6. Building cyber ranges

Cyber ranges are facilities that can simulate ransomware attacks and other threats so students and workers can get hands-on training. Universities and colleges around the country house cyber ranges, including Virginia Tech, the University of West Florida, Metropolitan State University in Minnesota and Louisiana State University. At Louisiana State University’s cyber range, 100 students each semester participate in cybersecurity exercises.

Universities change the training offered at their ranges as new cybersecurity threats emerge. They also partner with private companies to develop lessons. One such company, Cyberbit, incorporates the tools that cybersecurity professionals use to defend against attacks into its simulations, and offers training on cloud-based attacks, as more organizations adopt cloud technologies.