PakCrypt Intl Symposium 2026
PakCrypt Intl Symposium 2026
★ 5th Annual Edition · Est. 2022 ★
PakCrypt 2026
International Cybersecurity Symposium & Competitions
NCCS, Air University, Islamabad · 24-27 Nov 2026
📍 Islamabad · Faisal Mosque & the Margalla Hills — your host city for four days this November
1,000+ Expected Participants
11 Intl Speakers (2026)
2 Competition Tracks
4 Days On-Site
Rs. 5.0M Total Prizes
📅 Important Dates
Pre-Qualifying Round — Closed Online · Open to all Pakistan · Completed
✓ CLOSED · Aug – Sep 2026
Qualifying Round — IN PROGRESS Online · Top performers advance to the finals · Participant portal →
NOW LIVE · ends 7 Nov 2026
IACR Crypto Winter School iacr.org · Hands-on workshops with world experts
24–27 Nov 2026
International Cyber Security Symposium Keynotes, panels, research presentations
24–27 Nov 2026
Final Round — On-Site Competition NCCS, Air University, Islamabad
24–27 Nov 2026
Networking Dinner for Finalists Celebrating Pakistan's top cryptographers
26 Nov 2026
Closing Ceremony & Prize Distribution Awards, expert sessions, and more
27 Nov 2026
✅ Dates & venue confirmed. All events take place 24–27 November 2026 (Tuesday–Friday) at NCCS, Air University, E-9, Islamabad. Watch this page for further programme updates.
⚙ How It Works
📄 Sample Problems Available: See what Round 1 and Round 2 look like across both tracks — Download Sample Problem Set (PDF) →
📚 Recommended Reading
Not sure where to start? These titles map closely to what each track tests. Pick the list that matches your track and work through the fundamentals at your own pace — useful for Round 2, the on-site finals, and beyond.
🌟 Amateur Track
Classical ciphers · puzzles · aptitude
- The Code Book
- Cryptanalysis
- Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing
- The Mathematics of Secrets
🔐 Professional Track
Math foundations · problem-solving
- Understanding Cryptography
- Introduction to Modern Cryptography
- A Course in Number Theory and Cryptography
- Handbook of Applied Cryptography
01
Pre-Qualifying Round
Open online round. Solve cryptography challenges at your own pace over several weeks.
02
Qualifying Round
Online. Top performers from Round 1 compete in a timed, higher-difficulty challenge set.
03
Finals Invitation
10–15 finalists per track are invited on-campus. Full sponsorship: travel, food, accommodation.
04
On-Site Symposium
4-day immersive experience: live competition, IACR Winter School, global expert sessions, and prize ceremony.
🎮 Warm Up — Crack the Modulus
Think you have the instincts for PakCrypt? Try our mini-game. Two rows (or columns) of the grid combine under a hidden modulus N to produce the third — deduce the rule, find the missing value, and beat the 20-second clock. It's a small taste of the pattern-hunting mindset the competition rewards.
Enjoyed the puzzle? Round 2 is underway until 7 Nov — follow @PakCryptOrg for updates →
🏁 Competition Tracks
Professional Track
No Age Restriction Open to all — students, academics, professionals, and independent researchers from across Pakistan. No restrictions apply. If you know cryptography, this track is yours.
Amateur Track
Born after 01 Dec 2006 For the next generation of cryptographers — participants must be born after 01 December 2006 (i.e., under 20 years of age on 01 December 2026). A dedicated platform for young talent to shine.
👤 Individual participation only. All competition across both tracks and every round is on an individual basis — there are no teams. You register, qualify, and compete as yourself.
🏆 Prizes & Rewards
🥇
1st Place
Rs. 300K
per track
🥈
2nd Place
Rs. 200K
per track
🥉
3rd Place
Rs. 125K
per track
💸 Rs. 40-80K — All Runner-ups
🏛 Rs. 50K — Symposium Fee (all finalists)
🛏 FREE Accommodation — all 4 days
🍽 FREE Meals — full duration
📜 IACR Winter School — FREE registration
🍾 Networking Dinner — all finalists
🎙 Expert Sessions — interactive & hands-on
Each prize is awarded to an individual winner — the amounts shown are per place, per track (so 1st place is awarded in both the Professional and Amateur tracks). Prize amounts are expected based on prior years and will be confirmed once finalised. All finalists who qualify and participate on-site receive the full sponsorship package regardless of final placement.
🎟 It's Free for Finalists
PakCrypt is fully sponsored. There is no charge for any of the following — come for the cryptography, not the cost.
