Context
The aim of this project is to create a cyber range in Slovakia, named BinConf Range, which will provide advanced training and education in IT operations and security management. The envisioned center aims to serve IT security professionals from both the public and private sectors, along with students from high schools and universities who seek to improve their knowledge and skills in this field. BinConf range aims to address the insufficient attention given to critical sectors for national and European cybersecurity strategies. We possess the expertise and competence required to create such a cyber range, as evidenced by the well-planned proposal presented below. BinConf range seeks to fill a critical gap in the cybersecurity market, creating a long-lasting and impactful training resource.
Motivation behind building this wargame arena is following:
Location. There is a plan for government arena and there is a university range in Brno, Czechia. Based on our knowledge and market research, most (like 99%) local cybersecurity experts have not had a chance to train their skills in a cyber range. We want to make attending a cyber range normal and regular thing, that should be done if not yearly, then every other year (of course frequency depends on role, risk profile etc.).
Education. Formal security education in Slovakia is virtually non-existent and it is very difficult to find a skilled cybersecurity engineer. We want to focus on high schools and even elementary schools to spark interest among students in cybersecurity career. We will have special in person demonstrations and trainings for schools done by our staff free of charge during duration of the project. We will also create a special program for teachers, who will be able to deliver a simplified the training themselves using our platform (basically an on-demand cyber learning followed by training). This on-demand module will also be used at universities, which will be able to run their own scenarios as defenders or attackers all from their normal PC equipped classrooms.
Binary Confidence has been running an annual reputable cyber arena competition called Guardians.sk open to public in for 6 years. By doing so, we are helping to build an expert community and promote the professionalization of the cybersecurity industry in Slovakia. If this project is awarded, we will be able to create a special edition of Guardians.sk for high schools that should be a) an effective tool to bring more students into cyber security and b) very effective dissemination tool.
Objectives
Hub for cooperation and development. By employing cybersecurity experts, bringing in new students, and training new experts we want to serve as a hub for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among cybersecurity professionals, helping to foster a more knowledgeable and skilled cybersecurity community. This should be helped by an employee/student development program together with collaborative tools that enable teamwork development and knowledge sharing.
Cooperation with other cyber ranges. We will cooperate with KYPO cyber arena in Brno, Czechia and with the government arena based on sharing training scenarios through a common scenario repository.
These two cyber arenas will play integral roles in advancing our activities. KYPO Cyber Arena not only brings a wealth of expertise in developing sophisticated training scenarios but also possesses valuable experience in operating a successful cyber range. Their extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in managing and overseeing a cyber range will significantly contribute to our project. Their guidance and expert consulting will prove invaluable as they can provide insights and solutions to potential challenges we may face during the implementation and operation of our range. Their expertise will help us navigate complexities and ensure a smooth and effective functioning of the range.
Additionally, the engagement of the arena, currently being developed by the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic, will bring valuable insights and guidance to our project. Their involvement will help us navigate the intricacies and unique considerations associated with cybersecurity in government settings – (one of our target sectors). Their expertise will aid us in tailoring our training activities to address specific conditions, regulations, and best practices. By leveraging their domain knowledge, we will ensure that our training programs remain up-to-date and aligned with the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
Through our collaboration with KYPO Cyber Arena and the proposed government arena, we will establish a powerful synergy that amplifies the impact of our project. One of the key outcomes of our partnership will be the creation of a shared scenario repository, which will serve as a valuable resource for all three arenas. This repository will house a vast collection of diverse and realistic training scenarios that draw upon the expertise and experiences of both KYPO Cyber Arena and our team.
The collective knowledge and resources brought by these external entities will significantly enhance the quality and relevance of our training scenarios. This collaborative effort will ensure that our participants receive highly effective and immersive cybersecurity training, equipping them to confidently respond to emerging threats.
Furthermore, this collaboration will foster a strong and interconnected consortium, encouraging active collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement in the field of cybersecurity. By leveraging the unique expertise and perspectives of all involved parties, we will collectively advance the state of cybersecurity training and elevate the capabilities of our participants. This joint effort will create a synergy that propels the entire consortium forward, ultimately leading to a more robust and resilient cybersecurity landscape.
Special features not available elsewhere in wider region will be that this wargame arena will incorporate following:
- IoT
- Industrial control systems and home automation,
- Software defined radios and jammers,
- RFID and NFC
- Gamification elements and expert development program.
BinConf Range will be a cyber defence training and exercise system, based on a controlled and isolated virtual environment, designed to simulate part or the whole network and systems of an organization, with both legitimate and malicious traffic. This way all the Wargame range scenarios are run in a fully-mastered, controlled and isolated environment. The arena will include practical technical and soft skill trainings on comprehensive security strategy and real-life cyber-attacks. Arena infrastructure will emulate the real infrastructure, allowing to have a comprehensive set of meaningful threat scenarios and cyberattacks.
The arena shall link (or transform) theoretical knowledge in the field of security with practical experience (real incident response). The aim of the solution is to train IT and security experts to:
- respond quickly and effectively to an ongoing security incident,
- better defence against cyber-attacks,
- better understanding of attacks through training,
- be able to understand how hackers think, so that defenders can put this mindset to work, helping secure their business.
