ETHACA - A Container-Based Cyber Range for Research and Education

The advent of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has revolutionized manufacturing and production systems, enhancing efficiency and communication through the integration of advanced technologies such as IoT devices and AI. However, this increased digitization has also led to heightened cybersecurity risks, with a notable rise in the frequency and complexity of cyber-attacks. Cyber Ranges emerges as a critical solution in addressing these challenges, offering a controlled environment for simulating cyber-attack scenarios, training cybersecurity teams, and developing robust defense strategies. The escalating demand for cybersecurity professionals has highlighted the crucial need for effective training solutions. This article presents an open-source Cyber Range constructed on container-based architecture, meticulously engineered for efficient operation with minimal resource consumption. In response to the scarcity of cybersecurity experts, this platform prioritizes extensive scalability and robust isolation between exercises, ensuring secure learning environments, and also integrates a complex developed exercise series aimed at strengthening cybersecurity learning experiences. These exercises encompass a variety of scenarios and challenges, catering to professionals at different skill levels. Each exercise replicates real-world cyber threats, offering practical, hands-on learning opportunities. Additionally, a comprehensive questionnaire accompanies these exercises, designed to gather feedback on participants' experiences.