As the final event of 2024, I had the privilege of attending a captivating Tech&Meet session at Howest, led by none other than Belgium’s top ethical hacker, Robbe Verwilghen. Robbe earned this prestigious title after his remarkable victory at the Hack the Government competition, where he uncovered the majority of vulnerabilities present in government websites.
Robbe began the session by sharing the story of how he ventured into the world of cybersecurity. Much like myself, his fascination with computers started in high school, eventually leading him to pursue further studies at Howest. It was inspiring to hear how his journey mirrored my own, reinforcing my passion for this field.
Robbe then delved into his professional experience as a Penetration Tester at Toreon, a Belgian cybersecurity consulting firm based in Antwerp. He provided valuable insights into his day-to-day responsibilities, highlighting the importance of a proactive approach in identifying and mitigating security risks.
One of the session’s highlights was Robbe’s demonstration of the techniques he uses to enumerate and identify vulnerabilities in web applications. He walked us through some of the payloads and strategies that contributed to his competition win, offering practical tips that attendees could immediately relate to.
To wrap up, Robbe showcased several bugs he had discovered in real-world applications. Interestingly, he emphasized that many of these vulnerabilities were not particularly complex or difficult to find—reminding us that sometimes, the most significant security risks stem from simple oversights.
Attending this session was both informative and motivating. Learning from someone who has achieved so much in the field, yet started on a path so similar to my own, was truly inspiring. I’m excited to apply these insights as I continue my journey in penetration testing / ethical hacking!