Online Lab for Network Security Courses Delivered via Distance Learning

Yang, Biwu         (252) 328-4079

Professor

Industrial Technology

East Carolina University

Abstract (up to 200 words):
Network security has evidenced its important role during the serious network security and computer virus attacks over recent years. Educational institutions have recognized the need for qualified professionals and Network Security (or Information Security) curricula have been developed. A key to the success of such a curriculum is to provide lab activities for students to learn and practice the various technologies to identify and to take pro-active actions toward attacks. Due to the nature of these exercises, the lab activities must be carefully designed so that they will not cause any harm to the normal operation of data communication network on the campus. This requirement can be easily addressed for an on-campus lab with an isolated network design. However, it is a challenge in designing an online lab for distance learning courses because the Internet connectivity through campus network infrastructure is necessary for students to access the online lab. All factors must be considered in order to provide effective lab activities while protecting the campus network infrastructure from disturbance, either intentionally or unintentionally. This presentation describes an online lab in teaching network security courses via distance learning. Various aspects for the online lab will be discussed, including network infrastructure design, means to provide secure access to the online lab, lab activity design, and measures to protect campus network infrastructure. This online lab has been used for several network security related courses.

Session type:
Poster session (all day, 45 minutes interactive)

Time slots:
P2 - Fr 2:45 - 3:30

Room:
Prefunction

Last Modified September 9, 2003
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