🚌 How accommodation works. Free lodging is normally arranged in student hostels or equivalent on or near campus. Pick-up and drop-off between the hostel and the venue is arranged by the PakCrypt organising team. Local participants from the twin cities are warmly welcome to attend but are not provided overnight accommodation.
Margalla Hills — on the city's doorstep
Crisp November air — the pleasant season
Golden hour — around the capital region 🌤 Late November in Islamabad is one of the city's finest stretches — cool, dry, and comfortable (daytime highs around 20–23 °C, evenings dropping to roughly 7–13 °C), with clear skies framed by the Margalla Hills. It's typically the driest month of the year. Pack a light jacket for the evenings.
🌐 International Symposium
🔬 In Partnership with IACR · International Association for Cryptologic Research
PakCrypt 2026 runs in parallel with two world-class events: the IACR Cryptography Winter School and the International Cyber Security Symposium. Together they form a singular 4-day experience where Pakistan's top cryptography talent learns directly from global leaders.
In 2025 we hosted 13 international experts — all world-class authorities in cryptography and cybersecurity. In 2026 we are raising the bar further with deeper interactivity and a richer programme.
IACR Winter School Hands-on workshops with global cryptography researchers — a rare opportunity in Pakistan.
Cyber Security Symposium Keynotes, panels, and research talks covering the cutting edge of applied security.
Expert Q&A Sessions Direct, interactive access to international speakers — ask the people shaping the field.
Networking & Community Build lasting connections with peers, academics, and industry professionals across Pakistan.
🎙 2026 Speakers
Meet the international experts joining PakCrypt 2026 from 24–27 November for the IACR Winter School and the Cyber Security Symposium. Hover over (or tap) a portrait to see who they are.
Germany3 Norway3 Turkiye3 China1 Italy1
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11 🗓 Programme to follow. Session titles and the day-by-day schedule will be posted here closer to the event.
🎤 Call for PhD Pitches
⏱ 10-Minute Research Pitch
Are you a Pakistani PhD student in cryptography or security?
We invite Pakistani PhD students to share their work in a focused 10-minute pitch before an audience of peers, faculty, and visiting international experts — a genuine chance to put your research in front of the people shaping the field.
Based on our experience from previous years, capacity is limited, so only a selected fraction of applicants will be invited to present. Apply early and make your abstract count.
📖 Past Editions
2025
Intl Symposium + Competition
IACR Winter School · 13 intl experts
2024
PakCrypt Competition
Air University, Islamabad
2023
PakCrypt Competition
Inaugural Edition
🏨 Where to Stay — Nearby Hotels
ℹ️ Who is this for? Competition finalists travelling from outside the twin cities already receive free hostel accommodation (see above). The list below is for guests, family, and overseas visitors who prefer to arrange their own stay. All venues are in Islamabad; distances are to the NCCS / Air University campus in E-9. Prices are indicative and vary by season — confirm directly with the hotel.
🏆 Premium · 5-Star
| Hotel | Distance from E-9 | Est. Cost / Night |
|---|---|---|
| Islamabad Marriott Hotel F-5 | ~25 min drive | $115–175 (~$145) |
| Islamabad Serena Hotel G-5/1 | ~25–30 min drive | $109–180 (~$150) |
| Movenpick Hotel Centaurus F-8/4 | ~20 min drive | $90–195 (~$140) |
🏨 Mid-Range · 4-Star
| Hotel | Distance from E-9 | Est. Cost / Night |
|---|---|---|
| Best Western Premier Islamabad Shakar Parian | ~25 min drive | ~$80–120 |
| Avari Xpress Residences Faizabad | ~20 min drive | ~$70–100 |
| Canadian Inn Hotel E-11/3 | ~10–15 min drive · closest tier to campus | ~$50–80 |
| Walnut Hotel F-10 F-10 | ~15 min drive | ~$60–90 |
💰 Budget & Guesthouse · clean, well-reviewed, local feel
| Hotel | Distance from E-9 | Est. Cost / Night |
|---|---|---|
| Margalla Hills Residency E-11/3 | ~10 min drive | ~$30–50 |
| Grand Islamabad Hotel E-11/1 | ~10 min drive | ~$35–55 |
| Ambiance Boutique Art Hotel G-9/2 | ~15 min drive | ~$50–70 |
🔐 Go to Participant Portal
Round 1 is closed · Round 2 is in progress at pc26.pakcrypt.org · concludes Saturday, 07 November 2026
This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.