Cybersecurity · Computer Science · Hardware Security
High-School Student | CTF Team Captain | Self-Taught Learner
I am a high-school student passionate about computer science and cybersecurity, developing my technical skills primarily through self-directed learning, independent research, hands-on experimentation, and practical projects.
As Team Captain of Shahin in the Tech Olympics 2026 Hardware CTF, I contribute to technical preparation, collaborative problem-solving, and hardware-oriented security challenges.
My main interests are hardware and firmware security, embedded systems, and low-level programming. I am also independently studying cryptography, digital forensics, binary exploitation, mobile security, networking, and web application security.
I believe in learning by doing, understanding how systems work beneath the surface, and documenting technical findings clearly. I continuously improve my skills through independent study, experimentation, and competitive challenges.
- Team: Shahin — Team Captain
- National Team Result: 4th place among 117 teams
- International Ranking: 83rd among 609 teams
- Individual Contribution: 7 challenges solved
- Recorded Score: 269 points during the competition
- Outcome: Qualified for the in-person final stage
CTF Write-ups: Explore challenge analyses and technical write-ups
My technical knowledge has been developed primarily through self-study, independent practice, documentation, and hands-on projects. My experience and proficiency vary across topics, and I am actively expanding my knowledge.
- Programming Languages: Python, C, Go, JavaScript
- Databases: SQL
- Web Technologies: HTML, CSS, WordPress
- Computer Science Foundations: Programming fundamentals, algorithms, computational thinking, and problem-solving
- Hardware & Firmware Security: Microcontroller security concepts, firmware analysis, and hardware-oriented security research
- Cryptography: Cryptographic fundamentals and security concepts
- Digital Forensics: Digital evidence analysis and forensic investigation fundamentals
- Binary Exploitation: Binary analysis, memory-corruption concepts, and introductory exploit-development concepts
- Mobile Security: Android security fundamentals and mobile application analysis
- Web Security: Web application security concepts and penetration-testing fundamentals
- Networking: Network protocols, network fundamentals, and security analysis
- Operating Systems: Linux, Kali Linux, BlackArch Linux, macOS
- Embedded Systems: Arduino, microcontrollers, and embedded development fundamentals
- Development Tools: Git, GitHub, Visual Studio Code, PyCharm, Docker
- Technical Workflow: Command-line tools, debugging, documentation, and practical experimentation
A public collection of challenge write-ups and supporting materials documenting problem-solving approaches and technical analysis from the competition.
Coursework and programming exercises from Harvard University's CS50x online course, covering computer science fundamentals, programming, algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving.
A public research repository dedicated to exploring Wi-Fi security topics and documenting technical findings.
Harvard University — Online Course
Completed coursework covering fundamental computer science concepts, programming, algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving.
Certificate: Listed on my LinkedIn profile.
Alongside formal online coursework, I continue to develop my knowledge through independent study, technical documentation, experimentation, and project-based learning.
- Hardware and firmware security
- Microcontroller architecture and embedded systems
- Low-level programming and binary analysis
- Cryptography and digital forensics
- Mobile and web application security
- Networking and security analysis
- Improving technical documentation and reproducible research practices
I follow a self-directed learning process built around:
- Independent Study: Learning from technical documentation, books, and educational resources
- Hands-on Practice: Applying concepts through experiments, programming, and practical projects
- Problem-Solving: Developing analytical skills through CTF challenges and technical exercises
- Documentation: Recording findings, explaining solutions, and organizing knowledge
- Continuous Improvement: Reviewing mistakes, refining techniques, and exploring new technical areas
- Email: [email protected]
- LinkedIn: AmirAli Cheraghi
- GitHub: amirali-cheraghi-cyber
Learning independently. Building through experimentation. Growing through problem-solving.