CONTACT US
    Merlin Presents Cyberwatch: Race to Resilience

    Merlin Presents CyberWatch 2026: Race to Resilience

    A hands-on, immersive Capture the Flag (CTF) and Tabletop Exercise (TTX)
     experience for federal and public sector security teams

    The race to cyber resilience is on.

    19 Days
    21 Hours
    23 Minutes
    33 Seconds
    October 28, 2026
     
    10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
     
    Concorde, Crystal City, VA

    Participating technology partners

    Why attend THE MERLIN cyberwatch 

    Trusted by federal agencies for 30 years, Merlin invites you to the CyberWatch 2026: a multi-mission CTF competition and Executive Tabletop exercise for federal teams. Sharpen your skills, stimulate conversations, test your decision-making, and gain valuable cybersecurity insights aligned to your federal mission requirements.

    This is a hands-on, technical-focused, executive-centric immersive experience across three distinct tracks:

    Practitioner Track

    A Capture the Flag competition calibrated for participants with hands-on technical experience, competing solo or in teams of two. Under real-time pressure, secure a live environment, protect critical assets, and get ahead of cloud, data, and cryptographic risk using industry-leading technologies to capture each prized digital flag.

    Limited seats available.

    Executive Track

    An interactive Tabletop exercise and intimate roundtable discussions designed for CISOs, CIOs, and senior executive leaders. Hear directly from top voices across federal, SLED, and industry shaping the future of cyber resilience.

    General Audience Track

    No hands-on component required. Attend the Keynote lunch and roundtable discussions, explore partner exhibits with the latest innovations, and network at your own pace.

    Attend CyberWatch, Earn Continuing Education Credits

    All event attendees, regardless of track, will receive a Certificate of Participation that can be used to claim CPE/PDU credits.

    John Katko-border

    Meet our keynote speaker

    Opening Keynote • 11:30 a.m.

    John Katko

    Senior Advisor at Hill East Group

    Former U.S. Representative for New York's 24th congressional district

    Schedule

    10:30 a.m.

    Registration Opens: check in, grab your badge and meet other attendees

    11:00 a.m.

    Lunch, Opening Remarks, & Keynote: keynote begins at 11:30

    12:15 – 4:00 p.m.

    Choose Your Track

    Practitioner Track · CTF12:15 – 3:50

    Executive Track • TTX & Roundtables12:15 – 4:00

    General Audience: Join the executive roundtable discussions and explore partner exhibits at your own pace.

    4:00 p.m.

    Closing Keynote

    4:20 p.m.

    Awards & Recognition: CTF winners and event highlights

    5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

    Networking Reception: light bites, drinks and great conversations

    Get in the game: The cyberwatch CTF Experience

    Jump into a fast-paced, hands-on Capture the Flag competition built to showcase high-impact tools in automated security workflows, data analysis, cloud security, and post-quantum cryptography (PQC).

    Participating technology partners

    The Format

    3missions

    45minutes each

    Completed solo or in teams of two

    Skills & Experience

    Required

    • Basic networking
    • Web console navigation/search
    • Understanding of AWS cloud security concepts
    • Vulnerability triage/alert skills

    Bonus

    • Asset inventory
    • CMDB concepts
    • PKI basics, backup/recovery
    • ITSM ticketing
    • OT/ICS awareness knowledge

    Why Play?

    Sharpen your skills

    Earn CPE credits

    Win exclusive swag

    Claim ultimate bragging rights

    Prizes and recognition

    Top finishers in each individual mission and the top 3 overall teams will be awarded on stage.

    Spots are limited—reserve yours today! (You can pair up or assign your team partner later.)