Golden Paddlers capture 'championship flag' at Hack4Gov Competition 2024

CarSU CyberNinja, Caraga State University’s (CSU) team at this year’s DICT Caraga Hack4Gov Capture the Flag Competition, was declared as CHAMPION on August 23, 2024 at Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City.

Golden Paddlers Mr. Drandreb B. Reyes (Team Leader, BSIT), Jhon Lawrence T. Pag-iwayan (BSIT), Jomari R. Edulan (BSCS), and Wendel Rey C. Salaum (BSIT) from the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS) composed the winning team with Mr. John Michael Cutamora as coach. They bested 13 other teams and 52 students from the various State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Caraga Region.

Last year, Mr. Drandreb Reyes got the highest individual score in the said qualifying competition that brought him to the nationals and ultimately his 10th place win at the 1st ASEAN Cyber Shield (ACS) Hacking Contest (Student Division) at the Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, last November 21–22, 2023. That was the first time that the university had sent a Golden Paddler to an international competition for such and won.

The Hack4Gov 2024 Competition showcased the talent and potential of future cybersecurity professionals while emphasizing the significance of collaboration and shared responsibility in protecting digital assets. As cyber threats evolve, events like this are vital in preparing the next generation to face emerging challenges.

The team will represent Caraga in the national competitions to be held in October 2024. Congratulations, our Golden Paddlers! Bugsay!

Photo Credit: CarSU CyberNinja Team