APU Cyber Security Whizzes Secure Top 3 Spots in iTREXC2023

Team DinoDefend3rs and Darksid3rs finish second and third in the ITREXC 2023 Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, which is limited to the top 20 teams.

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DinoDefend3rs and Darksid3rs, two teams of talented Cyber Security, Information System Security, and Digital Forensics students from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), claimed 2nd and 3rd place respectively at the 4th International Innovation, Technology & Research Exhibition and Conference (iTREXC) 2023.

APU competed with the brightest cyber security minds in Malaysia at the iTREXC 2023 Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, held at Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS) on 26 to 27 October 2023.

Even though this was their first time competing in the iTREXC2023 CTF competition, both teams displayed excellent skills and expertise by completing all the challenges and exploiting all the vulnerabilities presented to them.

​UIS Dean of Science and Information Technology Dr. Juzlinda Mohd. Ghazali bestowed certificates upon DinoDefend3rs members (from left) Darrshan Rajenderan, Wong Zhi Zhen, and Yeo Jia Qi.

The DinoDefend3rs: Yeo Jia Qi, Wong Zhi Zhen, and Darrshan Rajenderan, a trio of cyber whizzes, were ecstatic to finish second in their CTF competition debut.

“Initially, we were convinced that we would not place in the top three, but we are never quick to give up, and we always give our all,” said Jia Qi on behalf of her team.

“We enjoy all of the iTREXC2023 CTF challenges, and the end result is a sweet success.”

Darksid3rs: (from left) Roheender Singh Sahota, Kelvin Teo Wen Loong, and Loh Kae Shyan also received their certificate from Dr. Juzlinda.

The Darksid3rs team, formed of Kelvin Teo Wen Loong, Loh Kae Shyan, and Roheender Singh Sahota, encountered their fair share of challenges during the competition, but they were able to learn and grow as a team.

“This competition threw us into the deep end of real-world cyber security technical scenarios, forcing us to adapt and overcome all challenges,” said Kelvin, representing the Darksid3rs.

“We were able to meet a lot of people, showcase our skills, and learn from other cyber security enthusiasts thanks to this competition.”

DinoDefend3rs and Darksid3rs won cash prizes of RM1,500 for second place and RM1,000 for third place, respectively.

Both winning teams were associated with the APU Forensics and Cyber Security Research Centre - Student Section (FSeC-SS) and were all mentored by FSeC-SS advisers, Ms. Nor Azlina Abdul Rahman and Ms. Noris Ismail.

The APU teams’ outstanding accomplishments at the iTREXC2023 CTF competition demonstrate the high quality of APU’s Cyber Security, Information System Security, and Digital Forensics programmes, as well as the dedication of its staff and students.

It also demonstrates that APU students are among Malaysia’s best professionals.