to develop a framework for designing and organizing CTFs that are engaging and educational for all levels of learners.