The day the systems went dark

Ask Ibrahim Sharul how it all started and the Year 4 Information Security major in NUS Computing who is also enrolled in NUS College (NUSC) pinpoints the exact incident that led him to pursue the path of cybersecurity. “It all went back to the infamous 2014 Sony hack which made global headlines. Overnight, cybersecurity was recognised for its vital importance and as a result, all the polytechnics in Singapore began offering this programme from 2015. The opportunity to solve problems and discover crimes intrigued me. In addition, my dad was concurrently doing a specialist diploma in cybersecurity, and I found his lecture notes interesting,” Ibrahim recounts.

A richer, wider education

Before enrolling into NUS Computing, Ibrahim had earned a Diploma in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics with Nanyang Polytechnic. While this gave him a strong foundation of cybersecurity-related knowledge, he was keen to deepen his knowledge base at NUS, one of the top universities for computing that also offers a major specialisation in information security. He also wanted the chance to savour a rich university life that would include diverse experiences like staying on campus, going overseas and maximising the plethora of opportunities at NUS.

Looking back on his decision, he offers this piece of sage advice for fellow polytechnic graduates wondering whether they should further their education:

Mindful about paying it forward, Ibrahim is now an ambassador for NUS Computing. He actively lends a hand to polytechnic students, instilling confidence in those daunted by the prospect of taking mathematics classes as part of their Computing degree.

Paying it forward

The other pillar of mental and emotional support came from a self-discovery programme Find Your Ikigai that was run by two NUS alumni from the University Scholars Programme (USP), the predecessor of NUS College (NUSC). The programme rescued Ibrahim from a negative spiral of self-doubt during the pandemic. “It helped me understand my interests, strengths, core values and priorities, which really helped me in my NUS journey as I regained my confidence. This programme later became a regular course offered by USP.”

This life-changing event motivated Ibrahim to become a facilitator and trainer – both at Facilitators@NUS where he served as the Vice-President (External), as well as at external companies such as The Astronauts Collective.

Ibrahim (second from right) serving as a facilitator and mentor for a tourism project under the six-week Ngee Ann Apprenticeship programme for students in the Talent Development Programme.

Now realising the importance of protecting his mental health, Ibrahim makes time to unwind by playing floorball and football, as well as watching movies and reading self-help books.

This is an extract from an article by NUS. To read the full article, please visit this link.