D3finitely_N0t_AI_G3nerated Emerges Cybersecurity & Forensics Champion In ICTF 2023

APU Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Ts. Dr. Murali Raman (seventh from the left) presented prizes to Yeo Jia Qi, Chen Lik Ken, and Loh Kae Shyan, the ICTF 2023 first-place winners from team D3finitely_N0t_AI_G3nerated, accompanied by the team’s mentors Ms. Nor Azlina Abdul Rahman, Ms. Noris Ismail and others committee members.

In-demand cybersecurity and forensics talent showcased their cybersecurity, forensic computing, and ethical hacking skills through the Internal Capture the Flag (ICTF) Competition 2023 organised by the APU Forensic Security Research Center - Student Section (APU FSEC-SS) with the help from Mr Shahab Alizadeh for technical support.

A total of 57 groups participated in this competition, consisting of one to three students in one group and some even participated in this non-stop 6-hour competition solo.

The 1st runner-up for ICTF 2023 is Team Darryl’s Crew, which consists of Dhana Maximilian, Lim Hong Wye, and Mohamed Abdihakim Ahmed.

Team D3finitely_N0t_AI_G3nerated: Yeo Jia Qi, Chen Lik Ken, and Loh Kae Shyan took first place, team Darryl’s Crew: Dhana Maximilian, Lim Hong Wye, and Mohamed Abdihakim Ahmed came in second, and team Putbadly: Tan Szi Wee, Toong Xin Yi, and Wong Kah Ying came in third.

In addition, Solomon or Tai Eason, who took fifth place, was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner since he entered the competition solo and the judges selected him because of his timing and ability to complete each obstacle.

Jia Qi (team leader) claimed that this was the first time for D3finitely_N0t_AI_G3nerated to compete in the ICTF and made them realize how important teamwork is to win any tournament as each team member has different skill levels across all categories.

As a result, they divided the challenge categories in accordance with their own specialties.

2nd runner-up team Putbadly: Tan Szi Wee, Toong Xin Yi, and Wong Kah Ying

“The guidance and advice of our mentors, Ms Nor Azlina Abdul Rahman and Ms Noris Ismail was invaluable. Winning a tournament involves effort, commitment, room for improvement, and a little bit of luck”.

“The challenges in this competition gave us the chance to hone our forensics and cybersecurity technical skills while also giving us the chance to network with other industry professionals,” she stated.

Team D3finitely_N0t_AI_G3nerated enjoyed competing in ICTF 2023 because it was their first time competing in a completely physical CTF event at APU.

“It is awesome to be able to collaborate and discuss with teammates. We had trouble connecting to the competition platform during the first half of the competition, but we kept trying, we did not give up, and in the end, we were able to solve them,” she said, adding that “APU courses and modules give us an introduction to the topics related to the field that we study and as a student, we put more effort to dive deep into the specific topic that we are interested in learning more about it.”

Meantime, on 25 November 2023, team D3finitely_N0t_AI_G3nerated, Darryl’s Crew, and Putbadly will represent APU at the ASEAN Battle of Hackers.