CTF GOT ME REWARD FROM SECRETARY OF MY COLLEGE
The Secretary of my college has provided me a Fees Concession of 10%. Do you know why???
Let me tell you the Story,
My name is Karthikeyan. I’m doing my graduation in Bsc Computer Science (Currently 2nd year) at Kongunadu Arts and Science College — Coimbatore. I’m Passionate in Computer Science, especially in Cyber security and Hacking. So I used to practice those skills by participating in contests and also by competing with those who are expert in these fields.
What is CTF?
CTF is a Cyber security Contest in which a Flag is hidden inside a File or a Server. We have to find a loop hole to get the flag. Once we get the flag we can submit the flag and based on the Category and difficulty our points will increase
Once I get to know About the CTF (Capture the Flag) contest, I was very enthusiastic about a thing that happened one day.
Me and my friend arrived early to the college just because we have some time to relax before the class starts.we are the one who arrived first, on that day. We just roamed around the veranda. And Fortunately I found a paper on the notice board which displays “InCTF India’s Premier Hacking & Cyber Security contest” and also a text with Highlight “Win a Price Pool of 3,00,000”. It is a CTF contest conducted by Amrita Institute. It is a Notable thing that if I Arrived late on that day I may miss out the Opportunity(It’s all About the Grace).
As I already said that I’m Interested in Cyber security and Hacking so I wanted to register for the contest and I registered too. But actually, I don’t know anything about the contest so I did some research on that contest and I learned about it!!!
It is a contest for a Period of 4 Months and there are over 5000 participants from different states. It contains 5 Categories to Solve. They are,
1. Web
2. Cryptography
3. Forensics
4. Reversing
5. Pwning
I practice and learned the Topics about the categories and solved some challenge. Many students participated in the contest just by registering for the contest, But I’m the One who solved the Challenges and pushed my college to the top, among other institutes. I ranked 521 at the start. I practised consistently and pushed my rank to 52. At the same time my college ranked the same.
After a month I felt it difficult to solve other challenges and also I have some Commitments to do, so I left the Contest…
My rank start getting decrease with my college… I thought that would be the end!!!
On November I just surfed on Amrita’s web portal to know about what is going on with the results!!! There I found that the last date is Extended 10 days. At that time I had a thought that “I can’t win But at least I may push my Institute to the top 10” So I organised a Team with my classmates and Started teaching them to complete challenges. On that process I get to know about some techniques deeper than before.
I completed some challenges and at last my rank is 19 and our institute ranked 6th among all. I wanted my departments staffs to be happy by conveying this news to them. I just sent a photo of the rankings to my HOD(Head of the Department) he then conveyed it to the Dean of Academics.
On the very next day we have a Practical Examination. Even though I’m 2nd Batch I came Earlier to the college with my friend for the preparation of Exam
As the First batch went on to the examination. Me and my batch mates were in 1st year classroom. I thought it will be boring as we have 3 more hours left for our Exam. I met a Staff whom wanted me to speak with him. On speaking to the staff my HOD asked about the contest and said that we shall meet the dean. We went to meet the dean. I got Appreciation in Front of all Staffs, I felt proud at the time and I went outside with HOD. I thought we would go to our departments but suddenly we saw the secretary and we decided to meet him.
HOD Introduced me and the thing that I had done with CTF. She Appreciates me and said that I would further participate upcoming competitions in Future. At last, before she moves on she told them to give 10% Fees Concession. On hearing that I just got stuck and Amazed.
I didn’t Expect this on that day. I thought It was a Gift for my dedication. Then I get to realised that somehow the dots will connect to the Future, we have to do the things that gonna help us to reach our Goals. We have make hard things Consistently to Build the mindset that when things get hard which they will be, we don’t shy away, we don’t Quit, we Attack and keep Focusing on the Dream.
Sorry In case of any Mistakes and Thank you Everyone, As this is my First write up!!!
