Yogyakarta, August 2025 – Ilalang Widi Atmaka, an undergraduate Mathematics student from the 2022 cohort at Universitas Gadjah Mada, has recently participated in the Positive Hack Camp in Russia. This international training program, organized by Positive Technologies with the support of the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, offered two weeks of intensive training in the field of cybersecurity.
Ilalang first learned about the program from Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Indah Emilia Wijayanti, S.Si., M.Si., lecturer of the Cryptography Introduction course, who informed the students about a collaboration between Positive Technologies and UGM. “Positive Hack Camp is a cybersecurity training program, focusing on white hat hacking, for young people interested in this field. In addition to the training, participants also had the opportunity to explore Moscow and learn about Russian history and culture,” said Ilalang.
His main motivation to join the program stemmed from his strong interest in cryptography and cybersecurity. He saw this as a valuable opportunity not only to gain hands-on experience but also to interact with participants from different countries.
The selection process was conducted online through the Positive Technologies website. Applicants submitted personal data and a CV for document screening, followed by an online interview. Out of hundreds of applicants, only about 90 were selected.
During the camp, participants learned about cyberattack simulations, operating systems, networking, and tools used for simulations. Each topic included practice sessions in the form of Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. At the final stage, participants were tasked with hacking three simulated systems—web applications, Windows, and Linux—through virtual machines.
Beyond the training, Ilalang highlighted the warm interactions among participants from various backgrounds, ranging from university students to CTF enthusiasts and cybersecurity professionals. “When we ate together, went shopping together, or explored the city, there was a strong sense of togetherness. It felt as if there were no borders between countries—just a group of people with the same passion and goals,” he shared.
Outside the classroom, participants also enjoyed cultural activities in Russia, visiting landmarks such as the Triumphal Arch, Red Square, and St. Basil’s Cathedral, as well as cruising along the Moskva River. They also had the chance to taste traditional Russian dishes and watch cultural performances.
Joining the Positive Hack Camp has broadened Ilalang’s knowledge about cyberattacks, potential system vulnerabilities, and prevention strategies. Although the mathematical side of cybersecurity, such as cryptography, was not heavily emphasized, he considered the program an important introduction to real-world practices in the field.
For Ilalang, this experience reaffirmed his view that cybersecurity is a broad discipline, encompassing both technical and theoretical aspects. His time in Russia has provided him with valuable insights and motivation to continue pursuing his interest in cryptography and information security in the future.
Keywords: Cybersecurity, Positive Hack Camp
Author: Shafira Fauzia Untsa
Photo: Ilalang Widi Atmaka