Two teams from MMU under the guidance of Assoc. Prof. Ts. Ooi Shih Yin from the Faculty of Information Science and Technology (FIST), demonstrated remarkable skill and perseverance at the Badge to Breach: ICS Cyber Siege Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, as part of CYDES 2025, Malaysia’s premier cyber defence and security exhibition and conference in June 2025.
Organized by RE:HACK, the competition attracted participants nationwide and beyond, testing their abilities in categories such as Forensics, Web Exploitation, Cryptography, Reverse Engineering, and Binary Exploitation—mimicking real-world cybersecurity challenges.
MMU was represented by two teams. The first team, N3WBEES, comprised Muhammad Amin Bin Ayob as the team leader, along with Muhammad Iffat Bin Hanafiah and Muhammad Ariff Ridzlan Bin Mohd Faudzi. The second team, MNAR2010, was led by Nawfal Syafi’ Bin Zailan, and included Melvin Kwan Yii Syn and Muhammad Haikal Hazim Bin Shamsul Ridzuan.
Both teams tied with an impressive score of 1607 points in the preliminary round, placing them among the top 20. Based on solve time and a strong write-up submission, Team MNAR2010 advanced as one of the top 12 finalists, securing a spot in the onsite finals at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on 2 July 2025.
The finals featured a unique, scenario-driven challenge focused on Industrial Control Systems (ICS), including RFID card-cracking, forensic analysis, and live simulations of critical infrastructure disruptions. This immersive format tested participants’ technical expertise, problem-solving, and composure under pressure.
Although the MMU teams did not claim the top prizes, their achievement in reaching the finals of this national-level competition stands as a testament to their dedication, teamwork, and potential as future cybersecurity professionals. Their participation reflects the university’s commitment to nurturing talent capable of addressing complex, real-world challenges.
MMU congratulates Team MNAR2010 and Team N3WBEES for their outstanding effort and encourages all students to take inspiration from their experience and strive for excellence beyond the classroom.
