Learning about infocomm-security through cyber wargames

12 Dec 2011. If you're a geek at heart then you should definitely check out the Diploma in Infocomm Security Management's (DISM) Cyber Wargame Centre (CWC).

An amalgamation of cyber gaming and infocomm security concepts, the centre aims to equip students with the right set of skills to deal with real-world security scenarios such as intrusion detection.

Pit yourself against your coursemates as you alternate between the opposing and defending factions to uncover software loopholes using a simulation-based learning approach.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The facility also boasts of four state-of-the-art laboratories:

1) Cyberwatch Competency Centre - Together with partner e-Cop, this centre is the first-of-its-kind in the region, and a critical component in the cyber wargame pedagogy. Leveraging on e-Cop's solutions deployed on Microsoft platforms, the Cyberwatch Competency Centre will be established on Singapore Polytechnic's campus, giving students direct access to the latest defensive technologies at their fingertips.

2) Offensive Attack Lab - This lab is the perfect place for experiential learning in the area of ethical hacking and secure coding practices.

3) Forensics Investigative Lab - This is the space to learn computer forensics and mobile security; the essential knowledge of investigative skills.

4) Malware Analysis Lab - This is where students can learn malware analysis by reverse-engineering malicious software such as viruses, worms, spy ware or phishing ware.

The DISM course takes on an integrated scenario-based learning approach, creating a realistic environment by providing different scenarios for students to learn how to solve real-life problems in a complex environment.

This learning pedagogy will challenge students' intuition, imagination, knowledge and skills through the cyber wargaming approach.

Students of this course can expect to have direct access to the latest defensive technologies at their fingertips, learn ethical hacking, secure code practices, computer forensics and mobile security, as well as how to reverse engineering malicious software.

Excited? So are we! Now, let the hacking begin.

Source: SPBUZZ, by Sandy Lai, Diploma in Media and Communication, Year 3.