Quick Highlights
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) |
| Job Role | Ethical Hacking Contest – HackQuest Season 11 |
| Experience | Student contest; prior work experience not specified |
| Qualification | B.E., B.Tech, M.E., M.Tech, BCA, MCA, B.Sc./B.S., M.Sc./M.S. |
| Skills Required | Ethical hacking, cybersecurity, penetration testing, web security, digital forensics |
| Job Location | Online rounds; in-person finale at a TCS campus |
| Expected Salary | Not Specified; this is a contest, not a confirmed job offer |
| Last Date to Apply | Not Specified |
Job Overview
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced HackQuest Season 11, an ethical hacking and cybersecurity contest for students graduating in 2027. The competition aims to identify talented individuals with an interest in security research, vulnerability assessment, and ethical hacking.
Participants compete individually across three rounds, beginning with an online Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge, followed by remotely proctored penetration testing and an in-person grand finale. The top 10 ethical hackers will be selected through the final evaluation.
Registration is free, and eligible candidates must have a valid TCS Reference ID (CT/DT number) registered under the IT category on TCS NextStep.
Eligibility Criteria/Qualification
I. Candidates must be enrolled in a recognized Indian college or university and graduating in the 2027 academic year.
II. Eligible qualifications include B.E., B.Tech, M.E., M.Tech, BCA, MCA, B.Sc./B.S., and M.Sc./M.S.
III. Participation is strictly individual. Team or group entries are not permitted.
IV. A valid TCS Reference ID (CT/DT number) registered under the IT category on TCS NextStep is mandatory.
V. Candidates should review the official contest portal for any additional eligibility requirements.
Required Skills (Must Have)
I. Knowledge of ethical hacking and cybersecurity fundamentals.
II. Understanding of web application security, vulnerabilities, and penetration testing concepts.
III. Problem-solving and analytical skills for identifying and investigating security issues.
IV. Ability to document findings and submit clear, step-by-step technical reports.
V. Familiarity with relevant security topics such as cryptography, reverse engineering, digital forensics, and incident response can be beneficial.
Batch
I. Eligible batch: 2027 graduating students.
II. Applicants must be pursuing one of the listed eligible degrees at a recognized Indian college or university.
III. The contest is intended for individual participants, not teams.
What Will You Do? (Responsibilities)
I. Round 1 – Online Capture the Flag (CTF): Solve cybersecurity challenges over a six-hour period, covering beginner, intermediate, and expert difficulty levels.
II. Submit a Technical Report: Capture screenshots of flags with visible timestamps and submit the required step-by-step methodology report using the official template before the deadline. Failure to submit the report results in disqualification, according to the provided contest details.
III. Round 2 – Remote Proctored Penetration Testing: Shortlisted candidates attempt hosted security challenges while being monitored remotely. A webcam must remain on throughout this round.
IV. Round 3 – In-Person Grand Finale: Finalists attend an on-site evaluation at a TCS campus for approximately 3–4 hours, present their approach, and answer questions from the TCS jury.
V. Follow Contest Rules: Avoid tools that generate massive automated traffic or interfere with website functionality, as these are prohibited.
Expected Salary & Perks
I. Registration Fee: ₹0; participation is free.
II. Recognition: An opportunity to compete for a place among the top 10 ethical hackers.
III. Practical Exposure: Test cybersecurity knowledge through structured challenges involving web security, exploitation, cryptography, and other security domains.
IV. Salary or Job Offer: No salary, prize amount, internship, or guaranteed job offer is specified in the supplied announcement.
Selection Process
I. Round 1: Six-hour online Capture the Flag challenge, evaluated on flags captured, report quality, and methodology.
II. Round 2: Remote-proctored penetration testing for candidates shortlisted from Round 1.
III. Round 3: In-person grand finale at a TCS campus, where finalists present their solutions and answer questions from the jury.
IV. Final Selection: The contest aims to identify the top 10 ethical hackers.
How To Apply
I. Visit TCS NextStep and register under the IT category, not BPS. Complete your details and obtain your CT/DT Reference ID.
II. Open the official TCS HackQuest portal and register using your valid reference ID.
III. Follow the portal’s instructions to obtain your contest credentials. Keep these credentials confidential.
IV. Check the official portal for registration deadlines, contest schedules, and any additional instructions before applying.
