SANDAKAN: Cybersecurity prodigy Joshua Hon made history as the first Sabahan to represent Malaysia in the prestigious International Cybersecurity Olympiad (ICO) 2025.
Joshua, 13, emerged as one of Malaysia’s top four cybersecurity talents, and would compete against the world’s brightest minds.
“What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that he self-learned coding, AI and cybersecurity and actively pursued opportunities to test his skills on an international level,” said his mother, Jennifer Lee.
“I took the initiative to learn cybersecurity because I was fascinated by how technology shapes our world. Qualifying for ICO at NUS is a dream come true, and I hope to inspire more young Malaysians to explore this field,” said Joshua.
ICO is a global competition that challenges participants in areas such as ethical hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, and secure coding. This achievement positions Malaysia as a rising force in cybersecurity and highlights the importance of Stem education and digital security awareness in today’s world.
Beyond cybersecurity, Joshua is an award-winning student in Mathematics and Science Olympiads.
He is also a dedicated archer who has participated in many international competitions and won medals, proving that a diverse skillset and a passion for learning can open doors to global opportunities.
“We are incredibly proud of Josh’s achievement. This proves that young ones can also excel internationally in emerging fields like cybersecurity. We hope this inspires others to pursue their passion fearlessly,” said Joshua’s parents.
