A Systematic Study of AI Applications in Cybersecurity Competitions

With more and more advanced persistent threats and other advanced attacks emerging, the cybersecurity situation becomes complicated and grim. Owing to its unique advantages, artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in cybersecurity and playing an increasingly important role. However, cybersecurity talents, especially those with AI skills (defined as AISec talents) are in short supply, and talents cultivation becomes a top priority. Cybersecurity competition is one of the most effective ways to identify talents. In order to reduce the gap between supply and demand of AISec talents, we investigate the existing cybersecurity competitions concerning AI applications in the paper. We summarize several existing forms of competing in cybersecurity competitions and discuss the ways AI impacts on cybersecurity. Based on the work of above, AI competitions in categories and how AI is applied in competitions are illustrated in detail. By analyzing and summarizing, we reveal the current problems and point out the direction for future competitions to better serve in talents cultivation and selection.