Students from the Computer Science department at Langara College in Vancouver have earned national recognition by ranking fourth place in the 2026 Cyber Security Challenge, a prestigious competition that brought together teams from universities and colleges across Canada.

This strong performance underscores the quality of Langara’s cybersecurity education and the practical skills students are developing through hands-on learning opportunities.

📍 Competition Highlights

The Canada Cyber Security Challenge, organized by CyberSci and held from February 20–22, 2026, tests participants in a range of cybersecurity tasks. These include:

• web vulnerability exploitation
• cryptography
• forensic analysis
• capture-the-flag style problem solving

Participants work against the clock to uncover hidden “flags” embedded in complex technical challenges — a format designed to simulate real cyber-defense scenarios.

Langara’s student team excelled against more than 30 academic teams, including competitors from major universities such as the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and Carleton University.

🧠 Student Experience & Faculty Insights

For recent Computer Science graduate Hailas Sharnuud, a member of Langara’s CTF (Capture The Flag) team, the experience was both exciting and affirming.

“It was an overwhelming success that far exceeded my expectations. Over 30 academic teams from across Canada took part, along with some of the country’s top hackers, which was truly mind blowing for me.”

Faculty support was also central to the team’s success. Computer Science instructor Kim Lam highlighted the value of competition experience:

“CTF competitions inspire students to connect their coursework with practical scenarios,” Lam explains. “The challenges require teamwork, problem-solving, and the application of knowledge from diverse subjects, reinforcing the idea that education extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries.”

🤝 Learning Community & Support

Langara’s Computer Science program emphasizes small class sizes and close mentorship, which faculty say gives students more personalized support throughout their studies. According to Warren Mok, Langara’s Cybersecurity Manager, this collaborative atmosphere helps students build confidence and readiness for real-world challenges.

🚀 Building Future Cyber Talent

Cybersecurity continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas in technology, with strong demand for skilled professionals worldwide. Langara’s curriculum provides students with core technical knowledge while creating opportunities to apply those skills in practical environments like the national competition.

“With the constant evolution of technology — from AI to critical infrastructure — there are numerous pathways within cybersecurity that students can explore,” Mok notes, emphasizing that practical experience is a major advantage for graduates entering the job market.

Students such as Sharnuud are already leveraging their competition experience in career planning. He shared how cybersecurity challenges strengthened his problem-solving skills and prepared him for professional roles:

“These competitions have honed my ability to problem-solve under pressure. I’m now actively seeking a position in cybersecurity.”

📌 Pathways in Computer Science at Langara

Langara College offers a range of programs in computing and information technology, including:

• Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science
• Diploma in Computer Studies
• Certificate in Internet and Web Technology
• Citation in Full Stack Web Development

These credentials combine classroom learning with practical experience, preparing students for careers in the evolving technology field or further study at universities. 

Related Articles:

Source: Langara students rank top 4 in Canada at national cybersecurity challenge