Curtin Malaysia cybersecurity students dominate BERAMBEH Capture The Flag (CTF) 2024

Miri, Sarawak – 12 November 2024 –Curtin University Malaysia’s (Curtin Malaysia) cybersecurity students have once again proven their prowess on a regional stage, securing top positions in the BERAMBEH Capture The Flag (CTF) 2024 competition in Kuching.

Competing against top talents from across the region, Curtin Malaysia’s teams – HotChocolate and CTF Monkeys – demonstrated exceptional skills and teamwork, with HotChocolate clinching the coveted first-place title.

Held at the Borneo Cultures Museum, the event was organised by Raw Security (rawSEC), a non-profit community-driven initiative focused on fostering local cybersecurity talent. The competition provided an intense platform for young cyber experts to test their abilities in real-world challenges, tackling tasks designed to simulate the latest cybersecurity threats and strategies.

HotChocolate, composed of Kelvin Voon Zhi Ming, Law Boon Jun, and Michael Chai Chon Yun, not only captured the top prize but also elevated Curtin Malaysia’s reputation as a leader in cybersecurity education. Meanwhile, CTF Monkeys – represented by Moi Hong Shen, Kenzon Yeoh, and Gordon Liew Yew Yang – secured an impressive fifth-place finish, underscoring the depth of talent within Curtin Malaysia’s cybersecurity programme.

Both teams were mentored by Dr. Sivaraman Eswaran, Senior Lecturer and Cybersecurity Programme Coordinator at Curtin Malaysia. His mentorship, combined with the students’ commitment, was instrumental in their success.

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements in both the BERAMBEH CTF and the recent Curtin Malaysia CTF Hackathon 2024 v2.0,” said Terence Tan, Head of Curtin Malaysia’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “These achievements speak volumes about their technical mastery, resilience, and ability to thrive under pressure. We are confident that these experiences will serve them well as they continue to grow as cybersecurity professionals.”

The students also recently demonstrated their expertise in Curtin Malaysia’s own CTF Hackathon 2024 v2.0, a 24-hour nationwide cybersecurity competition organised in partnership with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC). Here, HotChocolate, with team member Gigi Hii Shu Qi, placed in the Top 10, further solidifying Curtin Malaysia’s role as a nurturing ground for future cybersecurity leaders.

The CTF competitions exemplify Curtin Malaysia’s dedication to bridging academic learning with real-world cybersecurity challenges. “These students are gaining invaluable experience that will undoubtedly propel their careers as cybersecurity professionals,” added Tan.

RawSEC’s CTF event is part of its broader mission to connect education with industry, hosting CTF challenges, workshops, and meetups to develop Malaysia’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals. The success of Curtin Malaysia’s teams in these highly competitive events demonstrates both the quality of their training and their potential to make a significant impact in the cybersecurity field.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

HotChocolate team poses with organisers after their victory at BERAMBEH CTF 2024

CTF Monkeys celebrate their impressive fifth-place finish

Curtin Malaysia teams share their success with fellow competitors

Participants fully engaged in solving BERAMBEH CTF 2024’s complex challenges