The new space is equipped with 28 workstations featuring large display screens designed to support cyber monitoring and analysis in real time, according to a news release this week. Students will use the range to practice malware analysis, threat hunting, digital forensics and incident response. As part of IBM’s Cyber Campus initiative to bring practical experience to university cybersecurity programs, the setup is intended to simulate the layout and functionality of a professional security operations center (SOC), in order to prepare graduates for workforce expectations.
“We’re helping to strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline and give students some hands-on experience in realistic, enterprise-scale cyber environments,” Rene Plasencia of IBM said in a public statement.
The news release said the cyber range is powered by cloud-based infrastructure from Amazon Web Services and the cyber simulation company Cloud Range. The training environment is aligned with frameworks from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, organizations that guide best practices and workforce-development standards in the cybersecurity industry.
In addition to academic coursework, the cyber range will host cybersecurity competitions, workshops and training events for outside partners, including local businesses and government agencies.
“The [new facility] strategically connects academic instruction with real-world, industry-specific application, developing the technical expertise, critical thinking, and collaborative capabilities required in today’s complex security environment,” Haifa Maamar, executive director of emerging technologies at Full Sail, said in a public statement. “It represents a significant milestone for our emerging technologies programs and directly supports workforce readiness by creating clear pathways for our graduates to enter the cybersecurity industry.”
Cyber ranges like this are growing more common at universities across the U.S., motivated by the need to adapt to technological change and meet workforce demands. For example, universities in Texas, Maryland and West Virginia have all invested in cyber ranges in the last two years.
“Hands-on experience in realistic cyber range environments ensures graduates enter the workforce with more than just certifications,” Cloud Range CEO Debbie Gordon said in a public statement. “They are equipped with real-world skills that align with what employers need today.”
