The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has once again proven its mettle in the field of cybersecurity, with its students making a clean sweep of the top three positions at the University of Malaya Cybersecurity Summit (UMCS) Capture the Flag (CTF) Finals 2025, held on 17th–18th May 2025.

Capture the Flag (CTF) in cybersecurity is an exercise in which participants attempt to find text strings, called “flags”, that are secretly hidden within purposefully vulnerable programmes or websites. These simulations are designed to test participants’ technical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving under pressure. 

The prestigious competition, hosted at the PASUM campus of Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, brought together some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity from across the country. It featured a wide spectrum of challenges, including forensics, blockchain, web exploitation, PWN (binary exploitation), and reverse engineering. 

APU’s exceptional performance at the event is a powerful testament to its robust academic foundation, hands-on learning approach, and strong industry-aligned training. These criteria formed future-ready professionals equipped with practical expertise and analytical rigour. 

APU’s Winning Teams at the Top of the Podium

Taking the Champion title was Team C0UGH1NGB4BY, comprising students Lee Kuang Weng, Wong Wei Jie, Hong Rui Yi, and Ruhan Aidan Amaradasa. They led the scoreboard with an impressive 6,178 points, showcasing top-tier technical skills and collaborative problem-solving throughout the Attack & Defence-style competition.

1st Runner-Up honours went to Team Squad Buster, made up of Lee Juen Jiet, Lim Jin Wei, Tan Nick Kean, and Jeremy Phang Kah Chun, who secured a solid 6,043 points.

Meanwhile, Team Formal Sweatpants – Shunsuke Tan Hei, Lim Shi Han, and Leong Han Ming – achieved 2nd Runner-Up with 5,286 points, completing the full sweep for APU. 

All three teams are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Cyber Security) programme, and are active committee members of APU’s Forensic and Cybersecurity Research Centre – Student Section (FSEC-SS). 

Preparing for Victory: From Jeopardy to Attack & Defence 

The path to victory began with a preliminary Jeopardy-style round held from 7th–13th April 2025, in which seven APU teams competed. Five of those teams qualified for the finals, which featured a highly challenging Attack & Defence format. 

In addition to the winning teams, Team Pusumrifa ranked 7th with 3,131 points, and Team Fresh Hasher finished 24th with 1,650 points. Other APU teams in the qualifiers included “just4fun” and “F1R3B0YZ”, reflecting the university’s depth of talent and team diversity. 

The competition was organised by PEKOM, UM's official computer science club, and co-organised by the Google Developer Group (GDG) on Campus Universiti Malaya, with key industry support from RE:HACK, a cybersecurity consultancy known for its focus on vulnerability research and community outreach. 

Beyond Competition: Real-World Industry Exposure 

The UMCS CTF Finals 2025 not only served as a battleground for cybersecurity challenges but also as a meaningful platform for students to engage with industry experts, network with peers, and receive mentorship from leading practitioners in the field. 

This achievement is especially significant as many of the APU participants are also involved in organising APU’s own flagship event – the upcoming Battle of Hackers competition – further underlining their commitment to cybersecurity excellence both in and out of the classroom. 

Mentorship that Matters 

This phenomenal success story could not have been written without the guidance and dedication of APU’s academic mentors. The students were coached and supported by Ms Nor Azlina Abd Rahman and Ms Noris Ismail, both Senior Lecturers at the School of Technology (SoT), along with Associate Professor Dr Thang Ka Fei, Senior Head of SoT. 

Their combined efforts in fostering a hands-on, research-driven, and industry-relevant learning ecosystem have played a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of cyber professionals. 

APU’s Cybersecurity Edge: Shaping Tomorrow’s Experts 

Reflecting on this outstanding victory, Assoc Prof Dr Thang Ka Fei shared: 

“This achievement speaks volumes about the calibre of our students and the strength of our cybersecurity curriculum. At APU, we are committed to cultivating not just academic excellence but real-world capabilities. These results reaffirm our standing as a leading institution in producing highly skilled, industry-ready cybersecurity professionals who are prepared to take on the evolving digital landscape.” 

With consistent wins and growing industry recognition, APU continues to lead the charge in developing cyber talent for the future – a future that looks brighter and more secure with every competition.