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The battle against cyber-attacks and hacking rages on. In response, the North East Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas (NEISD) has opened a novel, new cyber security training facility, the Institute of CyberSecurity and Innovation (iCSI). iCSI trains students on how to detect and identify hacks and cyber-attacks and respond to threats.

Students from all seven North East ISD high schools have access to networking and cyber security classes. Students work through a four-year pathway where they have the opportunity to earn professional certifications in the areas of information technology. The curriculum provides students with hands-on learning opportunities and real-world exercises related to the professional skills employers are looking for.

iCSI has two cyber security classrooms designed with the look and feel of a security operations center. Each classroom contains three video walls powered by RGB Spectrum’s Galileo video display processors. A single Galileo processor in each classroom drives the three video walls: two made up of 2x4 arrays of 55-inch LCDs and one larger 2x6.

RGB Spectrum’s Galileo processor was selected for its real-time performance, ability to support a diverse variety of digital and IP-based signal sources, and exceptional 4K image quality.

At iCSI, students learn to build, configure, and secure computer systems and networks within a data center designed specifically for this purpose. Students can deploy hundreds of virtual machines and private networks. They are challenged daily to study key cyber security concepts.

The Galileo processors receive an extensive range of baseband and IP-based inputs: classroom PCs, virtual machines running Open Broadcast Software (OBS) controlling live RTSP streaming feeds, internet traffic analysis, cyber-attack alerts, threat intelligence, local and national web resources, news broadcasts, and social media channels. Content displayed includes dark web transaction monitoring, hacking community chatter, and maps depicting simulated cyber security attack origination and target points. The processors consolidate critical visuals and data to provide a centralized, correlated view to the students. Source signals are displayed in windows of any size, anywhere on the video wall. Instructors can instantly switch and route sources, choose preset display layouts, and pan and zoom to view particular items of interest.

Josh Beck, Senior iCSI Instructor explained, "The RGB Spectrum Galileo fulfills our training objectives very well. This display technology has become key to the instructional process. It is great to be able to have displays of sufficient resolution and size that all students can easily see all relevant information. When we work through step-by-step procedures, it is very easy for all students to see what the Instructor is doing and utilize it as a point of reference.”

Beck continued, "It looks terrific and makes an awesome impression on guests and visitors. It is very flexible and allows Instructors to get creative with lessons and challenges. Overall, it's great."

RGB Spectrum’s CAT-Linx^&trad; 2 HDBaseT extenders were installed to transmit the visuals from the Galileo processor to the video wall monitors. CAT-Linx 2 extenders transmit signals of up to 4K resolution over conventional CAT 5e/6 cable to a length of 330 feet. For installation ease and convenience, these extenders have integrated PoH power to supply endpoints over the same CAT5e/6 cable that carries the video and data signals. This eliminates the need for external power connections. A CAT-Linx 2 pair needs only one power supply connected to either the transmitter or the receiver end to power both devices. The extender’s advanced features include HDCP 2.2, Dolby and DTS HD audio support, as well as serial and IR control of display devices.

For more information on the North East Independent School District’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Innovation, visit neisd.net/icsi