(/w+)\sorz Wins ICTC’s 2026 National Cybersecurity Competition for Youth
(/w+)\sorz of William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute in North York, Ontario, clinched the top spot in this year’s ICTC CyberTitan National Competition Finals, which was hosted on March 23-24, 2026. This year’s finals competition included four teams from Western Canada (BC-SK), four teams from Eastern Canada (MB-NL) and the Top All-Girls Team from over 200+ competing teams throughout the school year.
Since 2012, ICTC’s K–12 programming has empowered nearly 200,000 students across Canada to build digital fluency, confidence, and career awareness needed for success in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape, from advanced manufacturing and mining to quantum technologies and defence. Through partnerships with industry, government, and schools across Canada, ICTC’s CyberTitan initiative has provided 8,250 middle and secondary school students with hands-on learning experience in simulated cyber threat environments to develop the critical digital skills needed to succeed in STEM programs and a variety of professional fields.
BruteForce.exe of Sisler High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, placed second, followed by Olympians Poseidon of Old Scona Academic in Edmonton, Alberta, in third place. Firewall Fighters of Nashwaaksis Middle School in Fredericton, New Brunswick, won first place in the middle school division, while Reverse Shell of West Vancouver Schools in West Vancouver, British Columbia took home the Defender of the Year award.
ICTC’s CyberTitan IX Sponsors and Partners
The 2026 CyberTitan National Finals Competition is made possible with the support of:
- Communications Security Establishment Canada
- ChatterHigh
- Field Effect
- Mastercard Canada
- CyberAlberta
- University of New Brunswick
- The Centre of Excellence for Digital Innovation (for the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development)
- The Government of New Brunswick
“We’re very grateful to have obtained this year's CyberTitan IX championship. While some of us have competed throughout all four years of high school and others only started this year, every member put in a lot of hard work this competition season for this achievement. Each one of us - Phil, Fei, Eric, Vraj, Jason, and Colin - would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our coach, Mr. Guglielmi, our previous teams of FNASA and DROP TABLE, and all of the Mackenzie alumni who inspired us to compete in CyberPatriot. As seniors, this year marks the end of our CyberPatriot journey, but we encourage both teams from our school and across Canada to compete in CyberPatriot and continue learning cybersecurity in the following years. /wwww orz!” – (/w+)\sorz – William Lyon Mackenzie CI – North York, ON (TEAM)
“CyberTitan has been an incredible influence on our school environment. I am very proud of my team, both for their determination in the contest and in how they share their skill and knowledge outside of it. This team has mentored new teams and incoming students in CyberTitan, taught Cybersecurity concepts to our grade 9 and 10 computer studies classes, and hosted events promoting Cybersecurity and digital safety to our community elementary schools. While they are graduating at the end of this year, I know they will leave a lasting impact on our school community and will continue to be leaders and mentors as they enter the next chapter of their educational careers.” – (/w+)\sorz – William Lyon Mackenzie CI – North York, ON (COACH) Philip Guglielmi
“Throughout the past three years, we have worked extremely hard in learning more about cybersecurity. We all have a cool work dynamic, and our personal interests make us a unique and powerful team. We are very appreciative of the effort that everyone at ICTC and Field Effect put into making this competition happen. Special shoutout to our coach Mr. Gautreau and our mentor Griffin!” – Firewall Fighters of Nashwaaksis Middle School in Fredericton, New Brunswick (TEAM)
“As both their coach and teacher, I can’t express enough how proud I am of the Firewall Fighters. Their work ethic, focus, and determination throughout this entire competition were truly outstanding. This marks their third appearance at the National Championships, and after finishing second and then first in previous years, they've once again proven that they are the real deal. And this year, they did it again—they are the champions! This incredible achievement is a testament to their commitment, resilience, and teamwork. I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished.” – Firewall Fighters of Nashwaaksis Middle School in Fredericton, New Brunswick (COACH) Gary Gautreau
For more information on the annual CyberTitan competition, please visit here.
To speak with CyberTitan’s organizer or school team representatives, please contact Sheena Bolton at 613-237-8551 ext. 154 or by emailing @email.
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national center of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada's digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, ICTC has delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. The organization’s goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation, and that Canada's workforce remains competitive on a global scale.
Media Contact: @email
CyberTitan IX Final Standings:
- (/w+)\sorz – William Lyon Mackenzie CI – North York, ON
- BruteForce.exe – Sisler High School – Winnipeg, MB
- Olympians Poseidon – Old Scona Academic – Edmonton, AB
- PTC Cybersigmas – Pembina Trails Collegiate – Winnipeg, MB
- rm -rf – West Vancouver Schools – West Vancouver, BC
- kss – Killarney Secondary – Vancouver, BC
- Olympians Apollo – Old Scona Academic – Edmonton, AB
- Firewall Fighters – Nashwaaksis Middle – Fredericton, NB
- Reverse Shell – West Vancouver Schools – West Vancouver, BC
- Puddle Pigeons – CJCR Gp 49 RCSCC John Traverse Cornwell VC – Winnipeg, MB
- PTC Cyber Goshawks – Pembina Trails Collegiate – Winnipeg, MB
- RCSCC UNDAUNTED – CJCR Gp 22 – Calgary, AB
- Tech Titans – Exploits Valley Intermediate – Grand Falls Windsor, NL
