SOC’s Cyber Foxes – Spades bags HackForGov 2023 Regional Championship 

The 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐱𝐞𝐬 – Spades from the School of Computing (SOC) emerged as the champions at the Regional Qualifiers of the 𝐇𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐆𝐨𝐯 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 on September 15, 2023 held at Holy Angel University (HAU). 

 

Alongside the Cyber Foxes, 14 other school teams across Central Luzon competed in the Capture-The-Flag (CTF) competition, an activity by the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) where participants must solve a series of cybersecurity-related challenges to test their skills in areas such as cryptography, web and network security, and other related field. 

 

The 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐱𝐞𝐬 – Spades is composed of Ralph Baskin P. Bognot, the highest scorer in the competition, along with other SOC students Railly G. Mallari, Mikaela Ian M. Luciano and Mark Hans P. Gochuico, and their coach, Dr. Marlon I. Tayag.

 

In an interview with The Angelite, Mallari, president of Cybersecurity Intelligence Alliance of HAU-SOC and their cryptography and exploit expert, stated that his team trained for over a month focusing on each member’s selected category with the guidance of their coach, Dr. Tayag, that became their advantage since the competition started.

 

“We exerted much effort to our training, and naging super fruitful naman,” stated Mallari. “After being awarded the champion of the CTF competition, hindi agad nagsink-in sa amin ‘yung fact na ‘yun. I think we were overwhelmed with happiness, especially [when] entering the competition, hindi namin masyado ineexpect na mananalo kami since a total of 15 schools ang magcocompete” 

 

The 3rd year cybersecurity student also expressed his gratitude for the support of their friends and family, blockmates, fellow Cyber Foxes, HAU-SOC faculty, and the rest of the HAU community.

 

Furthermore, Mallari also called out to those who want to explore their field, stating that cybersecurity is a continuous yet “very enjoying” process and one will learn by experience.

 

“If you ever want to choose cybersecurity, choose Holy Angel University. Instructors are equipped to teach you the knowledge you need,” he added.

 

Mallari also encouraged his fellow students to join their student team and organization, who will now represent Central Luzon in the upcoming National Competition on October 16, 2023 in Metro Manila. 

 

Written by Sophia Suarez
Layout by Winston Adam Lejarde