Opened in October 2025, the Cyber Range is like a flight simulator for fending off real-world cyber attacks (like phishing, malware, ransomware and other critical infrastructure threats) with the same tools used by global cybersecurity teams.

One of the few cybersecurity training facilities in Alberta open to students, professionals and industry partners, this high-impact space challenges users to think critically and act decisively in high-pressure environments.

Students in SAIT’s cybersecurity programs have built-in access to the Cyber Range while earning their credential, and it’s also a training hub where corporate cybersecurity teams and IT professionals can experience scenarios customized to address the kinds of threats facing their specific organizations.

The launch of the Cyber Range marks a significant milestone for SAIT Downtown and the School for Advanced Digital Technology. As part of SAIT’s Real Futures campaign, this state-of-the-art space became a reality thanks to a $30-million gift from Calgary philanthropist David Bissett in 2019.

1. Central command centre

This isolated training environment, with its dramatic lighting and rows of computer monitors, is where learners tackle coordinated cyber exercises.

When a facilitator, working from a separate adjoining room, launches a real-world cyber challenge, learners at the Command Centre’s 21 workstations must work together in response — an opportunity to safely test cybersecurity protocol and practice skills like coding, patching, encrypting and deploying.

2. Defender and attacker rooms

To develop a strong defense, you have to think like your opponent. These dedicated team training rooms bring simulated cyber attacks to life.

In the Attacker room, a Red Team works to infiltrate systems and threaten data security. In the Defender room, a Blue Team collaborates to fend off those attacks.

Through these team scenarios, learners find out how to detect, contain and resolve threats under pressure — a high-stakes, hands-on experience that builds confidence and decision-making skills.

3. Customizable simulations

The Cyber Range offers more than 50 cutting-edge simulations of realistic cyber challenges, with more under development.

These team-based training scenarios employ resources used by global cybersecurity teams, including virtualized networks, industry-grade monitoring tools and advanced visualization walls.

The scenarios can range from basic vulnerability assessments to a password cracking simulation, and from brute-force attacks to malicious macros (small programs hidden in documents) that spread malware and gain remote access.