Top 239+ Cyber Security Project Ideas 2025-26

In today’s digital world, cyber security plays a crucial role in protecting sensitive information, systems, and networks from cyber threats. With cyber attacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, the demand for skilled professionals in this field is rising rapidly. One of the best ways to gain practical knowledge and build a strong foundation in cyber security is by working on real-world projects.

Whether you are a student, beginner, or aspiring ethical hacker, doing cyber security projects can help you understand core concepts, tools, and techniques in a hands-on way. These projects not only improve your problem-solving abilities but also make your resume stand out to potential employers.

In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to know about cyber security project ideas—why they matter, how to choose the right one, tools you need, tips to get started, and a categorized list of project ideas to fit your skill level. Plus, we’ll walk you through a sample project to give you a clearer picture.

Let’s get started on your journey to becoming a cyber security expert!

Why Do Cyber Security Projects?

Practical projects let you:

1. Apply theory: Move beyond lectures and textbooks to real tools and techniques.
2. Build a portfolio: Showcase your skills to employers or clients.
3. Stay updated: Cyber threats evolve constantly—projects keep you current.
4. Solve real problems: Identify vulnerabilities and defend systems in realistic scenarios.

Must Read: Top 267+ Smart Goal Project Ideas: Tips, Examples, & Benefits

What You Need to Get Started

Before you jump into a project, make sure you have:

• A suitable computer: A laptop or desktop capable of running virtual machines (at least 8 GB RAM).
• Virtualization software: VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V.
• Operating systems images: Kali Linux for offensive testing, Ubuntu or Windows for targets.
• Basic tools: Wireshark (network analysis), Nmap (scanning), Burp Suite (web testing).
• Learning resources: Online tutorials, documentation, and cyber security blogs.
• A safe lab environment: Never test attacks on production systems or without permission.

Tips for Choosing the Right Project

1. Match your skill level: Start simple if you’re a beginner, then progress.
2. Align with your interests: Web apps, networks, mobile, IoT, or malware analysis.
3. Consider time and scope: A good project should be completable in a few days to weeks.
4. Use open‑source tools: They’re free and have active communities.
5. Document everything: Keep notes, screenshots, and code to build your portfolio.

Top 239+ Cyber Security Project Ideas 2025-26

Network Security

1. Network Traffic Analyzer
   Build a tool that captures and displays network packets in real time. You need Python and Wireshark libraries. Tip: start by filtering HTTP traffic. Benefit: learn how data moves on a network.
2. Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
   Create a simple IDS that flags suspicious patterns. You need Snort rules and a Linux VM. Tip: define clear signatures first. Benefit: understand how attacks are detected.
3. Firewall Rule Manager
   Develop a web interface to manage iptables rules. You need Linux, Node.js, and iptables. Tip: test rules incrementally. Benefit: practice securing servers.
4. Port Scanner GUI
   Make a desktop app that scans for open ports. You need Python (Tkinter) and Scapy. Tip: throttle your scans to avoid flooding. Benefit: see how attackers map networks.
5. VPN Setup Script
   Write a script to automate OpenVPN server setup. You need a VPS and bash scripting. Tip: use fail2ban for extra protection. Benefit: learn secure remote access.
6. Secure DNS Resolver
   Build a DNS resolver that filters malicious domains. You need Python and public threat feeds. Tip: cache responses for speed. Benefit: improve DNS security awareness.
7. Network Performance Monitor
   Create a tool that alerts when bandwidth spikes. You need SNMP libraries and a database. Tip: set sensible thresholds. Benefit: detect DoS attempts early.
8. Wireless Traffic Logger
   Capture and classify Wi‑Fi packets. You need a wireless adapter in monitor mode and Scapy. Tip: work in a quiet channel to reduce noise. Benefit: explore wireless vulnerabilities.
9. ARP Spoofing Detector
   Write a service that watches for ARP table changes. You need Python and raw sockets. Tip: log all alerts for review. Benefit: defend against LAN‑based attacks.
10. Network Access Control (NAC)
    Prototype a system that grants or denies devices. You need a web server and MAC-based policies. Tip: start with a small device list. Benefit: control who joins your network.
11. Bandwidth Throttler
    Implement traffic shaping for certain IPs or ports. You need Linux tc tool and scripting. Tip: test with iperf. Benefit: manage network load securely.
12. SSH Honeypot
    Deploy a fake SSH server that logs attacker attempts. You need Cowrie or a custom Python server. Tip: isolate it on its own VM. Benefit: learn attacker tactics.
13. SSL Certificate Monitor
    Build a tool to check expiry and configuration of HTTPS sites. You need OpenSSL commands and cron jobs. Tip: handle errors gracefully. Benefit: prevent site outages.
14. VPN Client App
    Create a simple GUI for connecting to VPNs. You need Electron or Qt and OpenVPN. Tip: store credentials securely. Benefit: learn user‑friendly security.
15. Network Policy Simulator
    Simulate and test ACLs before deployment. You need a mini topology (GNS3) and policy scripts. Tip: start with two nodes. Benefit: avoid misconfigurations.
16. Rogue DHCP Detector
    Detect unauthorized DHCP servers on your LAN. You need Scapy and background sniffing. Tip: alert via email or SMS. Benefit: mitigate network hijacking.
17. SSL Strip Demonstrator
    Show how HTTPS can be downgraded. You need a proxy script and test site. Tip: use ethical, isolated environment. Benefit: understand man‑in‑the‑middle risks.
18. IPv6 Security Checker
    Scan a network for IPv6 misconfigurations. You need Scapy’s IPv6 support. Tip: research common IPv6 attacks. Benefit: prepare for modern networks.
19. Network Segmentation Planner
    Visualize and recommend VLAN boundaries. You need a topology parser and graph library. Tip: start with small office layout. Benefit: improve security by design.
20. Packet Replay Tool
    Capture and replay specific flows. You need tcpreplay and pcap files. Tip: label your captures well. Benefit: test IDS/IPS accuracy.

