KINAITICS: Enhancing Cybersecurity Education Using AI-Based Tools and Gamification

In the vanguard of the digital age, cybersecurity education emerges as a pivotal force in the ever-evolving threat landscape that challenges individuals, organizations, and nations alike. Cybersecurity education serves as the foundational layer that empowers stakeholders to understand, anticipate, and mitigate potential cyber threats. Furthermore, in an era where artificial intelligence systems are ubiquitous, they can be both the target and the tools of sophisticated cyberattacks. This paper presents a comprehensive narrative that intertwines the foundational importance of cybersecurity education with the application of gamification strategies and the creation of a cyber range for hosting real-life use cases and AI-based systems related to several domains aligned with a European project. This work meticulously documents the execution and outcomes of two hackathon Capture-The-Flag events, offering a comprehensive analysis of participant engagement, performance metrics, and the invaluable lessons distilled from these immersive experiences. The synthesis of theoretical knowledge with real-world application encapsulated in these events epitomizes the essence of effective cybersecurity training, charting a course for future endeavours in the domain.