Using an isolated network laboratory to teach advanced networks and security

Abstract

This paper discusses the use of an isolated network laboratory to teach computer security using persistent cooperative groups and an active learning approach. Computer security and computer security education are areas of increasing importance as computer systems become more interconnected. When offered, undergraduate and graduate computer security courses are routinely taught using a traditional lecture format. If the course includes a class project, the class project is limited in scope and constitutes a relatively small portion of the student's grade. This paper examines a different approach in which the class project is the dominant factor in the student's grade. The students work in persistent cooperative teams as either a black or gold team. Black teams attempt to break into other black team computers or attack the gold team. The gold team operates Windows NT, LINUX, and Solaris-based servers and attempts to defend their servers and role-play system administrators. The entire exercise takes place in an isolated lab so as to separate student class activities from the rest of the departmental intranet. Four years of experience running the class with this format suggests that the use of persistent cooperative groups and active learning are effective approaches for teaching network security and are preferred over a lecture-based course.

Evaluation of Students' Learning Behaviour and Success as a Prerequisite for Modernizing Practical on Campus Networking Courses in Higher Education

“…by setting up and configuring real world networking scenarios or by analysing network traffic. These kinds of assignments require a safe playground, which is generally known as a computer lab (Bishop and Heberlein, 1996;Hill et al, 2001;Wagner and Wudi, 2004). This lab is usually a room at the university, containing computer systems connected to a network which is completely isolated from the outside world.…”

Georgia Tech Information Security Center Hands-On Network Security Laboratory

“…A common complaint from students who have taken theoretical network security classes was that no apparent way to obtain practical experience, legally and ethically, with network security exists. A large amount of network security course activity was found in literature and Web searches [2]- [11]; however, readily reusable lecture materials or laboratory assignments and laboratory setups that met the goals and objectives of a realistic, hands-on-type learning experience were not found. The existing laboratory infrastructures in the literature consisted of only a few machines and did not approach a "realistic" network topology [4], [6], [7], [10].…”

A Model Curriculum for Security Aspects in IT Education

“…The pedagogical issues related to designing and implementing a cyber warfare laboratory for a computer security course have already been put into exercise 3 on virtual machines. 4,5 In this paper the proposed teaching laboratory model builds on the previously discussed methods of teaching and also adds unique elements that help build a teaching environment that approaches a real world laboratory that is both fun and inspiring students. In order to strengthen laboratory design, it is important to understand the industry's best practices and latest developments.…”