Web Application Security

21. SQL Injection Tester
    Build a scanner for common SQLi patterns. You need Python (requests) and a test app. Tip: include blind‑SQL techniques. Benefit: learn database attack vectors.
22. XSS Vulnerability Scanner
    Detect reflected and stored XSS. You need a headless browser (Puppeteer) and payload list. Tip: sanitize your own inputs. Benefit: secure user-facing forms.
23. CSRF Exploit Demo
    Create a demo showing CSRF risks. You need a simple two‑form web app. Tip: implement and then bypass CSRF tokens. Benefit: understand token use.
24. Web App Firewall (WAF) Prototype
    Filter malicious HTTP requests. You need Node.js middleware and common attack signatures. Tip: log blocked requests. Benefit: learn HTTP inspection.
25. Login Rate Limiter
    Throttle repeated login attempts. You need Redis and Express.js. Tip: configure sensible limits. Benefit: protect against brute force.
26. OAuth2 Flow Tester
    Implement and test OAuth2 authorization. You need a mock identity server and client. Tip: handle token refresh. Benefit: secure API access.
27. Password Strength Meter
    Build a UI widget that rates passwords. You need JavaScript and zxcvbn library. Tip: give clear user feedback. Benefit: encourage strong passwords.
28. Session Hijack Simulator
    Show how stolen session IDs can be reused. You need a demo web app and cookie interceptor. Tip: use HTTPS to fix it. Benefit: learn cookie security.
29. File Upload Scanner
    Check uploaded files for malware and extensions. You need ClamAV integration and file type checks. Tip: enforce size limits. Benefit: prevent server compromise.
30. Security Headers Checker
    Scan sites for missing HTTP headers. You need Python (requests) and a rule set. Tip: include CSP and HSTS. Benefit: harden web servers.
31. API Key Vault
    Create a secure store for API keys. You need encryption library and simple UI. Tip: never log raw keys. Benefit: protect sensitive credentials.
32. Rate‑Limited API Gateway
    Enforce quotas on API calls. You need Go or Python and in‑memory counters. Tip: handle burst traffic. Benefit: prevent abuse.
33. Directory Traversal Tester
    Find path‑access vulnerabilities. You need fuzzing scripts. Tip: test dot‑dot encodings. Benefit: secure file access.
34. JSON Web Token (JWT) Audit
    Analyze and validate JWTs. You need a parser and validation rules. Tip: check signature algorithms. Benefit: trust your tokens.
35. Clickjacking Demo
    Show how framing can steal clicks. You need a demo page and frame. Tip: add X‑Frame‑Options to fix. Benefit: learn UI security.
36. Web Crawler for Sensitive Data
    Crawl and flag exposed secrets. You need Scrapy and keyword lists. Tip: respect robots.txt in tests. Benefit: find accidental leaks.
37. HTML5 Security Features Explorer
    Test features like sandboxed iframes. You need a sample app. Tip: compare no‑sandbox vs sandbox. Benefit: use modern defenses.
38. SSL Labs API Integrator
    Automate SSL/TLS grading. You need Python and SSL Labs API. Tip: schedule regular scans. Benefit: ensure strong encryption.
39. WebSocket Security Tester
    Check message integrity and origin. You need a Node.js WebSocket server. Tip: test origin header. Benefit: secure real‑time apps.
40. Content Security Policy (CSP) Builder
    Generate CSP headers based on site content. You need a crawler and header generator. Tip: start in report‑only mode. Benefit: prevent XSS.

Cryptography

41. AES Encryption Tool
    Build a GUI to encrypt/decrypt files. You need Python (PyCryptodome). Tip: use secure key storage. Benefit: learn symmetric crypto.
42. RSA Key Generator
    Create and manage RSA key pairs. You need Python and big‑integer libraries. Tip: use safe prime generation. Benefit: understand public‑key crypto.
43. Hash Collision Finder
    Demonstrate MD5 or SHA-1 collisions. You need known collision tools. Tip: compare secure hashes like SHA‑256. Benefit: grasp hash weaknesses.
44. Steganography App
    Hide text in images. You need Python (PIL) and bit‑level ops. Tip: avoid visible artifacts. Benefit: learn covert channels.
45. Secure Chat with Diffie-Hellman
    Build a chat app with DH key exchange. You need sockets and crypto libraries. Tip: validate public keys. Benefit: practice secure messaging.
46. Password Manager Prototype
    Store encrypted credentials locally. You need a UI and AES encryption. Tip: protect the master password. Benefit: see real‑world crypto use.
47. Blockchain Basics Demo
    Implement a simple blockchain. You need Python and hash functions. Tip: keep block size small. Benefit: learn how blocks link.
48. Quantum‑Safe Algorithms Explorer
    Test post‑quantum schemes like lattice‑based. You need PQCrypto libraries. Tip: compare performance to RSA. Benefit: future‑proof crypto knowledge.
49. OTP Generator and Validator
    Build time‑based one‑time passwords. You need HMAC and time libraries. Tip: sync clocks carefully. Benefit: understand two‑factor auth.
50. Elliptic Curve Visualizer
    Plot EC operations. You need math libraries and a simple GUI. Tip: pick a small curve first. Benefit: demystify modern crypto.
51. Homomorphic Encryption Demo
    Show basic operations on encrypted data. You need Pyfhel or similar library. Tip: start with addition only. Benefit: see privacy‑preserving computing.
52. Certificate Authority Simulator
    Issue and revoke certs in a mini‑PKI. You need OpenSSL commands and scripts. Tip: track serial numbers. Benefit: learn trust chains.
53. Hash-Based Message Authentication (HMAC)
    Build a tool to sign and verify messages. You need Python’s hashlib. Tip: compare with plain hashes. Benefit: ensure message integrity.
54. Secure File Sharing with PGP
    Integrate GPG for encryption/signing. You need GPG CLI and a front end. Tip: manage keyrings wisely. Benefit: secure email and files.
55. Crypto Wallet Mockup
    Simulate transaction signing. You need a UI and ECDSA library. Tip: separate keys from the interface. Benefit: learn digital signatures.
56. Random Number Quality Tester
    Analyze PRNG outputs for patterns. You need statistical libraries. Tip: test multiple algorithms. Benefit: importance of strong randomness.
57. Blockchain Smart Contract Audit
    Write a Solidity contract and test vulnerabilities. You need Remix IDE. Tip: test reentrancy first. Benefit: secure blockchain code.
58. Quantum Key Distribution Simulator
    Model BB84 protocol. You need Python and quantum simulation libs. Tip: start with photon polarization basics. Benefit: explore quantum security.
59. Secure Voting System Prototype
    Combine encryption and anonymity. You need a backend and crypto APIs. Tip: separate voter IDs from ballots. Benefit: see end‑to‑end security.
60. Digital Signature Explorer
    Compare RSA, DSA, ECDSA. You need demo scripts. Tip: measure key sizes vs speed. Benefit: pick the right signature scheme.

