D 2021

Toolset for Collecting Shell Commands and Its Application in Hands-on Cybersecurity Training

ŠVÁBENSKÝ, Valdemar; Jan VYKOPAL; Daniel TOVARŇÁK and Pavel ČELEDA

Basic information

Original name

Toolset for Collecting Shell Commands and Its Application in Hands-on Cybersecurity Training

Authors

ŠVÁBENSKÝ, Valdemar; Jan VYKOPAL; Daniel TOVARŇÁK and Pavel ČELEDA

Edition

New York, NY, USA, 2021 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), p. 1-9, 9 pp. 2021

Publisher

IEEE

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Proceedings paper

Country of publisher

United States of America

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

Publication form

electronic version available online

References:

URL, URL

Marked to be transferred to RIV

Yes

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14610/21:00121979

Organization

Ústav výpočetní techniky – Repository – Repository

ISBN

978-1-6654-3851-3

ISSN

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE49875.2021.9637052

UT WoS

000821947700003

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-85115803075

Keywords in English

cybersecurity education; host-based monitoring; command-line history; Syslog; virtual machines; sandbox; educational data mining; learning analytics; learning technology

Links

EF16_019/0000822, research and development project.
Changed: 31/3/2023 04:06, RNDr. Daniel Jakubík

Abstract

In the original language

This Full Paper in the Innovative Practice category presents and evaluates a technical innovation for hands-on classes. When learning cybersecurity, operating systems, or networking, students perform practical tasks using a broad range of command-line tools. Collecting and analyzing data about the command usage can reveal valuable insights into how students progress and where they make mistakes. However, few learning environments support recording and inspecting command-line inputs, and setting up an efficient infrastructure for this purpose is challenging. To aid engineering and computing educators, we share the design and implementation of an open-source toolset for logging commands that students execute on Linux machines. Compared to basic solutions, such as shell history files, the toolset's novelty and added value are threefold. First, its configuration is automated so that it can be easily used in classes on different topics. Second, it collects metadata about the command execution, such as a timestamp, hostname, and IP address. Third, all data are instantly forwarded to central storage in a unified, semi-structured format. This enables automated processing of the data, both in real-time and post hoc, to enhance the instructors' understanding of student actions. The toolset works independently of the teaching content, the training network's topology, or the number of students working in parallel. We demonstrated the toolset’s value in two learning environments at four training sessions. Over two semesters, 50 students played educational cybersecurity games using a Linux command-line interface. Each training session lasted approximately two hours, during which we recorded 4439 shell commands. The semi-automated data analysis revealed different solution patterns, used tools, and misconceptions of students. Our insights from creating the toolset and applying it in teaching practice are relevant for instructors, researchers, and developers of learning environments. We provide the software and data resulting from this work so that others can use them in their hands-on classes.
Displayed: 6/5/2026 11:09