In today’s cybersecurity landscape, the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow rapidly. Yet many organizations face the same challenge: while universities produce graduates with strong theoretical foundations, the transition from classroom knowledge to real-world cybersecurity work often remains difficult.

To bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice, Evvo Labs partnered with the Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology in Da Nang to establish the very first Centre of Excellence (COE) and launch an intensive internship program. Formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed in December 2025, the initiative allows students to work alongside industry mentors on real cybersecurity projects while still at university, creating a direct pathway from academic training to professional careers.

After six months of intensive collaboration and training, the program has already delivered tangible results. Vo Duc Tin (Finn) and Huỳnh Vinh Vinh (Vincent) have successfully transitioned from university students into full-time professionals within the Evvo Labs team.

Their journey highlights how structured mentorship and real-world exposure can accelerate the development of young cybersecurity talent.

Bridging the Gap Between Academic Learning and Real Industry Work

Both Finn and Vincent joined the program while studying cybersecurity-related disciplines at the Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU). Like many students entering the field, they were eager to gain practical experience beyond what traditional academic textbooks could provide.

For Finn, the motivation was clear: to move beyond theory and experience the realities of professional cybersecurity work.

“I wanted to grow faster than I could by studying at university alone. I hope to work on real projects with real processes, get guidance from seniors on how to do things the right way, and produce outcomes that actually create meaningful value, not just theoretical discussions.” – Finn

The experience quickly revealed a common challenge faced by many aspiring cybersecurity professionals: the difference between understanding concepts in theory and applying them effectively in real-world situations.

As Finn discovered during the program, many ideas that seemed straightforward in academic settings became far more complex when implemented in real systems.

This realization became a turning point, pushing both apprentices to develop stronger research habits, problem-solving skills, and a more structured approach to experimentation.

Working on Real Cybersecurity Innovation

A key feature of the COE Apprenticeship Program is that apprentices contribute directly to real cybersecurity initiatives, rather than working on isolated academic exercises.

During the program, Finn and Vincent worked on a project focused on AI-Powered Autonomous Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), an initiative aimed at improving the efficiency of security testing through automation.

The project explores how artificial intelligence can assist cybersecurity professionals by automating parts of the vulnerability assessment process, reducing the manual workload for penetration testers while maintaining human oversight.

Finn was responsible for designing the overall automation workflow, structuring the VAPT process so that AI could assist in vulnerability evaluation while still allowing security professionals to supervise and intervene when necessary.

My role was to design and build the overall workflow, turning VAPT into a structured flow that can be AI-automated under human supervision. My contributions were mainly defining the necessary steps, researching and integrating suitable tools effectively, and ensuring that the final results are presented in a clear and consistent way.” – Finn

Vincent played an equally important role in developing and improving the system while ensuring it operates effectively within the project framework.

“The core objective of the project is to optimize the workload of a penetration tester by reducing the time and effort required to conduct VAPT engagements. We are building a system that automates the VAPT process and is supported by artificial intelligence” – Vincent

Through this project, both apprentices gained experience not only in cybersecurity techniques but also in applying emerging technologies such as AI to solve real operational challenges.

The Role of Mentorship in Developing Cybersecurity Talent

While real projects are important, the true strength of the Centre of Excellence program lies in its structured mentorship approach.

Mentors at Evvo Labs are actively involved throughout the internship journey, guiding them through both technical challenges and professional development.

According to mentor Tung Phan (Kai), mentorship goes beyond basic teaching tools or reviewing code.

“My role was not just to teach the interns about technical knowledge, but to also help them understand real underlying business problems and connect technical solutions with practical value.” – Kai

Training within the program is structured around a gradual increase in responsibility. Interns begin with supervised learning and guided tasks before progressively taking ownership of more complex work.

The objective is not simply to complete a project but to build the mindset and habits required for a professional cybersecurity career.

Mentor Dung Bui (Andrew) emphasizes that developing soft skills is equally important to their technical skills development.

“We also guided them in communication, planning, and presenting technical problems clearly, while encouraging them to research new technologies and explore how those technologies can be applied in real projects.” – Andrew

This combination of technical mentorship and professional soft-skills development helps interns adapt quickly to the demands of real-world cybersecurity work under a real business environment.

Moments That Defined Their Growth

Over the six-month internship program, both Finn and Vincent experienced key moments that demonstrated how much they had grown.

For Finn, the turning point came when he was assigned a task without detailed instructions from his mentor. Instead of relying on step-by-step guidance, he was able to independently research the problem, design a solution, and present the results to the team.

That moment signalled a shift from being a student receiving instructions to becoming a professional contributor capable of working independently.

Vincent experienced a similar milestone when he was given the opportunity to present the project at a cybersecurity event during the Digital Dragons: The Cybersecurity Challenge (DDC 2025) workshop that was hosted by Evvo Labs.

Presenting the work publicly while still being an intern gave him a new level of confidence in his technical capabilities and communication skills, which will be useful in his future career.

These moments of ownership and responsibility marked an important transition in their development as cybersecurity professionals.

From Apprentices to Full-Time Professionals

By the end of the program, both interns had demonstrated the qualities mentors look for in future full-time employees which are initiative, adaptability, and a strong commitment to continuous learning.

According to mentor Kai, technical ability alone is not the deciding factor.

“The key qualities we look for are initiative and the willingness to learn. When interns start proactively identifying problems and proposing improvements, that’s when we know they are ready for the next step.” – Kai

Today, both Finn and Vincent have successfully continued their journey at Evvo Labs as professional team members.

Looking back on the experience, Vincent believes the decision to join the program was transformative.

“The Centre of Excellence gave me exposure to a real international working environment and helped me develop both my technical skills and my professional mindset.” – Vincent

Investing in the Future Generation of Cybersecurity Talent

For Evvo Labs, the Centre of Excellence Apprenticeship Program is more than a training initiative, it is a long-term investment committed to developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in Vietnam.

In a field where talent shortages remain a global challenge, building internal pipelines of skilled professionals has become increasingly important.

Mentor Andrew believes organizations should view training young talent as a strategic investment rather than a short-term cost.

“Young professionals bring energy, curiosity, and the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies. When companies combine that with mentorship and real experience, the results can be very powerful.” – Andrew

By combining mentorship, real projects, and a supportive learning environment, the Evvo Labs Centre of Excellence is helping shape a new generation of cybersecurity professionals that are ready to tackle the complex nature of the digital future.