Cyber Range as a Competency Based Education Instrument in Cyber Security

Abstract

The importance of Cyber Security is becoming more and more widely known among companies and government institutions. This came at a cost that many business and public administration entities have paid in recent years. This indirect cost is due to the multitude of cyberattacks to which they have been subjected, attacks directed to the IT infrastructures of these entities. Recent studies show that most cyberattacks were based on vulnerabilities caused by the human factor: either directly, through the mishandling of technology (hardware and software), or indirectly, through the misconfiguration of cyber services exposed on the Internet. Cyber Range systems can offer multiple functionalities depending on the field of activity for which they are implemented. One of the main advantages of Cyber Ranges is that these systems can make a major contribution to the digitization of educational platforms, regardless of the field of study. This study aims to contribute to the process of educational environment optimization by addressing the influence of implementing Cyber Range systems as part of the digitalization of the educational process, particularly in the sphere of cybersecurity training. The conclusions presented in this article might have a major positive influence on educational effectiveness if they are implemented. The immediate impact in the field of cybersecurity is a financial one, as trained users reduce the risk of costly cyberattacks.