Sherlock Homies | ACUMEN 2025 | CSE Fest | Vasavi College of Engineering

About the Event

Sherlock Homies is a cyberpunk detective challenge that tests your analytical thinking, logical reasoning, and digital forensic skills. Teams are presented with a complex cyber mystery involving data breaches, encrypted messages, and digital clues. Your mission is to solve the case by connecting the dots, uncovering hidden evidence, and identifying the culprit before time runs out.

This immersive event combines elements of escape rooms, puzzle-solving, and digital forensics with a futuristic cyberpunk twist. Participants will need to analyze network logs, decrypt messages, follow digital breadcrumbs, and interrogate AI witnesses to piece together what really happened. Can your team match wits with the mysterious cyber-criminal?

Date & Time

April 11, 2025

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Venue

Digital Forensics Lab

CSE Department

Team Size

2-4 Members

Prizes

1st Place: ₹7,000

2nd Place: ₹4,000

3rd Place: ₹2,000

Challenge Format

The Mystery

A high-profile tech company has experienced a catastrophic data breach. Critical information has been stolen, and there are signs of insider involvement. Multiple suspects have been identified, each with their own motives, technical capabilities, and digital footprints. Your team must examine the digital evidence, interview virtual witnesses, and decode encrypted messages to identify the culprit.

Investigation Elements

Network traffic analysis logs from the time of the breach
Digital forensic evidence from suspect devices
Encrypted messages that need to be deciphered
AI witness interviews with company employees
Physical evidence that must be connected to digital clues
Dark web marketplace traces that may reveal the buyer of the stolen data

Technical Skills Required

Cryptography

Basic understanding of encryption techniques and the ability to crack simple ciphers

Network Analysis

Ability to read network logs and identify suspicious activities

Logic & Deduction

Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Social Engineering

Skill in questioning virtual witnesses to extract crucial information

Rules & Submission

Investigation Procedure

Teams will receive a digital case file with initial evidence at the start of the event
Additional evidence will be unlocked as teams progress through the investigation
Teams can request hints but will lose points for each hint used
All investigative work must be documented in a digital case log provided to each team
The final submission must include a detailed report explaining who committed the breach, how it was executed, and the supporting evidence

Scoring Criteria

Correct identification of the culprit: 40 points
Accurate explanation of the breach method: 25 points
Quality and thoroughness of evidence presented: 20 points
Creative problem-solving approaches: 15 points
Time efficiency (bonus): Up to 10 extra points

Frequently Asked Questions

Is prior cybersecurity knowledge required?

While basic understanding of computer networks and security concepts will be helpful, the challenges are designed to be accessible to all computer science students. The focus is more on logical reasoning and problem-solving than on advanced technical skills.

What tools will we need to bring?

Each team should bring at least one laptop with internet capabilities. All specialized tools needed for the investigation will be provided in a virtual environment accessible through a web browser.

How is this different from a regular CTF?

Unlike traditional CTF challenges that focus on independent technical problems, Sherlock Homies presents an interconnected narrative where each piece of evidence relates to a larger mystery. The focus is on weaving together technical findings with logical deduction to solve the case.

Can team members work separately on different aspects of the challenge?

Yes and no. While you can divide tasks among team members, all evidence and findings must be connected in your final submission. We recommend close collaboration as many clues only make sense when viewed together with other pieces of evidence.