Cicada 3301. What does a person need to know to solve problems of this group (programming, history)?

Cicada Puzzles encompass a variety of media including the Internet, telephone, music, Linux boot images, digital images, and paper signs. Also Cicada use many methods of encryption, encoding and information hiding. The puzzles have references to a wide variety of books, poetry, art and music. Each puzzle is digitally signed with the same GnuPG key to verify authorship. Thus, it cannot be said that the Cicada puzzles require knowledge from people in any particular industry. Both high technical literacy and general erudition are required. But above all, the ability to find information is important.

You need to know enough, starting with "simple" logic and ending with such "black" things as hacking and the like with ::
As far as we know, their activities are currently suspended
here are a couple of answers to their tasks: habrahabr. ru

you need to know a lot. ordinary mortals will not get there, those who do not understand this, but want to. this works only for those who already understand the issue and are ready to improve