About Cybersecurity Labs
NDG offers cybersecurity lab content for NETLAB+ covering ethical hacking, digital forensics, network security, security certifications, and critical infrastructure. Labs are developed by NDG, NISGTC, and CCCCO to give learners hands-on experience with real-world security tools and techniques.
Available Labs (6)
NDG Ethical Hacking v2
Hands-on experience conducting ethical hacking practices including reconnaissance, exploitation, and social engineering.
NDG Forensics v2
Hands-on experience in digital forensics practices including imaging, analysis, and chain of custody.
NDG Security+ v4
Hands-on practice in network security principles and best practices, aligned to CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601) certification.
NDG CySA+
Hands-on practice in behavioral analytics skills to identify vulnerabilities, threats, and risks to an organization.
CCCCO CySA+
State-funded CySA+ labs providing hands-on practice in behavioral analytics and threat detection skills.
NDG Intro to Critical Infrastructure for IT Learners
Hands-on experience with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, Modbus, and critical infrastructure cybersecurity concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cybersecurity topics are covered?
Labs cover ethical hacking (penetration testing, reconnaissance, exploitation), digital forensics (imaging, analysis, chain of custody), CompTIA Security+ and CySA+ certification prep, network security, Python for security, and critical infrastructure/ICS security.
What tools will learners use in the cybersecurity labs?
Learners work with industry-standard tools including Kali Linux, Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark, OpenVAS, John the Ripper, Hashcat, Autopsy, CAINE, Security Onion, Snort, and OSSIM, all pre-configured in NETLAB+ lab pods.
Do the labs align with industry certifications?
Yes. Security+ labs map to CompTIA SY0-601 exam objectives. CySA+ labs map to CompTIA CS0-002 objectives. Ethical Hacking labs align with CEH, CompTIA PenTest+, and EC-Council certifications.
Who are the cybersecurity labs designed for?
The labs serve a range of skill levels. Security+ and Ethical Hacking are suitable for learners building foundational security skills. CySA+ targets intermediate analysts. Critical Infrastructure labs offer introductory OT content for IT learners, with advanced labs for those with networking and cybersecurity backgrounds.
How are the lab environments set up?
Each lab series uses a dedicated pod with pre-configured virtual machines accessed remotely through NETLAB+. Pods include attacker machines, target systems, firewalls, and monitoring tools, providing realistic environments for hands-on practice.
Organizations using Cybersecurity labs
NETLAB+ has enabled us to provide hands-on training that would otherwise be financially out of reach for individual colleges.
BACCC Program Coordinator
Program Coordinator, Bay Area Community College Consortium
Our students are getting jobs at national labs, at Intel, at Sandia — places they never thought they could work.
IT Program Director
IT Program Director, Northern New Mexico College
NETLAB+ enables our students to practice industry skills. Our students have around-the-clock access to real equipment and virtual machines. Our instructors value the lab automation and management.
Dr. John Sands
Department Chair, Moraine Valley Community College