VNUHCM - University of Information Technology

On November 5, 2026, Team HCMUIT from University of Information Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (UIT), claimed First Prize (Champion) at the Group-IB CTF Challenge 2026, held as part of the Vietnam GSEC Event 2026 at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.With an impressive score of 3,000 points, HCMUIT secured the top position on the leaderboard, outperforming competing teams representing organizations and businesses across the information technology, finance, banking, and cybersecurity sectors.The achievement highlights the team's technical expertise, analytical thinking, and ability to apply cybersecurity knowledge to complex real-world challenges.Meet the championship-winning HCMUIT teamThe HCMUIT team consisted of three talented Information Security students from the 2023 cohort:Phan Nguyen Huy Duy – Information Security, Regular Undergraduate Program, Class of 2023.Phan Binh Nhan – Information Security, Talent Program, Class of 2023.Ngo Tran Anh Ninh – Information Security, Talent Program, Class of 2023.Their outstanding performance demonstrated strong teamwork, technical proficiency, and effective problem-solving skills under competitive conditions.Four hours of real-world cybersecurity challengesThe Group-IB CTF Challenge 2026, jointly organized by Group-IB and Misoft, was an invitation-only cybersecurity competition designed to test participants' practical skills in investigating and responding to cyber threats.During four consecutive hours of competition, participating teams tackled challenges developed from real-world cybercrime cases.The competition required participants to apply knowledge and techniques in two key cybersecurity disciplines:Threat Intelligence: Analyzing information about cyber threats, identifying potential risks, and understanding malicious activities.Digital Forensics: Examining digital evidence, tracing suspicious activities, and investigating cybersecurity incidents.Participants also used specialized Group-IB tools to analyze, trace, and investigate cyber threats.Unlike conventional theoretical assessments, the competition emphasized practical investigation skills, analytical reasoning, and the ability to respond effectively to complex cybersecurity scenarios.Through these challenges, teams demonstrated their capacity to combine technical knowledge with investigative methodologies in a highly competitive environment.Securing the championship with 3,000 pointsDemonstrating exceptional performance throughout the competition, HCMUIT finished in first place with 3,000 points, earning the championship title.As the winning team, HCMUIT received the Champion's Trophy and a cash prize of VND 15,000,000.Competing against participants from various professional and organizational backgrounds, the UIT students demonstrated their ability to perform at a high level in a competition closely connected to real-world cybersecurity practices.Their success reflects not only individual technical capabilities but also the effectiveness of teamwork, strategic thinking, and practical problem-solving.Demonstrating UIT's strengths in cybersecurity educationThe championship further reinforces UIT's strengths in Information Security education and the development of highly skilled cybersecurity talent.By successfully addressing challenges involving cybercrime investigation, threat intelligence, and digital forensics, the students demonstrated their ability to apply academic knowledge to practical security problems.Their achievement also reflects the importance of connecting university education with emerging industry requirements, particularly as cybersecurity threats become increasingly sophisticated.Competitions such as the Group-IB CTF Challenge provide valuable opportunities for students to strengthen their professional skills, engage with industry-relevant technologies, and gain experience in tackling real-world security challenges.The success of Team HCMUIT contributes to UIT's growing record of achievements in cybersecurity competitions and highlights the potential of its students to contribute to the development of a skilled information security workforce.Inspiring the next generation of cybersecurity professionalsUIT proudly congratulates Phan Nguyen Huy Duy, Phan Binh Nhan, and Ngo Tran Anh Ninh on their outstanding achievement at the Group-IB CTF Challenge 2026.Their championship is a testament to their dedication, perseverance, technical expertise, and passion for cybersecurity.May this achievement inspire more UIT students to pursue excellence in Information Security, continuously enhance their professional capabilities, and confidently take on new challenges at national and international cybersecurity competitions.Competition information: https://go.group-ib.com/annual-vietnam-gsec-day-ctf-challenge