Energus - Cyber Lab

The technology is a key focus in the room. From the large front of house displays, touch table device to the projectors it’s fully collaborative. Students can share what they’re doing with the other students and with the tutor.
 

- Bradley Cleaver, IT Service Lead, Energus

Immersive lab dedicated to boosting Cyber Security resilience.

The Brief

Keeping businesses safe from the increasing threat of cyber-attack is a priority for Energus & the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), who now recognise cybercrime as one of the greatest security-related challenges they face.

The Cyber Lab, the first of its kind in the North West, is an important part of the strategy to build resilience against cybercrime. Complete with an immersive environment capable of simulating the experience of an attack, the lab is used to deliver apprenticeship frameworks, STEM programmes and commercial training to equip the NDA Group, Nuclear Supply chain and local businesses with the skills to defend critical infrastructure and business services against Cyber Attacks.

Energus set out to create an immersive experience with impact; a space that would not look anything like a standard classroom. They needed a system fully isolated away from the Energus production network, to allow the simulation of virus attacks without risk to the Energus network.

The Solution

Pure AV worked closely with brand design agency FPP to develop the visual concept for the space and the end result combines dynamic lighting and striking room graphics to create an instant impact on learners and ready them to immerse themselves in the task at hand.

The audiovisual system created by Pure AV enables the flexible delivery of teaching content and active engagement between apprentice and course leader as they learn how to tackle viruses and experience simulated cyber-attack.

The technology in the room has been selected and integrated by Pure AV to enable the easy sharing of content between the various display devices and make the control of the environment a straightforward, uncomplicated experience.

The user interface based around a 10-inch touchscreen is custom designed to make it easy for users to select which source should go to each display. It also offers full control of the colour changing DMX lighting system which is fully integrated within the main AV control system.

The tutor has the ability to change the look, feel and atmosphere of the room at the touch of a button. The innovative system makes it possible for the room colour to be altered in response to the activity taking place. The space can turn red during a cyber-attack and then gradually change from red to green as the attack is defended, all controlled from the main user interface.

The Results

The lighting and graphics immerse the apprentices in the learning space. We can simulate lock down and change the lighting to red to simulate a cyber-attack and then split the room to defend and attack, using the lighting to intensify the in-room experience.
 

- Bradley Cleaver, IT Service Lead, Energus

The room environment has made an impression on users, presenting a flexible space where large amounts of information can be quickly and easily exchanged.

The audio and visuals helped me feel as though the training was real, even though it was all simulated. The use of multiple platforms, such as large touch screen tablets and displays through to projecting images onto walls, was extremely helpful.
 

- Ellie Haggart, Cyber security apprentice

The capabilities of the room have exceeded expectations and the next step is engaging with other organisations within the Nuclear Supply chain. Currently, we are working in the nuclear industry, but we want to work with local government, local education and the wider business community. Everybody needs some sort of cyber training and it can all be delivered from this lab.
 

- Adrienne Easterbrook, General Manager, Energus