AhnLab, Inc. Takes First Place in the Private-Sector Division at International Digital Forensics Competition

[Financial News] AhnLab, Inc. researchers took first place in the private-sector division of an international digital forensics competition hosted by the National Intelligence Service. Their digital evidence analysis and incident-tracking capabilities using artificial intelligence (AI) earned recognition, extending their record to four consecutive years of awards.
AhnLab, Inc. said on the 11th that its True Education team, made up of the company’s researchers, received an Excellence Award in the problem-solving category at the awards ceremony for the Digital Forensics Challenge 2026, held at El Tower in Yangjae, Seoul, on the 10th.
The Digital Forensics Challenge is a global competition held annually by the National Intelligence Service to promote the development of related technologies and the training of experts. This year, 110 teams took part in the problem-solving category, tackling practical challenges such as using AI to identify coding vulnerabilities and tracing virtual assets.
True Education placed fourth overall, the highest finish among the 56 teams competing in the general division. Participants included Analysis Team Managers Song Tae-hyeon and Ryu Seong-hyeon, A-FIRST Team Manager Kim Wang-rok, and A-CERT Team Manager Lee Jun-gyu.
They used digital evidence obtained from system logs, memory, file systems, and other sources to trace the attackers’ routes of entry and actions, as well as their attempts to erase traces and conceal their activities. Although they used AI tools in their analysis, they verified their findings and provided supporting evidence based on their forensic expertise.
Another team made up of AhnLab, Inc. researchers, Forensic Mythos, placed 17th overall. AhnLab, Inc. previously received the top excellence award in 2023 and 2024, and the grand prize last year.
“Drawing on practical experience gained on the front lines of cybersecurity, which is rapidly changing because of AI, and our continuous research and development, we are making our mark every year in global digital forensics and incident analysis,” said Han Chang-kyu, head of AhnLab, Inc.’s research institute. “We will continue to strengthen our capabilities in forensics and threat analysis and response.”
[email protected] Choi Hye-rim Reporter