Cloud-Based Cybersecurity Training Lab Creation

Tender for Cloud-Based Cybersecurity Training Lab Project Overview We invites qualified vendors to submit proposals for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a cloud-based cybersecurity training lab. This lab will provide secure, scalable virtual training environments for students, supporting practical cybersecurity education through hands-on lab exercises. The solution should accommodate up to 50 virtual computers, with each student provided a unique, individual account. Scope of Work The selected vendor will be responsible for the design, deployment, and ongoing management of a virtual lab infrastructure, including an administrative dashboard, student dashboard, and secure virtual environments for cybersecurity training. The system should support access to various cybersecurity tools and training resources, with robust security and compliance standards in place. System Requirements Admin Dashboard User Management: Functionality to create, manage, and delete user accounts. Access Control: Role-based access for administrators and instructors. Monitoring and Reporting: Real-time monitoring of lab usage, student activity, and performance metrics, with downloadable reports. Resource Allocation: Ability to allocate and reallocate cloud resources as needed. Notifications System: Capacity to send alerts and notifications regarding lab sessions, deadlines, and maintenance. Backup & Recovery: System backups and data recovery options to ensure data integrity and minimize downtime. Student Dashboard Single Sign-On (SSO): Simplified, secure login for students. Course Content Access: Organized access to courses, labs, and exercises categorized by skill level or topic. Lab Access: One-click access to dedicated virtual machines or environments for each student. Progress Tracking: Display individual progress and scores. Resource Usage View: Overview of allocated resources and VM usage status. Support & Documentation: Access to support resources, FAQs, and contact options for technical issues. Virtual Lab Infrastructure Virtual Machines (VMs): 50 VMs or containers, configured for cybersecurity exercises with necessary tools pre-installed. Configuration Management: Ability to pre-configure and manage tools (e.g., Kali Linux, Wireshark, Metasploit). Scalability: Adjustable resources to accommodate varying class sizes. Snapshot & Reset Functionality: Each VM should support reset to a clean state post-session. Network Simulation: Capability for simulating real-world network environments and network traffic. Secure Access: Enforced secure VPN or SSH access for students to their environments. Performance & Resource Management Load Balancing: System should balance loads across the cloud infrastructure to ensure smooth operation. Resource Monitoring: Dashboard tools for monitoring CPU, memory, and bandwidth usage. Cost Optimization: Cost management tools to provide insights and recommendations for cloud resource optimization. Security & Compliance User Authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for both administrators and students. Data Encryption: Encryption for all data in transit and at rest. Audit Logs: Maintain logs of user activity for auditing purposes. Compliance: Adherence to industry standards for data protection and privacy (e.g., FERPA). Technical Support & Maintenance Real-Time Support: Availability of technical support, preferably during lab hours. Documentation: Provision of training materials and system documentation for users. System Updates: Regular updates, including security patches and feature enhancements. Proposal Submission Requirements Vendors should include the following in their proposal: Your background and relevant experience. Detailed technical proposal addressing each system requirement. Project timeline, including milestones. Cost breakdown, including initial setup, annual fees, and any additional charges. Description of post-deployment support and maintenance services. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on: Technical Merit: Extent to which the proposed solution meets the system requirements. Experience and Expertise: Experience in providing similar solutions for educational institutions. Cost Effectiveness: Overall cost, including setup and annual fees. Support and Maintenance: Availability and quality of post-implementation support.