The twenty-seat facility, based in the heart of London, allows cross business teams and IT security staff to simulate and react to a real-life threat in a secure physical environment. It has been designed to facilitate practical, hands-on learning for organisations sending teams to rehearse incident response, conduct digital forensic investigations, create 'offensive defences', undertake security operations, and practice crisis media management.

The Cyber Lab will enable everyone from executive directors to cyber professionals to develop and practice both technical and soft cyber skills applicable to their role.  A variety of off-the-shelf, tailored, and bespoke courses will be available to customers, from crisis communications and media management to team challenges including hackathons and “capture-the-flag”-style team events. In addition, a series of breakfast sessions are planned.

Richard Beck, head of cyber security at QA comments, "Every day, every department in every organisation is at risk of a cyber attack. This situation is exacerbated by an unprecedented shortage of teams with the right skills to help defend corporate data. We've invested over £150,000 in building this unique training facility, which will allow our customers to learn in an environment like no other."

"In cyber warfare, all involved have a role, no matter what their function in the business is.  This is mirrored in our training. Everyone has a role to play when it comes to defending the organisation, from the communications and marketing teams to the PEN testers. It embraces emotional as well as technical training to provide the closest experience an organisation can provide next to the real thing."

The QA Cyber Lab encourages high-octane learning. Scenarios are built around each organisation and the industry they operate in.  It will enable business and technical teams to learn

cyber crisis and communications

• rehearsing incident response
• developing skills to lead and manage in a cyber crisis
• simulating effective inter-departmental communications
• rehearsing industry specific scenarios

digital forensic investigations

• conducting digital investigations relating to malicious activity
• gathering social-media intelligence via “digital treasure hunts”
• accurately collecting and analysing evidence
• mastering the digital forensic tools and techniques
• conducting investigations online and across multiple devices

offensive defence

• developing a defensive shield
• mastering the art of ethical hacking
• using hands-on hacking tools and techniques
• developing proactive defence skills
• taking part in team challenges with ”capture-the-flag” events

security operations

• understanding of the cyber-threat landscape
• keeping up to date with advanced attack, detection, and reporting methods
• simulated cyber-threat lifecycle
• effective security-incident triage