On 24th December 2024, IEEE BRAC University Communications Society Student Branch Chapter hosted an engaging seminar titled “Cryptography and Ethical Hacking: The Future of Cybersecurity” at the university campus. Designed to deepen students’ understanding of cybersecurity, the seminar covered topics ranging from cryptographic techniques to ethical hacking practices.
The event commenced with an introduction by the Chair of IEEE Communications Society BRAC University Student Branch Chapter, who outlined the chapter’s goals and its relevance to both CSE and EEE students. He connected the seminar to the chapter’s focus on fostering a deeper understanding of secure digital communication, emphasizing how cryptography and ethical hacking are vital aspects of modern communication systems.
The host then provided a brief overview of the seminar, setting the stage for participants to explore the dynamic world of cybersecurity. She introduced the first guest speaker, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Hossain, Associate Professor of BRAC University. Highlighting his active participation in international conferences and remarkable contributions to academia, she underscored his role as a proponent of innovation at BRAC University and within the IEEE community.
Session by Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Hossain
Dr. Iqbal began his session with an engaging example of the pigpen cipher, one of the simplest forms of cryptography, to explain the core principles of encryption. He discussed the CIA triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability—as the foundation of cryptography, elaborating on symmetric and asymmetric encryption techniques. Using clear examples, he detailed RSA encryption, emphasizing how keys ranging from 1000 to 5000 characters are used to secure data.
The session also explored practical applications of cryptography, such as secure messaging, digital signatures, and financial transactions, while addressing challenges like key management, the threat of quantum computing, and balancing security with performance. Dr. Iqbal seamlessly tied cryptography to ethical hacking, explaining how ethical hackers employ methodical approaches to identify security vulnerabilities and strengthen systems.
The interactive session sparked insightful questions from students, including discussions about the future of cryptography in Bangladesh’s job market and other pertinent topics
Following Dr. Iqbal’s session, the host introduced the second guest, Maruf Bin Murtuza, a BRAC University CSE alumnus, cybersecurity expert, and founder of BRACU-SIRCAS. As an experienced trainer and organizer of international Capture the Flag (CTF) events, Mr. Maruf brought a wealth of practical insights to the seminar.
Session by Maruf Bin Murtuza
Mr. Maruf’s session began with a humorous yet relatable introduction, immediately connecting with the audience. He provided an overview of ethical hacking, discussing offensive security practices like CTF events, which simulate real-world scenarios to help identify vulnerabilities in new products. He explained how CTFs offer a guided and goal-oriented entry point for beginners. Mr. Maruf also delved into bug bounty programs and red teaming, illustrating how these activities test and enhance system security.
He addressed common myths and misconceptions about ethical hacking, providing clarity on how to approach this field. Mr. Maruf’s practical insights and approachable style made the session highly interactive, with students asking questions about starting ethical hacking early and navigating their way into cybersecurity.
After the sessions, Tasfin Mahmud, the advisor of IEEE Communications Society BRACU SBC, presented crests and souvenirs to both speakers as tokens of appreciation. He also handed a certificate of recognition to the host for her seamless and engaging moderation throughout the event.
The seminar concluded with a group photo featuring the speakers, panel members, and participants. It left students with a profound understanding of cryptography and ethical hacking, inspiring many to explore these critical fields further.