From Student Developer to Security Expert in Less Than 5 Months

Mustapha (Abdulaziz) Sani was studying software engineering in Nigeria when he discovered blockchain technology. Today, this 20-year-old security researcher is finding critical vulnerabilities in smart contracts and helping secure billions in digital assets. 

Here's how Cyfrin Updraft’s courses accelerated Mustapha’s journey from a software development student to a smart contract security expert finding critical bugs on CodeHawks (in less than five months).

My background and path to smart contract security

My journey began in Kano State, Nigeria, where I earned my diploma in software engineering from the Digital Bridge Institute. While my formal education provided a foundation in software development and cybersecurity, my passion for blockchain security emerged more recently.

I discovered blockchain technology last year, and it immediately captured my interest. Just five months ago, I had zero experience with smart contracts, so I approached this systematically. First, I took smart contract development courses on Cyfrin Updraft, focusing on understanding front and backend development. 

Then, I dived into security specifics through Updraft’s comprehensive Smart Contract Security course. This foundation proved crucial for my later success in security auditing.
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The importance of security and my auditing approach

What drives me is the vital impact understanding smart contract security has on blockchain ecosystems. When you consider that projects can lose millions or billions of dollars through a single exploit, the critical importance of robust security becomes clear. I've seen numerous examples where a single vulnerability led to massive financial losses, which motivated me to contribute to making blockchain projects more secure.

That's why my approach to security auditing emphasizes thorough code reviews and comprehensive testing. I believe in the importance of:

• Formal verification to ensure contract correctness
• Fuzz testing for dynamic analysis with random inputs
• Competitive audits to leverage community expertise
• Comprehensive reviews of documentation before diving into code

One unique aspect of my process is my manual approach. While AI tools can help, I chose to focus on meticulous code reviews and in-depth reading of the documentation. This hands-on strategy helps me better understand the smart contracts I’m evaluating, their intended functionality, and potential vulnerabilities.
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My updraft experience

Initially, I struggled to find quality resources. Many YouTube tutorials weren't straightforward enough, and I found myself searching for more structured learning materials. When I discovered Patrick's YouTube channel and then Updraft, it was exactly what I needed. The quality and depth were unmatched, and I couldn't find anything comparable elsewhere, even in paid courses.

When I transitioned to auditing, I realized that what sets Updraft apart is its comprehensive approach to smart contract security. The platform doesn't just teach you how to find vulnerabilities – it helps you understand how contracts work at a fundamental level. This systematic approach was crucial for someone like me who was new to the field.
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How Updraft and CodeHawks changed my life

The skills I gained through Updraft led to my biggest achievement during a competitive audit on CodeHawks: discovering a unique vulnerability that no one else had found. This discovery was particularly significant because it was my first major contribution and happened within just a few months of starting my journey. Of course, the financial reward was also substantial. 

I remember thinking how impossible this seemed at first, but I achieved what I previously thought was unattainable through focused study and practice. The systematic approach I learned through Updraft - from understanding contract fundamentals to identifying complex vulnerabilities - was instrumental in this success.

Thinking about the future, I plan to continue focusing on security research and finding more critical vulnerabilities. My success so far has only strengthened my determination to contribute to making the blockchain ecosystem more secure. I'm particularly interested in exploring more complex vulnerabilities and helping projects implement robust security measures from the ground up.
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Advice for aspiring security researchers

For those looking to enter smart contract security, I can’t stress enough the importance of building a strong foundation. A common mistake I see is people trying to jump directly into security research without understanding the fundamentals of smart contract development. This approach often leads to missed vulnerabilities and superficial analysis. I recommend:

1. Start with basic smart contract development, Solidity 101 on Updraft, for example
2. Master the fundamentals before moving to security
3. Practice thorough code review techniques
4. Build a strong understanding of common vulnerability patterns
5. Develop patience for detailed analysis

When you feel stuck or frustrated, remember Patrick's advice: "Take a break and come back." I've found this simple strategy incredibly effective. Sometimes, stepping away briefly and returning with fresh eyes leads to new insights and solutions. I've experienced this myself during late-night debugging sessions – taking a short break often brings a fresh perspective and new ideas.

Most importantly, don't give up! Keep pushing forward because everything is possible. 

This belief has been my biggest motivation and has proven true in my journey.

Feel free to stay in touch to see what I'm up to or connect and send me a message.