18 June 2026
University of Law Students Crowned National Champions at CyberHack 2026
The University of Law is proud to celebrate the outstanding success of its student team, Zer01nJ3ct, who were crowned National Champions at CyberHack 2026, a national-level cyber security hackathon hosted at UWS London Campus on 3 June 2026.
The event brought together talented cyber security students from across the United Kingdom to take part in a challenging, industry-focused competition designed to test technical ability, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure.
A National-Level Achievement
CyberHack 2026 provided students with the opportunity to apply their cyber security knowledge to real-world scenarios in a competitive environment. Teams were required to work under time pressure, develop practical solutions, and present their ideas to a panel of experienced judges and cyber security professionals.
The University of Law team, Zer01nJ3ct, delivered an exceptional performance and secured 1st place, becoming the National Champions of CyberHack 2026. The winning team received a prize package worth £5,300, including training courses, Amazon vouchers, and access to cyber security symposia.
The runner-up position was awarded to Team KMCS3 from the University of Kent, who also demonstrated excellent technical and professional capability and received a prize package worth £4,600.
Solving a Real-World Cyber Security Problem
As part of the competition, the University of Law team developed a practical solution called the CVE-to-My-Stack Translator. The tool was designed to help organisations identify which published cyber vulnerabilities are relevant to the specific software and systems they use.
This is a major challenge for many small organisations, schools, charities, and smaller IT teams, who may receive large numbers of vulnerability alerts but lack the time and resources to assess which ones matter most. The team’s solution helped filter large volumes of CVE data into a shorter, prioritised, and more actionable list.
The project demonstrated the students’ ability to connect cyber security theory with practical industry needs. It also showed their understanding of vulnerability management, risk prioritisation, and the importance of communicating technical information clearly to non-specialist users.
Student Success and Employability
The achievement reflects the strength of practice-based learning and the value of giving students opportunities to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom. Throughout the competition, the students demonstrated teamwork, resilience, creativity, and professional judgement.
Their success is particularly significant because cyber security employers increasingly value graduates who can work collaboratively, solve real-world problems, and communicate technical findings clearly. CyberHack 2026 gave students a platform to develop and demonstrate these skills in a national setting.
Dr Hewa Balisane, who supported and coached the University of Law team, said the result was a proud moment for the students and the University:
“I am incredibly proud of our students for becoming National Champions at CyberHack 2026. They showed outstanding teamwork, resilience, technical ability, and problem-solving under pressure. This achievement reflects their hard work, commitment, and passion for cyber security.”
A Strong Platform for Future Cyber Talent
CyberHack 2026 was delivered with the support of a wide network of academic, professional, and industry partners, including UWS London Cyber Club, SOEBIT_Cybersecurity, University of Kent, CSE Connect, The Education Group London, the Institute of Cyber Security for Society, Cyber London, KMCC, KMCS3, and the UWS Cyber Security Programme.
Special recognition is also due to the organisers, judges, partners, volunteers, and academic colleagues who helped deliver a successful and memorable national event. Their work created an important platform for students to engage with real-world cyber security challenges and connect with the wider cyber security community.
The success of the University of Law team demonstrates the importance of industry-focused learning, employability-driven activities, and opportunities that allow students to test their knowledge in practical and competitive environments.
Looking Ahead
The University of Law congratulates Team Zer01nJ3ct on becoming National Champions of CyberHack 2026, and also congratulates Team KMCS3 from the University of Kent on their excellent runner-up achievement.
CyberHack 2026 has shown the strength of emerging cyber talent across the UK and the value of collaboration between higher education, industry partners, and student communities.
This achievement is not only a proud moment for the winning students, but also a powerful example of how practical cyber security education can inspire, prepare, and empower the next generation of cyber professionals.
