Announcing the WInners of the 2026 Tools Competition!

2026 Winner

ARISE Cyber Labs

Turning abstract IT and cybersecurity concepts into hands-on labs students can run on any device

United States of America

Focus Area:

Post-Secondary Learning

Prize Level:

Catalyst Prize

Project Description

ARISE Cyber Labs is a browser-based augmented reality platform that transforms abstract IT and cybersecurity concepts into tangible learning experiences students can physically construct on their desks. It runs on nearly any laptop or phone with no installation or specialized hardware needed and integrates seamlessly into most learning management systems. By externalizing invisible spatial relationships, ARISE reduces cognitive load and builds systems-level mental models that traditional flat diagrams and text problems struggle to develop. Students can construct 3D network topologies, observe trace attack paths through the architectures they have built, and physically place a firewall between network segments to watch packets get filtered in real time. ARISE removes the great cost and infrastructure barriers that have long kept hands-on cybersecurity training out of reach for community colleges, online programs, and under-resourced institutions.

Meet Our Team

Steven Moore

Assistant Professor, George Mason University

John Stamper

Associate Professor, Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University

Tanvi Domadia

Senior Learning Engineer, Simon Initiative, Carnegie Mellon University

Gautam Yadav

Senior Learning Engineer, Carnegie Mellon University