FPT IS's "All-Round" Talent

Behind the dry numbers and certificates lies an inspiring story of a young man with a burning passion for information security. Mr. Do Manh Dung, Security Consulting - Assessment & Information Security (Pentester) Officer at FPT IS, has officially conquered the pinnacle of the security industry by obtaining the prestigious OSCE³ certification. This certification is considered the "golden gate" to the world of leading security experts, requiring candidates to have extensive knowledge and excellent practical skills.

This young man, born in 1999, with his talent, became the first person to achieve this certification at FPT and FPT IS. Not only excelling in his profession, Manh Dung is also known for many other talents, considered an "all-round talent at FPT IS." Dung's journey to conquer OSCE³ is both a remarkable personal achievement and a great inspiration for those pursuing a career in information security.

All-Roundness from Eagerness to Learn

From a young age, Dung showed a special curiosity about computers. Science fiction movies with top-notch hacking scenes sparked a strong passion for technology in him. Dung began to explore programming on his own, starting with basic languages like Pascal, C, and C++. Not only stopping at learning theory, Dung also actively participated in programming competitions to challenge himself.

With his talent and relentless effort, during his studies at the Academy of Cryptography Techniques, Dung achieved many significant successes. Notably, at the SV ATTT (Information Security) competition - one of the prestigious security competitions for students - Dung excellently won First Prize in Round 1 and received an Encouragement Prize in the final round. These achievements not only affirmed Dung's in-depth professional knowledge but also demonstrated his ability to solve problems creatively and effectively.

Unwavering Passion

After achieving certain successes in student competitions and working at FPT IS for a while, Manh Dung realized that his knowledge was still limited, despite having obtained many certifications. With a desire to become a leading security expert and add more achievements to his "all-round dictionary," he decided to conquer the OSCE³ certification.

OSCE³ (Offensive Security Certified Expert) is a high-level certification issued by Offensive Security, a world-leading organization in information security training and certification. To obtain this certification, he needed to achieve three other certifications beforehand: OffSec Web Expert (OSWE), OffSec Exploit Developer (OSED), and OffSec Experienced Penetration Tester (OSEP), each with similar difficulty, requiring candidates to master knowledge in various areas of information security, from broad knowledge in the offensive field from Web, Window exploit to network systems... Due to this high difficulty, Dung is the first person in FPT to achieve this certification, contributing to enhancing the "Golden Certificate" list in the Vietnamese technology industry.

Behind the decision to conquer the challenging OSCE³ certification is a combination of reason and emotion. Rationally, Dung realized that possessing this certification would open up many new career opportunities and help him contribute more to the company's development. Emotionally, his passion for information security and the desire to explore new things always motivated him to constantly conquer challenges. Additionally, owning "trophies" like cards and coins after achieving all three certifications was a great spiritual reward, helping him stay confident on his knowledge conquest journey.

The exam process was extremely challenging, with each individual certification requiring at least one month of study, and OSCE³ requiring 48 consecutive hours of testing in front of a computer screen, under strict supervision. It can be said that the most important assessment in the exam was sharp thinking and execution skills under high pressure.

However, with perseverance and passion, Dung overcame all difficulties. He shared: "I spent a lot of time researching materials from reputable sources like Github, Red Team Notes..., and watched Youtube channels of experts who had taken the exam to listen to their experiences and shares. After 48 consecutive hours in front of the computer screen, I could somewhat predict the result, and the only emotion I felt was relief. I felt relieved because I didn't give up during the difficult study period, and relieved because I finally completed a very difficult exam."

Solid Backing for the All-Rounder

The working environment at FPT IS, especially the enthusiastic support from his boss and colleagues, became a solid backing for Dung in his journey to conquer OSCE³.

He shared that during the study period and two stressful exam days, his colleagues did not hesitate to support him, helping him complete all pending tasks. Along with that was the care and encouragement from Mr. Phan Van Duc, Dung's direct boss, who was also a great source of motivation. Mr. Duc always encouraged employees to develop themselves and created opportunities for everyone to learn from each other. "The comfortable and friendly company environment, the support and help from colleagues, were a solid foundation for me in the process of conquering difficult certifications," Dung shared.

Not only receiving enthusiastic support from colleagues and his boss, Do Manh Dung was also fully facilitated by FPT IS during his study and exam for the OSCE³ certification. With a policy of supporting exam fees and creating a favorable learning environment, FPT IS contributed significantly to his success. This achievement helped him become one of the first people at FPT and the first person at FPT IS to achieve this challenging OSCE³ certification. Therefore, he was honored to be named in the list of the best employees of the third quarter.

Balancing Work and Life "All-Roundly"

Besides his career, Dung also has a very interesting personal life. He is passionate about dancing, which has been with him since his student years. For him, dancing is not just a hobby but an indispensable part of his life. Regular practice helps him relieve stress, improve health, and gain more positive energy. Dung shared: "My girlfriend and I both love dancing. We often spend time practicing together and participating in dance events. Dancing has helped me balance my life better and have more energy to pursue my dreams."

Conquering the OSCE³ certification is not only a personal achievement but also opens up new career opportunities for Dung. As an unwritten rule, every time he learns new knowledge, he finds opportunities to apply it to his work. This makes learning more interesting and effective. Besides, this certification is also an important milestone, marking an achievement before his marriage. 

With a spirit of eagerness to learn, Manh Dung has plans to conquer many other certifications and establish a community of people with the same passion. He hopes to create an environment for everyone to learn together, share experiences, and support each other on the path of knowledge conquest.

To achieve difficult certifications like OSCE³, learners must have perseverance, relentless effort, and a spirit of eagerness to learn. Knowledge in this field is very extensive, so thorough research and regular practice are extremely important. Dung believes that with passion and determination, anyone can achieve success like him.

By Thuy Trang.