THE HACKERS MEETUP — March Event:

5 min readApr 4, 2024

Dynamic Data security Meetup

“The Hackers Meet-up” is a monthly must attend Meet-up which features in the calendars of security researchers, hackers and professionals around the nation.

The event aims to bring together primarily security researchers, hackers, business leaders, entrepreneurs but also includes practitioners from academia, industry, government organizations as well as students to elaborate and discuss the IT Security challenges that we are facing today and also about the next generation computer security issues.

This month’s meetup was on the topic of Data Security accompanied by a CTF Challenge. The meetup was held at York IE, EastFace, Iscon-Ambli Rd, Ambli, Ahmedabad from 9 am to 4 pm on 31st March. Our honorable speakers were Mr. Drijesh Patel and Mr. Ajit Tabiyat. Accompanied by Vivek Rabari to add artistic flair, the meetup was house-packed with a whopping 270 attendees. This event was hosted by Aastha Thakker.

Session one –

The event started with our first speaker, Mr. Drijesh Patel, who is a Cyber Security Software Development Manager at IBM. He is an accomplished program manager with over 12 years of experience managing programs in cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He delivered an insightful presentation on “The Human Firewall: Strengthening the Weakest Link in Data Security,” delving into critical aspects of cybersecurity and emphasizing human vulnerabilities as significant factors in data breaches. Mr. Patel covered various types of attacks, including phishing, social engineering, and insider threats, showcasing how attackers exploit psychological tactics to manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive information or engaging in unauthorized actions.

One of the most engaging parts of the session was the interactive segment on social engineering and deepfake attacks. Mr. Patel used real-world examples to illustrate how cybercriminals leverage human trust and manipulate digital content to deceive individuals. Along with highlighting the problem, he also provided solutions on how to prevent falling into the trap of social engineering, deepfakes, and phishing attacks. The audience found this session particularly insightful, as it provided practical insights into the evolving landscape of cyber threats and emphasized the importance of vigilance in identifying and thwarting such attacks.

HACKER’S TRIVIA QUIZ

To enhance the interactive atmosphere of the session, an engaging online quiz was organized by THM team conducted and hosted by Urmit Tajwala. The participant was challenged with 10 questions on Data Security Topic. The top three winners were announced, each rewarded with swag items as tokens of recognition for their impressive performance and dedication to learning.

Second Session –

The event continued with Mr. Ajit Tabiyat taking the spotlight, where he presented on “CTF 101: Navigating the World of Capture the Flag” (CTF). During his session, he provided attendees with a comprehensive roadmap for approaching Capture The Flag competitions, a popular cybersecurity challenge where participants solve puzzles, crack codes, and exploit vulnerabilities to capture flags representing various objectives. Mr. Tabiyat delved into the fundamentals of CTFs, explaining different categories such as cryptography, reverse engineering, web exploitation, and forensics. He also discussed common tools and techniques used in CTFs, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, and continuous learning in succeeding in these competitive and intellectually stimulating challenges. His insights and guidance were invaluable, offering participants a structured approach to understanding and navigating the intricate challenges presented in CTF events.

HACKERS HOUR CTF

The highlight of the event was the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, a thrilling cybersecurity challenge that lasted for two hours. Participants engaged in a competitive environment where they had to solve puzzles, crack codes, and exploit vulnerabilities to capture flags representing various objectives. The CTF competition added an element of excitement and real-world application to the event, encouraging teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among the participants. Winners of the Capture The Flag (CTF) competition were rewarded with trophies, adding a sense of accomplishment and recognition to their outstanding performance in the cybersecurity challenge. The trophies symbolized not only their success in the competition but also their dedication, skills, and expertise in navigating complex cybersecurity scenarios.

Vibrant Musical Performance

Vivek Rabari, an MBA student at IEV, GTU, is the founder of Feb Stone, showcasing his entrepreneurial acumen. Additionally, his passion for singing adds a harmonious dimension to his multifaceted personality. He performed songs to relax the mood of attendees.

Lunch and Networking

The Hackers Meetup concluded on a high note with lunch provided by the THM team offering participants a chance to recharge after an intense day. With minds fueled by insightful discussions and engaging activities throughout the day, Attendees enthusiastically welcomed networking opportunities, exchanging ideas, creating connections, and fostering a community of like-minded individuals concerned about cybersecurity and data protection.