Abstract:

Modern cybersecurity education requires secure, scalable, and cost-effective practical environments, requirements that traditional physical laboratories often fail to meet due to high infrastructure costs and rigid security constraints. This paper proposes a novel, lightweight alternative using edge-computing devices, such as NVIDIA Jetson Nano units, to create self-contained, portable lab ecosystems. Several devices can be connected via local switches to establish an isolated LAN that facilitates realistic "attacker-victim" scenarios. This architecture replicates complex penetration testing and defensive monitoring environments while minimising the operational overhead of traditional hardware.

Experiments across several domains can be conducted to validate the usability of the concept. This includes domains such as network reconnaissance, protocol analysis, and intrusion detection/prevention (IDS/IPS) systems. This study investigates the potential of edge‑based virtualised environments to support high‑fidelity cybersecurity training and practical exercises. By evaluating key performance metrics including computational capacity, latency behaviour, network isolation, and deployment reproducibility, the research aims to determine whether such environments can provide an effective, scalable alternative to traditional laboratory infrastructures. The analysis of these metrics will clarify the extent to which edge‑based architectures can enhance learner autonomy in self‑directed study scenarios while also reducing operational risks for educators during exercise deployment. The outcomes of this work are will inform a sustainable, modular framework suitable for institutions with spatial or budgetary constraints, laying the groundwork for future expansion into containerised or hybrid‑cloud teaching models.

Keywords:

Technology, education, cyber security.