The UMBC Graduate Cybersecurity Program is pleased to announce that it will incorporate the CyberNEXS virtual training environment within its courses and activities during AY14-15. Assistant CYBR GPD Ben Shariati was instrumental in bringing this technical capability to the CYBR program, beginning with CYBER 620 at Shady Grove this fall.

Through CyberNEXS, students are able to connect into its cloud-based “cyber range” to conduct hands-on system administration, security, research, and systems analysis activities in a sandboxed private environment capable of presenting multiple server, desktop, and other devices in a variety of networked configurations. Student activities can be scored and/or monitored for overall success and effectiveness over time.

Since 2011, CyberNEXS has served as the competitive environment for the Maryland Cyber Challenge.

CyberNEXS is provided to UMBC by Leidos, a leading cybersecurity firm supporting US government activities.