Department of Information Security
Demonstrates White Hacker Competence
Jo Woo-bin, a third-year student in the Department of Information Security at Dongseo University (President Jang Jeguk), has won the grand prize at a "white hacker" competition, which involves delving into various websites to identify information security vulnerabilities.
Dongseo University announced on the 29th that Jo received the grand prize, the President's Award from the Korea Internet & Security Agency, at the 2025 Bug Bounty Busan Competition held on the 23rd. The prize money is 5 million won.
The city of Busan and the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency conducted the competition online over two weeks from December 1 to 14. It was part of the "Regional Information Security Cluster Development Project," supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).
In particular, the "2025 Bug Bounty Busan" competition was open to undergraduate and graduate students from the southeastern region (Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam). Participants searched for security vulnerabilities in websites and applications developed or operated by local companies, universities, and public institutions in the region.
Mr. Jo Woo-bin from Dongseo University (left), who won the grand prize at the 2025 Bug Bounty Busan Competition.
Students were able to discover vulnerabilities in familiar local services, fostering both their interest in the community and their skills as white hackers. Companies, universities, and institutions can address the vulnerabilities identified by participants to improve service quality and, through security vulnerability analysis consulting, strengthen the overall security of regional services.
Currently, the Department of Information Security at Dongseo University is running a practical training program for micro- and nano-degree specialists in information protection. The university also actively supports education and research activities that link theory and practical experience-such as a cyber investigation research group (covering cyber investigation techniques, tracking hacking crimes, and community policing) in collaboration with the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency and the Southeast Information Security Support Center, as well as the university's information security club (KUCIS)-to cultivate practical talent in the field of cybersecurity.
Jo Woo-bin, who received the grand prize, said, "It was a great challenge and a valuable learning experience. Although I faced countless obstacles while searching for vulnerabilities, the effort I put into reflecting and thinking things through led to this good result."
He emphasized, "With a strong sense of responsibility, I want to keep taking on new challenges and make significant contributions to the field of information security."
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