It all began in a corner classroom of a university campus in Greater Noida, a place buzzing with ambition and youthful curiosity. Back then, it wasn’t about fame or glory—it was about the sheer thrill of solving problems that no one else dared to touch. That’s where Hackorn – The Berserk was born. Not with fanfare or headlines, but with a simple goal: to build something meaningful with like-minded individuals who were ready to dive deep into the world of cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and CTFs (Capture The Flag competitions).
The First Spark
When I founded Hackorn, we were a handful of curious minds, not prodigies. Just a few students from one campus, driven by the hunger to learn and a commitment to push each other forward. Every day, for one to two hours, we met. No fancy labs, no high-end systems—just pure dedication, tangled minds, and a shared Google Doc filled with challenges.
We practiced binaries, web exploits, steganography, cryptography—you name it. Sometimes we’d get stuck for hours on a single problem. But we didn’t quit. We learned how to learn. I wasn’t just their leader, I was their comrade-in-keyboard. I saw them struggle, stumble, but stand back up every time. That’s when I knew we were on to something greater than just a CTF team.
The First Victory That Changed Everything
The real turning point came when we participated in a versatile CTF competition—a high-stakes one, with a prize pool of ₹20,000. We ranked 3rd.
You might wonder—why not first?
Because we were still learning. And that’s okay.
We weren’t just here to win a trophy, we were here to build champions, not for a day, but for a lifetime. This was a marathon, not a sprint. And that 3rd place? It was our gold medal.
But what we did after winning is what truly defined Hackorn’s soul.
Not Just a Celebration—A Statement
We didn’t rush to celebrate in a mall or throw a party at some café. That wasn’t us. Instead, we split the prize money into three thoughtful parts:
- One part was reserved—because every responsible hacker knows the importance of backup and planning for rainy days.
- One part went into Hackorn merchandise—T-shirts, hoodies, and stickers. Not for ego, but for identity. We were no longer individuals—we were a tribe.
- The final part funded a ‘Rasna Drive’. On one of the hottest days in Greater Noida, we set up a roadside stall and served cold Rasna to delivery boys, auto drivers, cabbies, and anyone braving the sun. It wasn’t about charity. It was about gratitude. These were the people who made our daily lives easier, and it was time someone recognized them.
That moment taught the team more than any binary exploit ever could. They learned financial management, social responsibility, team celebration, and most importantly, how to give back.
Today: From a Team to a Movement
Fast forward to today, I am no longer alone in this journey. I have an entire force—a generation of ethical hackers who were once students, and now mentors. People who lived the Hackorn philosophy and are ready to pass it on.
And now, it’s their turn. Their turn to lead. Their turn to teach. Their turn to give back—not just to the next batch of students, but to society and the nation.
The Grand Vision: Hackorn Across CampusesWe’re ready to take Hackorn from the single classroom in Greater Noida to every willing university across India.
Here’s what we’re planning:
Hackorn Campus Cells
We’ll set up official Hackorn chapters in universities—starting with local campuses in Greater Noida and then expanding into Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and beyond.
Mentorship for Life
Each campus team won’t be abandoned after a workshop or a bootcamp. Hackorn members will mentor them for life—helping them prepare for CTFs, internships, and real-world cybersecurity challenges.
National Hackorn League (NHL)
We plan to organize a year-round CTF league among all Hackorn chapters. With monthly challenges, real rewards, and leaderboard rankings, this will keep the fire alive.
Hackorn Social Impact Initiatives
We want every Hackorn chapter to conduct one social impact drive every semester. Be it a cyber awareness campaign in schools, helping the elderly with digital safety, or small acts like Rasna drives—we’re hackers who heal, not harm.
Hackorn Grants
A part of our future sponsorships and funding will go into micro-grants. These grants will be given to students who want to buy a better laptop, pay for an exam fee, or travel to attend a cybersecurity conference. We don’t want lack of money to stop curious minds from reaching their potential.
Why This Matters
Because the world needs more than just engineers—it needs ethical warriors.
Because cybersecurity is national security.
Because the next big breach might come from a 0-day exploit, but the next big defense can come from a Hackorn member, who was once taught in a college basement over chai and CTF writeups.
Because we owe it to the future Harsh Vermas, the quiet students who just need a team and a bit of belief to blossom.
Want to Join Us?
We’re always looking for passionate individuals—whether you’re a student, a mentor, or someone who just wants to contribute to a cause that’s bigger than all of us.
If you want to establish a Hackorn chapter in your university, mentor budding hackers, or support our initiatives financially or logistically—reach out.
📬 Drop me an email at [email protected]
Together, we can redefine what it means to be a hacker.
Not just a breaker of systems, but a builder of futures.
Not just a solver of puzzles, but a servant of people.
This is not the end of our journey—it’s just the beginning.
Welcome to Hackorn. ⚔️