Ethical Hacking

61. Vulnerability Scanner
    Build a basic scanner for known CVEs. You need NVD feeds and Python. Tip: update your feed daily. Benefit: automate vulnerability checks.
62. Phishing Email Generator
    Craft controlled phishing templates for testing. You need HTML email skills. Tip: never send to real users. Benefit: train awareness safely.
63. Password Cracker GUI
    Wrap Hashcat or John the Ripper in a simple UI. You need those tools installed. Tip: include common wordlists. Benefit: learn password strength limits.
64. Wireless Evil Twin
    Set up a fake AP to capture credentials. You need hostapd and a wireless card. Tip: isolate on an offline network. Benefit: see real phishing tactics.
65. Bluetooth Penetration Tester
    Explore Bluetooth device flaws. You need a paired dongle and BLE tools. Tip: know device classes. Benefit: secure wireless peripherals.
66. Exploit Development Lab
    Create a vulnerable VM and write exploits for it. You need Metasploit or manual shellcode. Tip: snapshot often. Benefit: learn low‑level hacking.
67. Social Engineering Toolkit Integration
    Automate human‑target attacks in a safe environment. You need SET and a test group. Tip: always disclose after tests. Benefit: understand human risk.
68. Privilege Escalation Challenges
    Build VMs with local flaws to exploit. You need Linux and Windows test boxes. Tip: document each step. Benefit: master post‑exploit techniques.
69. Web Shell Deployment and Detection
    Upload a web shell and then detect it. You need a PHP or ASP test site. Tip: log all requests. Benefit: learn web post‑exploitation.
70. Custom Exploit Framework
    Write your own mini-framework for payload delivery. You need sockets and scripting. Tip: modularize your code. Benefit: deep understanding of exploits.
71. Physical Security Bypass Demo
    Show badge cloning or lock picking in a lab. You need dummy locks. Tip: focus on ethics. Benefit: bridge physical and cyber security.
72. API Fuzzing Tool
    Randomize inputs to find API bugs. You need Python and a list of parameters. Tip: start with length and type mutations. Benefit: automate bug discovery.
73. DNS Tunneling Proxy
    Tunnel data over DNS queries. You need a server and client script. Tip: encode data compactly. Benefit: understand covert channels.
74. Hardware Hacking with Raspberry Pi
    Use Pi as a USB HID attack device. You need a Pi Zero and scripts. Tip: keep firmware updated. Benefit: learn embedded security.
75. Automated Recon Pipeline
    Chain tools like Nmap, Gobuster, and WhoIS. You need Bash or Python glue scripts. Tip: parse logs for clarity. Benefit: speed up pentests.
76. Cipher Cracking Challenge Server
    Host simple cipher puzzles. You need a web server and challenges. Tip: include hints. Benefit: practice codebreaking.
77. Malicious PDF Generator
    Embed JS exploits into a PDF. You need Metasploit and PDF toolkit. Tip: isolate in a VM. Benefit: see document‑based attacks.
78. Browser Extension Attack Demo
    Show how malicious extensions steal data. You need a custom extension. Tip: limit permissions. Benefit: learn browser security.
79. SSL Downgrade Attack Lab
    Force a test server to use old TLS. You need a proxy and server config. Tip: test with modern browsers. Benefit: highlight protocol risks.
80. Ransomware Simulator
    Encrypt files locally and show recovery steps. You need AES or RSA scripts. Tip: include a ransom note generator. Benefit: understand lifecycle of an attack.

Digital Forensics

81. Disk Image Analyzer
    Parse and search for deleted files. You need Autopsy or custom Python scripts. Tip: mount images read‑only. Benefit: recover lost data.
82. Memory Forensics Tool
    Extract running processes from RAM dumps. You need Volatility Framework. Tip: label snapshots by time. Benefit: analyze live malware.
83. Log Correlation Dashboard
    Aggregate logs from multiple sources. You need ELK stack. Tip: normalize timestamps. Benefit: spot attack patterns.
84. USB Activity Tracker
    Detect and log USB insertions. You need Windows event parsing scripts. Tip: alert on new device IDs. Benefit: combat data theft.
85. Email Artifact Extractor
    Pull headers and attachments from PST files. You need Python with libpff. Tip: preserve metadata. Benefit: trace phishing origins.
86. Browser History Parser
    Show visited URLs and download history. You need SQLite tools. Tip: convert timestamps. Benefit: map user activity.
87. Mobile Forensics on Android
    Extract SMS and call logs from backups. You need ADB and Python. Tip: work on non‑rooted backups. Benefit: learn phone artifact recovery.
88. Steganalysis Demo
    Detect hidden data in images. You need statistical tests. Tip: compare to known stego tools. Benefit: spot covert messages.
89. Malware Timeline Builder
    Plot file changes over time. You need filesystem event logs. Tip: synchronize with antivirus logs. Benefit: reconstruct attack steps.
90. Network Forensics Recorder
    Continuously capture PCAP and index by IP. You need Zeek or custom scripts. Tip: rotate logs daily. Benefit: archive evidence.
91. Registry Change Monitor
    Watch Windows registry for key edits. You need PowerShell or Python. Tip: focus on Run keys. Benefit: detect persistence.
92. Browser Cache Examiner
    Recover files from cache folders. You need file carving scripts. Tip: sort by recency. Benefit: find downloaded evidence.
93. Audio File Tampering Detector
    Spot edits in voice recordings. You need waveform analyzers. Tip: look for silence gaps. Benefit: verify authenticity.
94. PDF Timeline Extractor
    Read PDF metadata history. You need PyPDF2. Tip: extract creation and modification dates. Benefit: timeline document edits.
95. Blockchain Forensics Prototype
    Track transactions across addresses. You need Web3 and graph database. Tip: cluster related wallets. Benefit: trace illicit funds.
96. Cloud Log Harvester
    Pull logs from AWS CloudTrail. You need AWS SDK. Tip: filter by IAM changes. Benefit: audit cloud actions.
97. SIM Card Data Extractor
    Read contacts and messages. You need SIM reader hardware. Tip: back up SIM first. Benefit: mobilize forensics skills.
98. USB Malware Analysis
    Detonate suspect USB in VM and log behavior. You need Cuckoo sandbox. Tip: disable host integration. Benefit: learn automated analysis.
99. Encrypted Volume Detector
    Identify TrueCrypt/VeraCrypt containers. You need signature checks. Tip: scan whole disk. Benefit: find hidden data.
100. Encrypted Messaging Forensics
     Extract metadata from Signal or WhatsApp backups. You need backup keys and scripts. Tip: sync app versions. Benefit: analyze secure chat evidence.

