Introduction
Creating a secure environment for ethical hacking and cybersecurity training is essential to avoid risks to live systems. To address this, I developed a virtual lab using industry-standard tools like VirtualBox and Kali Linux.
- Client :John Mitchell
- Project Type :Cyber Security
- Duration :1 Week
- Completion :15 Apr 2023
Client’s Problem
A training institute faced challenges in providing their students with a safe, hands-on environment to practice penetration testing. Their main concern was avoiding the high costs of physical labs and ensuring safety while working on vulnerable systems.
Our Strategies
- Designed a virtual lab setup using free and open-source tools.
- Focused on scalability, so the lab could handle multiple users simultaneously.
- Ensured the environment mimicked real-world scenarios with an attacker machine (Kali Linux) and a vulnerable target (Metasploitable2).
Our approach
- Requirement Gathering: Consulted with the client to understand their needs and preferred tools.
- Environment Setup: Installed VirtualBox and configured the virtual machines with appropriate network settings (NAT and Host-Only).
- Lab Testing: Simulated penetration testing activities like network scanning and basic exploits.
- Documentation: Created a step-by-step guide for the institute to replicate the setup.
Results
The institute successfully implemented the virtual lab, saving over 70% of their initial budget. Students gained hands-on experience with penetration testing tools like Nmap, Metasploit, and Wireshark in a controlled and secure environment. The solution was scalable and easy to maintain, ensuring long-term value.