Dedaub coordinated the Secureum RACE-32

Smart contracts are the underpinning of blockchain technology, and they present unique security challenges. To address this, platforms like Secureum have emerged, focusing on training researchers and developers to navigate and mitigate security risks, and we at Dedaub decided we wanted to partner Secureum in this mission.

Why we support the Secureum RACE

We decided to be part of the Secureum RACE because we believe hands-on challenges are the best way to learn. Security isn’t something you can fully grasp from reading papers or attending lectures—you need to get your hands dirty, confront real-world vulnerabilities, and think like an attacker.

The security of smart contracts is challenging due to the inability to modify the code once it goes live. This makes it extremely difficult to fix bugs or vulnerabilities. It’s even more complex, because contracts frequently interact with other contracts and different platforms, which adds even more complexity and multiplies the risk factor.

Secureum platform empowers researchers and developers to help improve their technical skills for what is needed in the challenge to secure Web3 technologies. 

As the designer of RACE-32, we have the privilege of observing Web3 researchers and developers navigate complex security issues that mirror real-world vulnerabilities in Ethereum smart contracts. This allows us to witness firsthand and see how they apply their knowledge to devise creative and effective solutions.

As well as this, we see how researchers and developers grow in their ability to identify risks and exploit weaknesses, both of which are critical  for the security of the Web3 ecosystem.

Why the RACEs are important 

The Secureum RACE aims to create a community of researchers and developers who think critically about security. It’s an opportunity to expand their skills and immerse themselves in the world of Web3 security.

By addressing actual vulnerabilities in smart contracts, participants acquire necessary technical knowledge and develop the mindset to safeguard decentralized applications in real-world scenarios. 

“RACEs are hands-on, immersive, and, frankly, a bit relentless—just like the threats we’re up against.” Yannis Smaragdakis, Dedaub Co-funder 

Designing the RACE-32

We wanted much more than your standard easily graded competition, so we created the Secureum RACE 32 to be an educational challenge. Our main aim, therefore, was to encourage participants to delve deeply into complex smart contract security issues. With this in mind, The RACE is designed to create an experience that participants can refer to for a long time rather than single out the top performers based on scores.

Even though the time constraint made it challenging to understand the depth of the questions thoroughly, we stressed that the competition aims at learning and gaining insights. We urged participants not to feel disheartened if their scores hadn’t met their own high expectations. Instead, we praised some participants for putting together the solutions, pointing out that this would make the RACE a valuable educational resource beyond just the competition.

This focus on education shows Dedaub’s commitment to helping the smart contract developer community grow. This is the backbone of Dedaub’s mantra as our co-founders both have strong academic backgrounds and always value teaching and sharing knowledge. With this in mind, one of the company’s core values is to empower the next generation by educating and supporting future blockchain security experts and help them reach their full potential. 

With challenges like Secureum RACE 32, we create real-world learning opportunities that give researchers and developers practical skills and deeper understanding. Our aim is to help them succeed in the Web3 space.

What is Secureum?

Secureum is a portmanteau of “Security” and “Ethereum” and their focus is safeguarding the Ethereum ecosystem through expert training and challenges. It’s an extensive educational platform that focuses on Ethereum smart contract security, providing a variety of resources and training programs. These include:

Secureum RACEs: Interactive quizzes that assess participants’ understanding of smart contract vulnerabilities. These quizzes are part of Secureum’s efforts to enhance practical security skills.

Community and Events: Secureum hosts events like TrustX to advance the Ethereum security ecosystem.

In summary, Secureum is committed to educating and preparing individuals for roles in Ethereum security through structured learning and practical challenges. Learn more