Cloud Security

101. IAM Policy Auditor
     Check AWS IAM for overly broad permissions. You need AWS SDK and policy JSONs. Tip: warn on “*” actions. Benefit: tighten access control.
102. Cloud Storage Encryption Checker
     Verify that S3 buckets use encryption. You need boto3 and bucket lists. Tip: test default encryption settings. Benefit: protect data at rest.
103. Serverless Function Scanner
     Find insecure code in AWS Lambda. You need AST parsing tools. Tip: focus on environment variables. Benefit: secure FaaS.
104. Cloud Firewall Rule Visualizer
     Map GCP or Azure NSGs. You need API access and graph libs. Tip: group by region. Benefit: simplify rule audits.
105. Container Security Benchmark
     Scan Docker images for vulnerabilities. You need Clair or Trivy. Tip: scan both base and app layers. Benefit: reduce container risks.
106. Kubernetes RBAC Auditor
     Analyze cluster roles and bindings. You need kubectl and scripts. Tip: flag cluster‑admin roles. Benefit: enforce least privilege.
107. Cloud Trail Anomaly Detector
     Alert on unusual API calls. You need Lambda function and SNS alerts. Tip: define normal baselines. Benefit: early breach detection.
108. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Linter
     Check Terraform/Azure ARM for insecure configs. You need a static analyzer. Tip: start with common mistakes. Benefit: shift security left.
109. Cloud Honeypot
     Deploy a fake EC2 instance to lure attackers. You need a cheap t2.micro and logging. Tip: isolate with strict IAM. Benefit: observe cloud‑targeted threats.
110. Automated Patch Manager
     Detect and patch outdated cloud VMs. You need SSH access and package managers. Tip: schedule during off‑hours. Benefit: close known holes.
111. Cloud Key Management Demo
     Use AWS KMS to encrypt data. You need KMS API and sample data. Tip: rotate keys regularly. Benefit: learn robust key handling.
112. DNSSEC Validator
     Check DNSSEC on hosted zones. You need DNS libraries. Tip: test delegation chains. Benefit: ensure DNS integrity.
113. Cloud WAF Rule Generator
     Create managed rules for Azure Front Door. You need threat lists. Tip: test in staging. Benefit: block web attacks early.
114. Cloud Compliance Dashboard
     Report on GDPR/HIPAA across services. You need compliance APIs. Tip: map controls to services. Benefit: simplify audits.
115. Cloud Disaster Recovery Plan Tester
     Automate failover drills. You need IaC templates and scripts. Tip: run quarterly. Benefit: ensure resilience.
116. Secure SSO Integration
     Connect on‑prem AD to cloud apps. You need SAML or OIDC setup. Tip: enforce MFA. Benefit: seamless and secure login.
117. Cloud Resource Tag Auditor
     Ensure all resources have environment tags. You need tagging policies. Tip: auto‑remediate missing tags. Benefit: improve resource governance.
118. Cloud Budget Alert System
     Flag unusual spending spikes. You need billing APIs. Tip: set multiple thresholds. Benefit: detect crypto‑mining misuse.
119. Microservices Vulnerability Scanner
     Scan service‑to‑service calls for weak TLS. You need a mesh or proxy. Tip: intercept and test. Benefit: secure internal comms.
120. Cloud Secrets Rotator
     Schedule automatic rotation for DB passwords. You need Lambda and Secrets Manager. Tip: test rotation fallbacks. Benefit: minimize secret exposure.

IoT Security

121. Smart Light Vulnerability Demo
     Show default‑password risks. You need a smart bulb and Python client. Tip: change default creds. Benefit: highlight IoT hygiene.
122. Zigbee Sniffer
     Capture and decode Zigbee messages. You need a USB sniffer and KillerBee. Tip: pick quiet channels. Benefit: learn mesh protocol flaws.
123. MQTT Broker Hardening
     Set up a secure MQTT broker. You need Mosquitto and TLS certs. Tip: enforce client cert auth. Benefit: secure IoT messaging.
124. Firmware Integrity Checker
     Compare firmware hashes before/after update. You need Raspberry Pi and hash scripts. Tip: store golden hashes offline. Benefit: detect tampering.
125. IoT Botnet Simulator
     Emulate Mirai‑style attacks in lab. You need lightweight Linux boards. Tip: isolate network. Benefit: study propagation.
126. Bluetooth LE Sniffer
     Monitor BLE beacons. You need Ubertooth or similar. Tip: filter by device MAC. Benefit: discover broadcasting data.
127. Home Router Security Audit
     Test common router configs. You need a home router and scripts. Tip: change default admin URLs. Benefit: secure your network edge.
128. Smart Camera Privacy Tester
     Attempt to access RTSP feeds. You need VLC and Python RTSP. Tip: test default creds. Benefit: ensure device privacy.
129. IoT Protocol Fuzzer
     Randomize CoAP or Zigbee frames. You need Scapy and IoT libs. Tip: watch for device crashes. Benefit: find firmware bugs.
130. Edge Device Honeypot
     Pretend to be a vulnerable sensor. You need a small dev board. Tip: log all interactions. Benefit: attract real attackers.
131. Secure OTA Updates
     Implement signed firmware updates. You need signing keys and bootloader code. Tip: verify signature on boot. Benefit: trusted upgrades.
132. IoT Network Segmentation
     Build VLANs for IoT devices. You need managed switch or virtual network. Tip: isolate critical devices. Benefit: contain breaches.
133. CAN Bus Sniffer
     Capture automotive CAN traffic. You need a CAN interface. Tip: respect safety. Benefit: learn vehicle network security.
134. Smart Meter Data Encryptor
     Encrypt readings before upload. You need microcontroller and crypto library. Tip: use light weights. Benefit: protect user data.
135. BLE Spoofing Attack Demo
     Clone a BLE device’s identity. You need scripts and a dongle. Tip: understand address randomization. Benefit: improve pairing security.
136. IoT Certificate Provisioning
     Automate device cert enrollment. You need a CA and provisioning scripts. Tip: use CSR templates. Benefit: scale secure deployments.
137. Industrial Protocol Tester
     Test Modbus/TCP for weak auth. You need a simulator and Python. Tip: start with read-only commands. Benefit: secure OT networks.
138. Smart Lock Bypass Lab
     Demonstrate relay or RFID attacks. You need a lock emulator. Tip: keep it offline. Benefit: know physical access risks.
139. Edge AI Model Privacy
     Show data leaks from on‑device ML. You need a small CNN and test images. Tip: examine model gradients. Benefit: secure AI at the edge.
140. IoT DDoS Detector
     Alert when too many connections hit a device. You need a collector and rules. Tip: tune thresholds. Benefit: protect small devices.

