AUS cybersecurity talent takes top honors at Abu Dhabi’s CTF Competition

Two computer engineering students from American University of Sharjah secured first and third places in the Abu Dhabi Capture the Flag (CTF) competition held recently.

The competition, organized by CTF.ae, co-founded by AUS alumni Youssef Awad and sponsored by ADQ, a major investment and holding group in Abu Dhabi, attracted about 40 individual competitors from across the UAE. 

A capture the flag (CTF) competition challenges participants to find concealed text strings, known as "flags," cleverly hidden within intentionally vulnerable programs or websites. The competition presented a series of complex challenges spanning essential areas of cybersecurity, including forensics, web security, binary exploitation, reverse engineering and cryptography.

Adham Elmosalamy, the first-place winner, attributed his victory to persistence and practice.

"Reflecting on my very first CTF experience, I struggled for 24 hours without solving a single challenge, while others excelled. This journey of improvement involved numerous CTFs and consistent practice. My key advice: don't wait until you feel ready—you never truly will. Embrace every competition opportunity. The least you gain is valuable experience. It's about conquering your fears, encountering new challenges, and broadening your horizons. This exposure is what truly transforms you," he said.

Hassan Abouelela, who took third place, emphasized the importance of strategic thinking and detailed analysis in cybersecurity. 

"My approach in the competition was characterized by a strategic mindset and a meticulous focus on detail. This methodical analysis and precision in tackling each challenge were key factors in achieving a top-ranking position," he said.

This achievement aligns with the goals of the Security Operations Center, AUS' first cybersecurity club, founded by Elmosalamy. The club is dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity education and practical experience at AUS, preparing students to make significant contributions to the UAE’s cybersecurity sector. 

In recognition of their outstanding performance, the winners received awards including course access and cybersecurity training resources by Offensive Security, a leading cybersecurity training company. 

Looking ahead, the club is organizing a winter-long upskilling bootcamp in hands-on cybersecurity, overseen by Dr. Anas Al Majali, Visiting Professor in the AUS Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

"The performance by our students at the Abu Dhabi CTF competition is a testament to the high-caliber cybersecurity education provided at AUS. It reflects our commitment to aligning our programs with the UAE's National Cybersecurity strategy and our dedication to preparing students for the dynamic challenges of the digital world. We are proud to see our students excel and contribute significantly to the cybersecurity landscape," said Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of AUS College of Engineering.

AUS computer science and computer engineering programs are designed to align with the UAE's National Cybersecurity strategy, which aims to create a safe and strong cyberinfrastructure in the UAE that enables citizens to fulfill their aspirations and empowers businesses to thrive.

To learn more about AUS College of Engineering programs, please visit www.aus.edu/cen.