Success at Cybersecurity CTF Competition for APU Teams

Team POPO and Darksid3rs from APU’s Forensic & Cybersecurity Research Center - Student Section (FSEC-SS) dominate both virtual and physical challenges in the inaugural Intervarsity Capture The Flag (CTF) competition. 

The Amazing Cyberhunt, also known as the UTAR-FICT Inaugural Intervarsity Capture The Flag (CTF) Competition, is the first of its kind cybersecurity competition, held on 22nd July 2023 at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Kampar, Perak.

This CTF Competition was organized by the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) of UTAR, in collaboration with other regional organisations, namely Hilti ASIA IT Services Sdn. Bhd., LGMS and iPay88 (M) Sdn. Bhd.

The goal of the competition was to attract young talents and provide them with a platform to test and enhance their cybersecurity skills, knowledge and problem-solving abilities in a practical and competitive environment.

20 teams from eight universities participated in this competitive tournament: UTAR, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Selangor (UNISEL) and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).

Two teams from APU’s Forensic & Cybersecurity Research Center - Student Section (FSEC-SS) participated in the competition which included both virtual and physical challenges.

The virtual phase featured challenges that tested participants’ knowledge of cyber security concepts and techniques while the physical phase consisted of a series of challenges that required participants to search for clues that lead to capturing the flag.

From left, team POPO: Wesley Wong Kee Han, David Lim Wei Xun, Damien Wong Shan Ming, and Kelvin Teo Wen Loong, was able to secure first place in the competition, being the champion in The Amazing Cyberhunt CTF competition.

Team POPO, which consists of Wesley Wong Kee Han, David Lim Wei Xun, Damien Wong Shan Ming, and Kelvin Teo Wen Loong, was able to secure first place in the competition. The points gained by POPO were far higher than the rest of the teams.

Team Darksid3rs, which consists of Roheender Singh Sahota, Hong Yen Wai, Yeo Jia Qi, and Loh Kae Shyan, also won the 2nd runner-up of the competition.

Both teams were accompanied by FSEC-SS Advisors Ms. Nor Azlina Abdul Rahman, Ms. Noris Ismail and supporting lecturers from School of Technology (SoT), Ms. Zaireeda Mohd. Fauzee and Mr. Mohd. Hanis Jenalis.   

According to David, who represents team POPO, this is not their first time competing in the CTF competition, and all members are capable of completing the tasks allocated to them. 

“Whoever finishes their job will help other members and we are fortunate enough to win first place.

“APU courses teach fundamentals to strengthen our understanding, but the competition further developed our skills through hands-on, problem-solving challenges against equally competitive teams,” he said.

The competition’s 2nd runners-up were team Darksid3rs: (from left) Roheender Singh Sahota, Hong Yen Wai, Yeo Jia Qi, and Loh Kae Shyan.

As representatives of team Darksid3rs, Yeo added that they all enjoyed and appreciated working together even though knowing that they had different ideas and knowledge, allowing them to win the competition. 

“APU courses and modules introduce us to topics related to the field that we study. Our responsibility as students, on the other hand, is to put in greater effort to dive deeply into the specific topic related to which we are curious. 

“These kinds of competitions allow us to develop our technical skills in cybersecurity and forensics while also allowing us to network with other professionals in the field,” she said. 

Congratulations to Team POPO and Team Darksid3rs for their outstanding performance!