Mobile Security

141. Android Static Analyzer
     Scan APKs for insecure permissions. You need jadx or apktool. Tip: compare manifest vs code. Benefit: spot risky apps.
142. iOS App Vulnerability Scanner
     Analyze IPA files for secrets. You need class-dump and strings. Tip: look for hard‑coded keys. Benefit: secure mobile code.
143. Mobile Malware Sandbox
     Run apps in an instrumented emulator. You need Genymotion and Frida. Tip: disable network for safety. Benefit: study malicious behavior.
144. Secure Mobile Chat App
     Build an encrypted messenger. You need React Native and crypto libs. Tip: implement forward secrecy. Benefit: learn cross‑platform security.
145. App Transport Security Tester
     Check HTTP fallback on iOS/Android apps. You need network proxy. Tip: intercept TLS connections. Benefit: enforce secure channels.
146. Mobile OTP Intercept Demo
     Show SMS‑based OTP risks. You need test app and SMS emulator. Tip: discuss push‑based alternatives. Benefit: improve MFA choices.
147. Certificate Pinning Bypass Lab
     Demonstrate how to disable pinning. You need Frida or Xposed. Tip: discuss proper pin revocation. Benefit: secure app‑server trust.
148. Secure Payment SDK Integration
     Prototype a payment flow with tokenization. You need Stripe or similar sandbox. Tip: don’t log card data. Benefit: PCI DSS awareness.
149. Mobile Keylogger Detector
     Detect key‑logging malware on Android. You need API hooks. Tip: monitor suspicious apps. Benefit: protect user input.
150. Bluetooth Pairing Security Demo
     Test Just Works vs Passkey. You need two devices. Tip: record pairing data. Benefit: choose safer methods.
151. Biometric Auth Bypass
     Show limits of fingerprint or face unlock. You need fake prints or masks. Tip: stress user privacy. Benefit: improve fallback methods.
152. Secure File Storage on Mobile
     Encrypt files in local storage. You need platform crypto APIs. Tip: use OS keystore. Benefit: protect user data.
153. On‑device Malware Scanner
     Build a simple virus scanner for Android. You need signature DB and scanning code. Tip: optimize for battery. Benefit: onboard threat detection.
154. Mobile App Pentest Toolkit
     Bundle Frida scripts and Burp for quick tests. You need a rooted/jailbroken device. Tip: organize by category. Benefit: speed up assessments.
155. Secure Push Notification
     Encrypt payloads end‑to‑end. You need Firebase and encryption code. Tip: manage keys carefully. Benefit: protect notification content.
156. Clipboard Monitor Demo
     Show how apps can read clipboard. You need background service. Tip: discuss OS mitigations. Benefit: guard sensitive copy‑pastes.
157. Mobile VPN App
     Create a simple VPN client on Android. You need VpnService API. Tip: handle reconnections. Benefit: secure mobile browsing.
158. Mobile Certificate Store Viewer
     List and validate installed certs. You need platform APIs. Tip: warn about user‑installed roots. Benefit: detect rogue CAs.
159. App Reverse‑Engineering Report
     Pick an open‑source app and audit it. You need decompilers and note templates. Tip: focus on one feature. Benefit: practice code review.
160. Secure Mobile IoT Bridge
     Connect a phone to an IoT device securely. You need BLE APIs and encryption. Tip: authenticate both ends. Benefit: end‑to‑end mobile security.

Malware Analysis

161. Static Malware Analyzer
     Extract strings, imports, and sections from executables. You need pefile library. Tip: compare with benign files. Benefit: spot malicious traits.
162. Dynamic Malware Sandbox
     Run suspect binaries in VM and capture system calls. You need Cuckoo or Procmon. Tip: snapshot before run. Benefit: observe runtime behavior.
163. YARA Rule Creator
     Write and test custom rules. You need YARA and sample malware. Tip: focus on unique patterns. Benefit: automate detection.
164. Malware Classification with ML
     Train a model to label malware families. You need feature extraction and scikit‑learn. Tip: balance your dataset. Benefit: apply data science to security.
165. Ransomware Behavior Modeler
     Map file system changes of ransomware. You need fswatch and logs. Tip: look for file encryption calls. Benefit: understand attack progression.
166. Packed Binary Unpacker
     Detect and unpack UPX or custom packers. You need unpack tools and scripts. Tip: identify packer signatures first. Benefit: reveal hidden code.
167. Botnet C&C Traffic Analyzer
     Analyze sample network captures. You need Bro/Zeek scripts. Tip: isolate pcap files. Benefit: profile command channels.
168. Memory Dump String Extractor
     Pull readable strings from RAM dumps. You need volatility or strings. Tip: filter by process. Benefit: find hidden URLs or commands.
169. Email Malware Phishing Simulator
     Send benign test emails with payloads to lab inbox. You need SMTP setup. Tip: flag clicks and attachments. Benefit: test email defenses.
170. Polymorphic Malware Detector
     Identify code that mutates itself. You need opcode frequency analysis. Tip: use sliding windows. Benefit: detect evasive threats.
171. Malware Family Visualization
     Graph relationships between samples. You need GEF and graph tool. Tip: cluster by similarity. Benefit: map threat evolution.
172. Macro Virus Analysis
     Dissect malicious Office macros. You need VBA parser. Tip: sandbox macros in safe mode. Benefit: secure documents.
173. API Hooking Demonstrator
     Show how malware hooks Windows APIs. You need DLL injection code. Tip: log before/after calls. Benefit: learn hooking technique.
174. Obfuscation Technique Explorer
     Apply and reverse common code obfuscations. You need .NET or Java apps. Tip: record each transform. Benefit: improve deobfuscation skills.
175. Drive‑by Download Analyzer
     Host a page that triggers downloads and inspect them. You need a web server and VM. Tip: isolate network. Benefit: study web‑based infections.
176. Malware Persistence Finder
     Search for registry/run keys. You need Windows registry API. Tip: compare before/after. Benefit: detect automatic startup.
177. Encrypted Configuration Extractor
     Pull and decrypt botnet config files. You need custom scripts. Tip: find the decryption routine in code. Benefit: reveal C&C details.
178. Cross‑Platform Malware Lab
     Test same sample on Windows, Linux, Android. You need three VMs. Tip: watch for different behaviors. Benefit: see platform‑specific code.
179. Stealth Keylogger Analyzer
     Detect user‑mode vs kernel‑mode loggers. You need Procmon and driver tools. Tip: test hiding techniques. Benefit: defend keystroke capture.
180. Memory‑Only Malware Demo
     Load code only in RAM without touching disk. You need reflective DLL injection. Tip: monitor with live response tools. Benefit: study advanced stealth.

