TrendMicro Capture the Flag (CTF) 2024: Holy Angel University School of Computing - CyberFoxes AETHER clinch the championship
School of Computing
September 3, 2024
The Trend Micro Capture The Flag (CTF) is a cybersecurity competition hosted by Trend Micro, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions. This event is designed to challenge participants with various cybersecurity-related tasks, testing their skills in areas such as vulnerability assessment, exploitation, reverse engineering, digital forensics, and other domains relevant to cybersecurity.
The TrendMicro Capture the Flag (CTF) 2024 Competition culminated in a thrilling final round on September 3, 2024. The competition, which began with its Preliminary Rounds on August 30, 2024, attracted 187 teams from different universities in the Philippines, all competing in various cybersecurity challenges. Among these teams were three formidable squads from the Holy Angel University School of Computing (HAU SOC), collectively known as the CyberFoxes. These teams—CyberFoxes SPADE, CyberFoxes AETHER, and CyberFoxes DIAS—showcased exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the competition.
Preliminary rounds: A strong start
During the Preliminary Rounds, the CyberFoxes teams made their presence felt early on. CyberFoxes SPADE, composed of team members Railly G. Mallari, Ralph Baskin P. Bognot, Mark Hans P. Gochuico, and Mikaela Ian M. Luciano, secured an impressive 3rd place. CyberFoxes AETHER, featuring Francisco IV V. Olpindo, Mark Christopher A. Rivera, Cathereen S. David, and Franchesca G. Razon, also performed admirably, finishing in 8th place. CyberFoxes DIAS, with members Juliana Marie L. Angeles, Reinel G. Garcia, Jamaica J. Guina, and John Florence M. Singson, rounded out the HAU SOC representation with a solid 16th-place finish. These outstanding performances earned all three teams a spot in the highly competitive finals.
Finals: A race to the top
The finals brought together the top 30 teams, including all three CyberFoxes squads. The two-hour final round was intense from the start, with teams jostling for position on the leaderboard. Initially, the CyberFoxes teams were tightly packed, with SPADE and AETHER holding the 4th and 5th spots, respectively, and DIAS close behind in 6th place.
As the competition reached the halfway mark, CyberFoxes SPADE surged ahead, claiming the 1st place position. AETHER remained competitive, holding on to 6th place, while DIAS continued to fight hard in 7th place. The final minutes of the competition were a flurry of activity, with positions shifting rapidly.
In a dramatic turn of events, CyberFoxes AETHER made a stunning climb to the top, securing 1st place. CyberFoxes SPADE followed closely, finishing in 2nd place, while CyberFoxes DIAS rounded out the HAU SOC success story by claiming 6th place.
CyberFoxes Aether: Champions of TrendMicro CTF 2024
The CyberFoxes AETHER exceptional performance in the TrendMicro CTF 2024 is a testament to their hard work, skill, and dedication to cybersecurity. Their ability to adapt and respond to the challenges in real-time highlights the strength of the training and education provided by the Holy Angel University School of Computing. The victory is not only a personal achievement for the team members but also a proud moment for the entire HAU SOC community. The CyberFoxes have firmly established themselves as champions, setting a high standard for future competitions.