"Cyber Education Motivated the Creation of the Virtual Instruction Cloud CLaaS, a New Distance Learning Modality"

Cyber security training and skills can best be learned by hands-on, experiential learning.Virtualization facilitated the delivery of the computing resources needed to complete hands-on lab exercises.The accelerated need for cyber warriors in the workforce led to the design of an online MS in Cyber Security (MSCS) program in an internet-paced delivery modality of onecourse-per-month format.Usage of a virtual computer lab for hands-on learning in both the online and onsite curriculum became the signature differentiator for this MSCS program.Out of necessity, the delivery infrastructure evolved from a LAN to a private cloud as virtualization facilitated cloud deployment.The progression has been "hands-on", "virtualization", "need for accelerated teaching", "online", "one-course-per-month" to "cloud".The constant challenges of managing a sophisticated private cloud for National University led the authors to identify the requirements embodied in the class/lab module of the Virtual Instruction Cloud (VIC), a new model for distance education.CLaaS, or Computer Lab-as-a-Service is a trademark of iNetwork and embodies features of the class/lab module.Additionally, recent advances in technology including new mobile devices, the ability of MOOCs to reach thousands of students (distance learners) and the wide spread use of social media as a ubiquitous communication method have reshaped the educational environment, reinforcing the need for CLaaS.A Computer Lab as a Service (CLaaS) in the cloud enhances the educational content delivered by MOOCs; and specifically, cyber MOOCs.Together, VIC and its computer class/lab module, herein referred to as CLaaS, deliver new technology, provide provenance for new forms of educational content, protect developer IP and also protect academic revenue streams.This paper describes CLaaS.CLaaS allows the instructor to return her focus to teaching.Today, CLaaS is particularly useful in meeting the special needs of the cyber education community in its drive to better prepare cyber warriors to secure the future of our global infrastructure and economy.