Cybersecurity Tools Development

181. Custom Port Knocking Daemon
     Build a stealth port opener. You need C or Python and raw sockets. Tip: use hashed knock sequences. Benefit: protect services behind firewalls.
182. Encrypted Chatbot
     Create a chatbot that communicates over TLS. You need Python (ssl) and NLP basics. Tip: verify certificates. Benefit: combine AI with security.
183. Secure File Sync
     Sync folders over the internet with encryption. You need rsync and OpenSSL. Tip: authenticate peers. Benefit: safe backups.
184. Multi‑Factor Auth Server
     Build your own MFA system. You need time‑based tokens and backup codes. Tip: encrypt user secrets. Benefit: enforce strong login.
185. API Attack Simulator
     Automate typical API abuse patterns. You need Python requests and scenario scripts. Tip: include slowloris and injection tests. Benefit: test API resilience.
186. Log Sanitizer
     Remove PII from logs before sharing. You need regex patterns. Tip: keep raw archives secure. Benefit: comply with privacy rules.
187. Threat Intelligence Dashboard
     Aggregate feeds and visualize. You need Python, REST APIs, and a web UI. Tip: normalize data formats. Benefit: centralize threat data.
188. Automated Backup Verifier
     Check integrity of backups daily. You need hash checks and alerts. Tip: test restores occasionally. Benefit: trust your recovery plan.
189. Phishing URL Analyzer
     Score links for risk. You need URL reputation APIs. Tip: cache results. Benefit: filter malicious links.
190. Secure Clipboard Manager
     Encrypt clipboard data automatically. You need OS hooks and crypto. Tip: clear after use. Benefit: protect copied secrets.
191. Behavioral Anomaly Detector
     Learn normal user patterns and alert deviations. You need ML models and logs. Tip: retrain regularly. Benefit: spot insider threats.
192. Custom Vulnerability Database
     Store and search CVE data locally. You need SQLite and update scripts. Tip: automate imports. Benefit: quick reference offline.
193. Phishing Awareness Quiz
     Generate random phishing samples for training. You need a question bank. Tip: give immediate feedback. Benefit: improve user vigilance.
194. Secure Markdown Wiki
     Host encrypted notes in a wiki. You need a static site generator and JS crypto. Tip: derive keys from passphrase. Benefit: private documentation.
195. TLS Scan API
     Offer an endpoint to check TLS config of any host. You need OpenSSL and Flask. Tip: cache scan results. Benefit: provide public TLS checks.
196. Encrypted Email Relay
     Forward messages while stripping headers. You need Postfix and a filter script. Tip: preserve spam checks. Benefit: anonymize communication.
197. IoC Sharing Platform
     Let users submit and retrieve indicators of compromise. You need a web backend and DB. Tip: validate inputs. Benefit: crowdsource threat data.
198. Mobile Pentest Reporter
     Generate structured pentest reports from JSON input. You need a template engine. Tip: include findings and remediations. Benefit: streamline reporting.
199. Automated Compliance Checker
     Test systems against CIS benchmarks. You need shell scripts and JSON rules. Tip: allow custom profiles. Benefit: simplify audits.
200. Security ChatOps Bot
     Integrate security alerts into Slack/Teams. You need a bot framework and webhooks. Tip: throttle notifications. Benefit: bring security to dev workflows.

