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Last September 3, Trend Micro Capture The Flag (CTF) 2024 concluded with exceptional performances from Holy Angel University – School of Computing (HAU-SoC), as two of their teams, CyberFoxes AETHER and CyberFoxes SPADE, clinched the Championship and 2nd place, respectively.

Held from August 30 to September 3, 2024, the university-level cybersecurity competition featured 187 teams across the Philippines, and the students from HAU proved to be a formidable force.

The competition, organized by global cybersecurity leader Trend Micro, aimed to challenge students in various areas of cybersecurity, such as vulnerability assessment, reverse engineering, digital forensics, and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence).

The participants showcased their skills in an intense two-hour final round, where CyberFoxes AETHER ultimately secured the top spot, with CyberFoxes SPADE finishing closely behind.

Throughout the preliminary rounds, the three Holy Angel University teams made a significant impact, earning spots in the finals. In the final round, CyberFoxes SPADE initially led, but in a dramatic turn, CyberFoxes AETHER surged ahead in the last minutes to claim 1st place, with SPADE finishing 2nd and DIAS in 6th place.

Dr. Marlon Tayag, Dean of the School of Computing, expressed his pride in the teams’ achievements, noting that the CyberFoxes’ performance is a testament to their skill and dedication. “The victory is not only a personal achievement for the team members but also a proud moment for the entire HAU-SoC community,” he said.

Mark Christopher Rivera, the team leader of CyberFoxes AETHER, shared his thoughts on the competition. He emphasized that the primary objective of the Trend Micro CTF is to help address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the Philippines. According to him, the competition was a crucial platform for collegiate students to hone their skills in a hands-on, real-world environment.

Rivera also highlighted that the competition not only tested technical abilities, but also teamwork, critical thinking, and adaptability. “The scope of cybersecurity is very wide; people often mistake it for just hacking, but there’s so much more involved,” he explained.

Rivera also mentioned how the event allows students to prepare for industry demands. “With competitions like this, students graduate with the skills necessary to immediately contribute to the field of cybersecurity,” he added. Looking forward, the School of Computing’s CyberFoxes teams continue to look ahead to future competitions.

According to Rivera, the next major event is the upcoming H4G Finals, where CyberFoxes SPADE will once again represent Holy Angel University, along with their participation in the ASEAN Cyber Shield Hacking Contest.

The CyberFoxes’ success at Trend Micro CTF 2024 has solidified Holy Angel University’s position as a leader in cybersecurity education, paving the way for future champions.

by Sophia Quimabao