Jakarta, INTI - A 25 year old man from Solo, Bayu Fedra Abdullah, has accumulated extensive experience in the field of cybersecurity. His expertise even led him to speak at one of the world’s most prestigious cybersecurity conferences, Black Hat, in 2025.
The Informatics Engineering student at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) initially had no particular interest in information technology, let alone cybersecurity. His early involvement in the field happened almost by coincidence.
Fedra, his commonly used nickname, admitted that he enrolled at SMKN 2 Surakarta, majoring in Computer and Network Engineering, simply because he followed his friends’ choices.
“At first, I was just tagging along with my friends. I didn’t really have a passion for IT,” Fedra said in an interview on January 19, 2026. “I once considered learning design, but I felt that design work is increasingly being automated.”
Over time, while still studying at SMKN 2 Surakarta, one of his teachers encouraged him to explore cybersecurity. Following that advice, Fedra gradually began focusing on the field and developing his expertise.
Presenting Innovations at the Global Black Hat Conference
His dedication eventually brought him to international recognition. In December 2025, Fedra was invited to speak at two major global cybersecurity events: Black Hat Middle East and Africa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Black Hat Europe in London, United Kingdom.
At these conferences, he presented two tools he had developed. In Riyadh, Fedra introduced Internet Protocol Threat Intelligence (IPTI), a tool designed to automate repetitive tasks in assessing the security risks of IP addresses.
Meanwhile, in London, he presented the Most Basic Penetration Testing Lab (MBPTL), a comprehensive learning platform created to help beginners understand penetration testing in a more structured and accessible way. The platform aims to address gaps in existing cybersecurity training tools.
A Decade of Professional Experience in Cybersecurity
Fedra’s ability to develop such tools stems from years of hands-on experience. Although he is currently in the final year of his undergraduate studies, he has been involved in the cybersecurity field for more than a decade.
He began participating in security audit projects while still a student at SMKN 2 Surakarta. After graduating, he immediately started working professionally as a penetration tester. Interestingly, throughout his career, from his first job until now, Fedra has always worked remotely rather than in a conventional office environment.
“Since graduating from vocational school, I’ve worked professionally and always remotely. I’ve never had a permanent office,” he explained.
Today, Fedra’s role in the national cybersecurity scene has also evolved. While he previously frequently won cybersecurity competitions, he is now more often trusted to serve as a judge and problem setter, including for competitions organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Health.
Looking ahead, Fedra hopes to contribute more actively to the cybersecurity community. “In the future, I want to be more involved in the community. I want to keep improving my skills so I don’t fall behind and can continue sharing knowledge with others,” he said.
Conclusion
Bayu Fedra Abdullah’s journey shows how curiosity and persistence can lead to global recognition. From initially entering the IT field without a clear passion, he has grown into a cybersecurity professional whose innovations are presented on international stages. His story not only highlights Indonesia’s growing talent in cybersecurity but also inspires young people to keep learning, developing skills, and contributing to the global technology community.
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