IBU Computer Engineering senior student Yiğit Can Yılmaz received a job offer from Apple.

Yılmaz had identified critical security vulnerabilities in Apple's important security technologies and had been cooperating with Apple until today.

As a young computer engineering student, he joined the Cyber Security Department of the Digital Transformation Office of the President of the Republic of Turkiye as an intern last summer and was later offered a job there as well.

In addition, as a result of Yılmaz's research in the field of cyber security, his name was added to the Hall of Fame of Microsoft, Google, Apple, Brave, DuckDuckGo, Adobe, Automatic, Slack, Canonical, and Mozilla more than 150 times, and his name was cited in world-famous cyber security conferences organized such as BlackHat and Objective-See.

Additionally, he previously received offers from giant companies such as Trendyol and Getir.

1.⁠ ⁠Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a degree in computer engineering at our university?

Since almost my childhood, I've grown up with computers. Vaguely remembering, as a child, I had a desktop computer running Windows XP. Nearly every day was spent playing games on that computer. Eventually, I found myself constantly asking questions like "How does a game work, how does a system work, how was this game developed or being developed." These questions led me towards programming, but eventually, I realized that understanding how something works and finding ways to break or exploit it was more enjoyable than actually creating something, so I gravitated toward cybersecurity. Since then, I've been working in the field of cybersecurity. Throughout this journey, I've received offers from many large organizations such as Getir, Trendyol, and the Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye. My research presented at internationally renowned cybersecurity conferences like BlackHat and Objective-See has been referenced. My name has been added to the Honor Lists of Microsoft, Google, Apple, Brave, DuckDuckGo, Adobe, Automatic, Slack, Canonical, and Mozilla over 150 times.

2.⁠ What sparked your interest in computer engineering, and how has that passion evolved during your time at our university?

Besides the reasons mentioned above, Steve Jobs is my idol in life. Just imagine, you come up with an idea and completely revolutionize the IT industry. Having such a figure in an area I'm already interested in draws me even more towards it. However, merely having an interest and putting in effort in this regard unfortunately isn't enough. That's why it's crucial to pursue academic education and collaborate with and stay in touch with instructors who have dedicated years to this field. I believe it contributes to expanding one's horizons. Therefore, I've come to the conclusion that I need to attend university. Seeing passionate individuals in this field within the university already has a significant impact.

3.⁠ How has our university supported your academic and professional growth? What resources or experiences in your life do you think were most valuable in helping you secure the job offer from Apple?

Speaking of my department, I feel extremely fortunate due to the instructors we have. We have many professors with significant experience in the industry. Listening to their experiences and expertise provides a different perspective and significantly reduces the likelihood of making mistakes. Therefore, you can actually become more familiar with the industry and be much more ahead.

4.⁠ ⁠Can you share the story of how you received the job offer from Apple?

We can say that I have been collaborating with Apple's product security team for about 7 years now. I used to review the security of their developed operating systems and applications, report any issues I found, and occasionally discuss them. Because I was constantly sending reports, I began to stick in the minds of the team members after a while. I even received an email regarding the Kahramanmaraş earthquake, asking if I was okay. I used to receive appreciation emails from them regularly. Apple actually became a part of my life at some point. Later, an Apple representative asked me to choose a suitable open security position for myself and to inform them about it.

5.⁠ ⁠What are your future plans and aspirations in the field of computer engineering, and how do you see your education here influencing your career at Apple and beyond? Can you share a message for our students?

Actually, we never know what the future holds. Technology is evolving much faster than expected, and perhaps I'll shift to a different field, maybe even start my own company; I don't know, time will tell. The only thing I know and desire is to make significant contributions to this industry and leave a positive mark behind. University has given me a different perspective on the industry, which is actually crucial. My advice to students is to constantly develop yourselves in a field, never idle, as time is truly valuable. If I could go back, I would work much harder. Always try to do internships every semester, see the job firsthand, and learn. Remember, what you gain from university is different from the experience the industry provides.