Emerging Tech Security

201. Smart City Sensor Protection
     Build a gateway that filters data from city sensors for anomalies. You need MQTT libraries, Python, and a sensor testbed. Tip: start with temperature readings before tackling traffic data. Benefit: learn to secure large-scale IoT systems.
202. Drone Communication Encryptor
     Encrypt commands between a controller and a drone. You need a small drone, radio modules, and AES libraries. Tip: test latency impacts as you add encryption. Benefit: protect unmanned systems from hijacking.
203. 5G Network Sniffer
     Capture and analyze packets on a 5G test network. You need a 5G-capable SDR and packet analysis tools. Tip: focus on control-plane messages first. Benefit: understand next-gen mobile threats.
204. Edge Computing Access Control
     Prototype role-based access for edge nodes. You need Docker, a mini Kubernetes cluster, and Auth libraries. Tip: start with a single edge node. Benefit: secure distributed compute.
205. Smart Grid Intrusion Alert
     Simulate a power grid sensor array and detect false readings. You need SCADA simulators and Python alerts. Tip: trigger alerts on unexpected spikes. Benefit: improve critical infrastructure defense.
206. Augmented Reality Privacy Filter
     Block sensitive data from AR overlays. You need an AR headset SDK and image recognition. Tip: train your filter on faces and license plates first. Benefit: protect user privacy in AR.
207. Blockchain IoT Identity
     Use blockchain to register IoT devices securely. You need a private Ethereum network and smart contracts. Tip: limit on-chain data to hashes. Benefit: learn decentralized identity.
208. Quantum Network Simulator
     Model a quantum key distribution channel. You need QuTiP or similar library. Tip: verify photon loss scenarios. Benefit: prepare for quantum-safe communications.
209. Biometric Edge Authenticator
     Verify fingerprints on an edge device without cloud. You need a fingerprint sensor and C library. Tip: secure stored templates with encryption. Benefit: reduce cloud dependency.
210. Virtual Reality Threat Model
     Map potential VR app attacks in a game engine. You need Unity or Unreal and threat libraries. Tip: focus on input spoofing first. Benefit: secure immersive experiences.
211. IoMT Device Auditor
     Scan connected medical devices for open ports. You need hospital gear simulator and Nmap. Tip: whitelist known devices. Benefit: secure healthcare networks.
212. Autonomous Vehicle Log Monitor
     Analyze sensor logs for tampering. You need sample CAN logs and Python. Tip: flag GPS jumps. Benefit: detect self-driving data attacks.
213. Smart Home Voice Filter
     Block unauthorized voice commands to assistants. You need voice-recognition SDK and ML model. Tip: start with wake-word spoofing. Benefit: secure voice interfaces.
214. Wearable Data Anonymizer
     Remove PII from fitness tracker output. You need sample datasets and hashing tools. Tip: test re-identification risks. Benefit: protect personal health data.
215. AR Glasses Secure Boot
     Implement firmware signature checks. You need an AR dev kit and crypto keys. Tip: simulate malicious updates. Benefit: ensure device integrity.
216. Fog Computing IDS
     Build an intrusion detector at the network edge. You need Raspberry Pi cluster and Snort. Tip: tune rules for local traffic. Benefit: detect threats earlier.
217. Digital Twin Security Tester
     Simulate attacks on a digital twin of a factory. You need a twin platform and attack scripts. Tip: isolate twin from real ICS. Benefit: learn safe ICS testing.
218. LiDAR Spoofing Detector
     Detect fake obstacle signals on LiDAR. You need LiDAR data and anomaly model. Tip: collect normal scans first. Benefit: secure autonomous navigation.
219. Nanodevice Communication Guard
     Encrypt messages between nanosensors in a lab. You need custom hardware and lightweight crypto. Tip: optimize for power constraints. Benefit: explore future nano‑security.
220. Edge AI Poisoning Demo
     Show how bad data can corrupt on-device ML. You need a small CNN and example dataset. Tip: inject a few poisoned samples. Benefit: understand data‑integrity threats.

Data Privacy & Compliance

221. PII Redaction Service
     Automatically remove names and IDs from documents. You need NLP libraries and regex. Tip: update patterns as you find new formats. Benefit: comply with privacy laws.
222. GDPR Consent Tracker
     Log and manage user consent for data processing. You need a web app, database, and audit logs. Tip: timestamp every action. Benefit: demonstrate regulatory compliance.
223. Data Anonymization Toolkit
     Transform datasets to protect identities. You need Pandas and data‑masking techniques. Tip: balance utility vs privacy. Benefit: share data safely.
224. Privacy Impact Assessment Tool
     Automate risk scoring for new apps. You need a questionnaire engine and scoring model. Tip: keep questions concise. Benefit: streamline compliance reviews.
225. HIPAA Audit Logger
     Collect and store access logs for health records. You need a secure database and encryption. Tip: rotate logs regularly. Benefit: meet healthcare standards.
226. Cookie Consent Manager
     Implement user‑choice cookies on a website. You need JavaScript and backend flags. Tip: respect “reject all” by default. Benefit: build user trust.
227. Data Retention Automator
     Delete old records per policy. You need cron jobs and delete scripts. Tip: archive before deletion. Benefit: reduce legal exposure.
228. Anonymized Analytics Pipeline
     Process user events without PII. You need event streams and hashing. Tip: avoid storing raw IDs. Benefit: still get insights without risk.
229. Secure Data Sharing API
     Share data only with authorized apps. You need OAuth2 and scopes. Tip: enforce least privilege. Benefit: safe inter‑service data flows.
230. Privacy Policy Generator
     Create draft policies based on site features. You need a questionnaire and template engine. Tip: include jurisdiction options. Benefit: speed up legal prep.
231. Data Breach Simulator
     Fake a breach and test response. You need sample databases and scripts. Tip: notify a test group. Benefit: practice incident response.
232. User Data Portal
     Let users download or delete their data. You need authentication and export tools. Tip: rate‑limit exports. Benefit: satisfy “right to access” laws.
233. DPIA Workflow Manager
     Track privacy assessments for new projects. You need task management UI. Tip: send reminders. Benefit: keep teams on track.
234. Secure Backup Vault
     Encrypt and store backups off‑site. You need cloud storage and encryption. Tip: test recovery. Benefit: protect against data loss and leaks.
235. Third‑Party Risk Dashboard
     Score external vendors on security. You need survey data and scoring rules. Tip: update scores quarterly. Benefit: manage supply‑chain risk.
236. Privacy by Design Checker
     Analyze code for data‑leak patterns. You need static analysis and rule sets. Tip: integrate with CI/CD. Benefit: catch issues early.
237. Consent Expiry Notifier
     Alert when user consent is about to lapse. You need scheduler and email service. Tip: give clear renewal links. Benefit: maintain lawful processing.
238. Data Encryption Audit
     Verify that all DB columns marked sensitive are encrypted. You need schema introspection and crypto checks. Tip: fail loud on unencrypted fields. Benefit: enforce data protection.
239. Policy Violation Detector
     Scan documents for forbidden terms. You need keyword lists and NLP. Tip: tune for false positives. Benefit: catch risky disclosures.
240. Privacy Training Quiz
     Generate short quizzes on data rules. You need a question bank and UI. Tip: randomize questions. Benefit: raise team awareness.

