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Don't Get Played — an initiative by Dubai Electronic Security Center
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Don't Get Played · Competitions

Competitions

Four challenges. One mission: turn cyber-awareness into something people want to watch, share, and play. Pick your category and compete for a share of the prize pool.

AED 235,000Total prize worth

The line-up

Four challenges, one public vote

Each challenge is built for a different creator, from social storytellers to security professionals. Explore the categories below.

How it runs

Timeline

Key dates from launch to the Grand Finale.

  1. Oct 1
    Competition opens
    All competitions launch.
  2. Oct 14
    Submissions close
    No further entries accepted.
  3. Oct 15-18
    Eligibility & compliance screening, assessment & scoring
    Entries checked for eligibility, files, duration, required information, AI disclosure and licensing, then all eligible entries reviewed against the competition criteria.
  4. Oct 19-20
    Organising team review
    Shortlisted entries reviewed for accuracy and suitability.
  5. Oct 21
    Final jury & management approval
    Category winners and People's Choice finalists confirmed.
  6. Oct 22
    Finalist preparation
    Voting pages and assets prepared.
  7. Oct 23, 12:00 PM → Oct 25, 11:59 PM GST
    People's Choice Award: public voting
    The public votes for the shortlisted entries.
  8. Oct 26
    Voting validation
    Invalid or duplicate votes removed; People's Choice result confirmed.
  9. Oct 27
    Contact & verify all winners
    Identity, eligibility, attendance and prize details confirmed.
  10. Oct 28
    Final approvals & event preparation
    Winner assets, certificates, posts and event running order finalised.
  11. Oct 29
    Grand Finale
    Winners announced.

Help

Frequently asked questions

No. Taking part is completely free.

The fine print

AI Use & Disclosure

AI tools are permitted across the creative competitions, subject to the requirements of each category. Where AI is used, participants must disclose the tools used and briefly explain how AI contributed to the final work.

  • Participants remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, intellectual property rights and appropriateness of all submitted content.
  • AI-generated content must demonstrate meaningful human creative direction. Raw or unedited AI output alone will not be considered sufficient where creative contribution forms part of the competition criteria.
  • Failure to disclose the use of AI, where required, may result in disqualification.

How AI applies by competition

  • The Cybersecurity Spotlight Award (1): AI optional. Acting, presenting, filmmaking, animation and AI-assisted content are all equally eligible.
  • AI Cyber Creativity Challenge (2): AI required, and must contribute meaningfully to the creative work. Unedited or raw AI output alone is not eligible.
  • University AI Cyber Series (3): AI required, and should contribute meaningfully to the four-part series.
  • Technical Challenge: Boss of SOC (4): To be confirmed with Splunk whether AI tools are permitted during the technical challenge.

The fine print

Competition Rules, Terms & Privacy Notice

  • Open to UAE residents of any age.
  • Each category has its own eligibility. The Cybersecurity Spotlight Award is for UAE content creators aged 18 and over who hold a valid UAE Media Council Advertiser Permit.
  • Participants under 18 need permission from a parent or guardian.
  • DESC staff, judges, sponsors, and their immediate families cannot win prizes.