APU celebrates a proud milestone as its cybersecurity undergraduates clinched top positions and pioneered challenge creation at Siber Siaga Code Combat 2025, showcasing leadership, expertise, and future-ready excellence.

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) once again proved its leadership in the field of cybersecurity education through the stellar performance and initiative of its students at the Siber Siaga Capture the Flag: Code Combat 2025. 

Held from 30 September to 1 October in conjunction with CyberDSA 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), the prestigious national-level event was spearheaded by the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Division of the Malaysian Armed Forces, co-organised by APU, and officially sponsored by Mindmatics Sdn. Bhd and TM One. 

Students Who Set the Standard

In a remarkable first, the challenges for the competition were created and set by APU’s own undergraduates from the Forensic and Cyber Security Research Centre Student Section (FSEC-SS). Under the mentorship of Ms Noris Ismail and Ms Nor Azlina Abdul Rahman, both Senior Lecturers at the School of Technology (SoT), these students demonstrated not only technical mastery but also leadership, creativity, and the ability to design professional-level cybersecurity scenarios that tested participants from across the country. 

Their contribution underscored APU’s distinctive approach to education — one that empowers students to not just compete, but lead, applying their research knowledge and hands-on skills to real-world contexts. 

Rising to the Challenge

Among 75 teams and more than 200 participants from universities nationwide, APU’s teams showcased exceptional skill and teamwork, capturing three of the top ten positions. 

Team “C0UGH1NGB4BY”, mentored by Mr Mohd Hanis Jenalis, Senior Lecturer, secured Third Place; Team “C1RY”, under the guidance of Mr Shahab Alizadeh, Senior Lecturer, claimed Sixth Place; Team “DD”, mentored by Ms Nurin Amirah Abdul Rahman, Lecturer, achieved Seventh Place. 

These victories were the product of countless hours of preparation, driven by the students’ dedication, perseverance, and collaborative spirit. Their achievements also reflected the unwavering mentorship and technical support from APU’s SoT faculty members. 

A Shared Success Story

APU’s presence at the event was further strengthened by the support of academic staff who attended the closing ceremony, including Associate Professor Dr Thang Ka Fei, Senior Head of School, and Senior Lecturers, Ms Nur Azyyati Ahmad, Ts. Mohd Norfahmi Jaafar and Dr Hassan Jamil Syed. 

Their involvement exemplified APU’s holistic ecosystem — where academic expertise, student passion, and industry collaboration come together to nurture excellence in cybersecurity education. 

Nurturing the Next Generation of Cyber Defenders

The Siber Siaga Capture the Flag: Code Combat 2025 stands as a powerful testament to APU’s commitment to cultivating future-ready cybersecurity professionals through hands-on learning, industry engagement, and national collaboration. 

Reflecting on the achievement, Assoc Prof Dr Thang Ka Fei, Senior Head of School, said, “I am immensely proud of our students who not only performed exceptionally in the competition but also took the lead in designing its challenges.” 

“Their success reflects the outstanding synergy between our students and staff, and the strength of APU’s applied learning ecosystem. I applaud our lecturers for their dedication and the invaluable mentorship they provide in preparing our students to lead in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity,” he concluded. 

This success reinforces APU’s reputation as a regional leader in cybersecurity education — one where innovation, research, and collaboration continue to shape Malaysia’s next generation of digital defenders.