A live virtual simulator for teaching cybersecurity to information technology students

Abstract

This paper introduces an Intelligent Training Exercise Environment (i-tee), a fully automated, open source platform for cyber defense classes and competitions. The platform allows to simulate realistic cyberattack situation in virtual and sandboxed environment to give a hands-on experience of a critical situation. The main outcome is an open source virtual cyber simulator that enables hands-on, practical learning. The platform can be integrated into existing curricula or used to create a new subject or a competition event. A student needs only a web browser and a remote desktop protocol client to start exploring the system.