The Flare-On 12 Challenge, one of the world’s most prestigious reverse engineering competitions, officially concluded after four intense weeks of competition, attracting 4,139 registered participants from across the globe. Among them, only 273 outstanding contestants successfully completed all 9 challenges — making this year’s edition widely recognized as one of the most difficult and memorable seasons in Flare-On history.

Vietnam once again asserted its strong presence with 27 finishers, proudly joining the global “winner’s circle.” Even more impressively, the University of Information Technology, VNU-HCMC (UIT) made a remarkable mark with five Information Security students who successfully conquered all challenges, completing the entire Flare-On 12 season.

Outstanding Achievements by UIT Students at Flare-On 12

Leading the UIT contingent, Nguyen Duc Hieu (Peter clowncs) – a 2023 regular Information Security student – completed all 9 challenges in just 3 days, 15 hours, and 47 minutes, ranking 12th globally.

In addition, four other UIT students also proudly earned their spots among the world’s finishers:

• Bui Huu Tung (fuyosuru) – 2023 Talented Program, ranked 104th, completed in 15 days, 17 hours, 20 minutes.

• Tran Hieu (H1uTr3n) – 2023 Talented Program, ranked 135th, completed in 19 days, 15 hours, 23 minutes.

• Dinh Le Thanh Cong (dltcong) – 2022 Talented Program, ranked 195th, completed in 24 days, 5 hours, 50 minutes.

• Nguyen Trong Nhan (suachuakhduong) – 2024 Talented Program, ranked 299th, completed in 28 days, 14 hours, 12 minutes.

The achievements of these UIT students not only demonstrate their technical excellence and perseverance in a highly competitive international environment but also contribute to elevating Vietnam’s image in the global technology arena.

Their impressive success once again highlights UIT’s pivotal role in fostering a practical, innovative, and research-oriented learning environment. At UIT, students are fully supported to develop their skills through academic clubs, specialized laboratories, and research projects, and are encouraged to actively participate in both national and international academic competitions.

Furthermore, the dedication of UIT’s lecturers and the strong sense of community among students create a dynamic and collaborative academic atmosphere, nurturing passion and inspiring creative thinking.

About the Flare-On Challenge

The Flare-On Challenge is an annual international competition organized by the FLARE team, dedicated to reverse engineering enthusiasts worldwide. The 12th season featured nine meticulously designed challenges, crafted by world-leading experts in cybersecurity and malware analysis. Participants not only sharpen their technical skills through each round but also gain exposure to new methods and tools in reverse engineering.

Through multiple seasons, UIT students have consistently proven their capability and competitive spirit, earning recognition on the global leaderboard and further solidifying the university’s reputation as a leading institution in cybersecurity education and research.