Asean Battle of Hackers 2023: Highlights and cybersecurity achievements

• 409 participants, forming 141 teams from 29 universities, participated in the event
• APU teams secured the championship & 2nd runner-up positions in the local category

The ASEAN Battle of Hackers (ABOH) 2023, a leading cybersecurity competition held on December 2, 2023, garnered interest with its innovative approach and international appeal. The event highlighted resilience, innovation, and collaboration within the regional cybersecurity community. 

In total, 409 participants from 141 teams, including 29 universities, engaged in both local and Asean categories, with the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) contributing 50 teams.

Led by Nor Azlina Abd Rahman and Noris Ismail, advisors of APU Forensics and Cyber Security Research Center - Student Section (FSeC-SS), the event stood out by expanding to an Asean-wide competition. This decision marked a departure from the previous year's format, broadening the competition internationally and introducing a workshop format that contributed to the event’s success. University students from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, and Singapore participated, both physically and online, highlighting the event's adaptability and inclusivity.

In the Asean category, Team Oubaitori from the National Institute of Technology Malang, Indonesia, secured the champion position, followed by Team iMonkee Pro Max Ultra, made up of students from the National University of Singapore, Team Bømbåstïç S¡dë £¥€ of Politeknik Mersing Johor, Malaysia, clinched 2nd and 3rd places, respectively.

In the local category, Team Kasturi from APU emerged as the champion, followed by Team Cincai of Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology as 1st runner-up. Team L0stPaR4d0x from APU secured 2nd runner-up. 

The Jeopardy-style Capture the Flag event kicked off with an opening ceremony, followed by a six-hour competition which took place both offline and online.

ABOH 2023's core was its diverse Jeopardy-style CTF challenges developed by the APU FSEC-SS. Challenges covered cryptography, forensics, web vulnerabilities, reverse engineering, and more, testing participants' knowledge and skills comprehensively. Judging criteria emphasised cybersecurity skills and ethical conduct, with teams earning points for solving challenges. 

Additionally, ABOH 2023 brought elements such as internationalisation, a workshop format, and the release of a comprehensive guide titled "A Beginner's Guide to CTF" on Amazon, authored by Nor Azlina Abd Rahman and committee members Chen Lik Ken and Yeo Jia Qi.

Moreover, the event hosted a Threat Hunting Workshop led by Dr. Meisam from the EC-Council, attracting 176 participants. This hands-on session focused on enriching participants' skill sets and providing valuable insights into real-world cybersecurity challenges.

The success of the event underscores the dedication of its organisers, the showcased skills of participants, and the evolution of ABOH into a premier Capture the Flag competition in the Asean region. As Malaysia’s premier digital tech university, APU takes pride in orchestrating the conclusion of this impactful event.

Central to the university's cybersecurity excellence is the Cyber Security Talent Zone featuring a Cyber Threats Simulation and Response Centre (Cyber Range) and a vigilant Security Operations Centre monitoring real-time data from a global cyber-attacks database.

APU's commitment extends to its curriculum across programmes such as BSc (Hons) Information Technology with a Specialism in Information Systems Security, BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security), BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Digital Forensics, and the Master of Science in Cyber Security. Here, theoretical knowledge integrates with practical content, preparing students for the dynamic challenges of the cybersecurity landscape.

Being appointed among the pioneer group of universities as a premier digital tech institution by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation since 2017, APU's strength and dedication in producing high-quality graduates are further underscored by its achievements in the Mdec’s PDTI Outstanding Faculty Award 2022.