17-year-old ITE student gets top ethical hacking credentials

He is one of just 150 worldwide - and youngest here - with title of Certified Ethical Hacker Master

First-year student Tay Gao Jun is doing a Higher Nitec in cyber and network security course at the Institute of Technical Education College West. As part of the Certified Ethical Hacker Master accreditation process, he had to pass a theory exam, and
First-year student Tay Gao Jun is doing a Higher Nitec in cyber and network security course at the Institute of Technical Education College West. As part of the Certified Ethical Hacker Master accreditation process, he had to pass a theory exam, and then a rigorous six-hour practical exam. He passed the practical exam in just over three hours. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
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A first-year Institute of Technical Education (ITE) student has recently attained top ethical hacking credentials, making him one of just 150 in the world to hold the title of Certified Ethical Hacker Master.

Ethical hackers, sometimes called penetration testers, attempt to penetrate a computer system or network to expose threats or vulnerabilities. These problems can then be fixed, improving security.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 28, 2020, with the headline 17-year-old ITE student gets top ethical hacking credentials. Subscribe