AI & Machine Learning Security

241. Adversarial Image Attack Demo
     Show how small noise fools a classifier. You need a trained CNN and FGSM code. Tip: visualize the perturbations. Benefit: learn model robustness limits.
242. Model Extraction Detector
     Detect when someone clones your ML API. You need query pattern analysis. Tip: throttle unusual access patterns. Benefit: protect intellectual property.
243. Secure Federated Learning
     Prototype encrypted gradient sharing. You need TensorFlow Federated and homomorphic crypto. Tip: start with two clients. Benefit: train without central data.
244. Poisoning-resistant Training
     Implement defenses against bad data. You need robust loss functions. Tip: inject a few poisoned points. Benefit: improve real‑world model safety.
245. Explainability Privacy Leak
     Show how explanations can reveal training data. You need SHAP or LIME. Tip: test on private features. Benefit: balance transparency vs privacy.
246. AI-based Phishing Detector
     Train a classifier on email features. You need scikit‑learn and a phishing dataset. Tip: validate on unseen templates. Benefit: automate email defense.
247. Model Watermarking
     Embed secret patterns in your net. You need a custom training loop. Tip: check detectability rates. Benefit: prove ownership.
248. Secure NLP Pipeline
     Sanitize text inputs against prompt injection. You need regex filters and token checks. Tip: test with malicious payloads. Benefit: harden chatbots.
249. Image Privacy Filter
     Automatically blur faces in photos. You need OpenCV and a face detector. Tip: fine‑tune for side profiles. Benefit: protect identities in images.
250. ML Model Fuzzing
     Randomize inputs to find crashes or exploits. You need a fuzzing framework. Tip: start with structure-preserving mutations. Benefit: find edge-case failures.
251. Biometric Spoofing Detector
     Train a model to flag fake fingerprints or faces. You need a dataset of real vs fake samples. Tip: include diverse spoofs. Benefit: harden biometric systems.
252. Secure Chatbot Framework
     Add fallback rules to prevent malicious prompts. You need a rule engine and logging. Tip: monitor user queries. Benefit: safer AI assistants.
253. AI Service Rate Limiter
     Prevent model abuse via API. You need Redis and middleware. Tip: define per-user quotas. Benefit: block denial‑of‑service on AI services.
254. Anomaly Detection in Logs
     Use autoencoders to spot odd events. You need Keras and sample logs. Tip: normalize features first. Benefit: detect zero‑day attacks.
255. Privacy-preserving Recommendation
     Build a recommender with differential privacy. You need DP libraries and movie ratings. Tip: set ε carefully. Benefit: respect user anonymity.
256. ML Model Integrity Checker
     Verify that model files haven’t been tampered. You need hash checks and signature. Tip: automate on startup. Benefit: trust your deployed models.
257. AI Bias Auditor
     Check model outputs for demographic bias. You need test datasets and metrics. Tip: stratify by groups. Benefit: build fair systems.
258. Secure Voice Assistant
     Isolate skill execution to prevent data leaks. You need containerization for skills. Tip: sandbox resource access. Benefit: protect user voice data.
259. Encrypted Feature Store
     Store ML features encrypted at rest. You need a feature store and KMS. Tip: decrypt only in memory. Benefit: secure data pipelines.
260. Model Drift Monitor
     Alert when data distribution shifts. You need statistical tests in your pipeline. Tip: set thresholds for alerts. Benefit: maintain model accuracy and security.

DevSecOps & Automation

261. CI/CD Security Gate
     Add security checks to your pipeline. You need Jenkins/GitHub Actions and scanning tools. Tip: fail builds on high‑severity issues. Benefit: shift left security.
262. Infrastructure Drift Detector
     Compare live infra to IaC configs. You need Terraform and a drift API. Tip: run daily. Benefit: avoid config drift vulnerabilities.
263. Automated Secret Scanner
     Scan repos for hard‑coded keys. You need Git hooks and regex patterns. Tip: block commits on matches. Benefit: prevent leaks early.
264. Container Image Signer
     Sign and verify Docker images before deploy. You need Notary and CI integration. Tip: enforce policy in registry. Benefit: trust your containers.
265. Policy-as-Code Linter
     Write OPA rules and test IaC. You need Rego and Terraform. Tip: start with simple deny rules. Benefit: codify security policies.
266. Runtime Application Self‑Protection (RASP) Demo
     Inject monitors into a test app. You need a RASP library and sample code. Tip: log and block attacks internally. Benefit: real-time defense.
267. Auto‑remediation Bot
     Fix low‑risk security alerts automatically. You need a bot framework and API access. Tip: limit to safe actions. Benefit: reduce manual toil.
268. Vulnerability Ticket Generator
     Convert scan results to JIRA tickets. You need scanner API and JIRA integration. Tip: map severities to priorities. Benefit: streamline triage.
269. Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
     Build a dashboard of cloud misconfigurations. You need AWS/GCP APIs and UI. Tip: highlight critical issues first. Benefit: maintain secure cloud posture.
270. Secrets Rotation Pipeline
     Automatically rotate DB passwords monthly. You need Secrets Manager and CI. Tip: update applications after rotation. Benefit: minimize long‑lived secrets.
271. Container Sandbox Vault
     Run untrusted code in a secure sandbox. You need gVisor or Firecracker. Tip: isolate network and filesystem. Benefit: test code safely.
272. Compliance-as-Code Reporter
     Translate CIS benchmarks into reports. You need benchmark JSON and a report engine. Tip: include pass/fail details. Benefit: automate audits.
273. Security Chatbot Assistant
     Answer developer security questions via Slack. You need a bot and FAQ corpus. Tip: log unanswered questions for FAQs. Benefit: embed security in workflow.
274. Dynamic Secret Injection
     Inject secrets into containers at runtime. You need Vault and sidecar pattern. Tip: revoke on pod deletion. Benefit: avoid baked‑in credentials.
275. Infrastructure Cost Leak Detector
     Alert on public buckets or expensive compute. You need billing API and resource scanner. Tip: map costs to teams. Benefit: catch runaway spend and leaks.
276. License Compliance Checker
     Scan code for license violations. You need SPDX tools. Tip: flag mixed‑license components. Benefit: reduce legal risk.
277. Security Incident Playbook Runner
     Automate runbooks for common incidents. You need a playbook engine. Tip: version control your playbooks. Benefit: speed up response.
278. AI-powered Log Triage
     Use ML to prioritize logs. You need labeled data and a model server. Tip: retrain monthly. Benefit: focus on true positives.
279. DevSecOps Maturity Dashboard
     Visualize your security pipeline metrics. You need Grafana and data sources. Tip: track over time. Benefit: measure progress.
280. Secure Feature Flags
     Manage feature rollout securely. You need a flag service and ACLs. Tip: restrict who can enable flags. Benefit: safe testing of new features.

Red Team vs. Blue Team Exercises

281. Attack‑Defense Virtual Lab
     Set up two VMs, one attacker and one defender. You need virtual network and snapshot tools. Tip: record each step. Benefit: practice both perspectives.
282. Phishing Drill Platform
     Send simulated phishing to volunteers. You need email server and tracking. Tip: educate after each click. Benefit: improve user awareness.
283. Log Injection Attack
     Demonstrate how malicious input spoofs logs. You need a sample app and logger. Tip: sanitize log entries. Benefit: detect and prevent log tampering.
284. Blue Team SIEM Use Case
     Ingest logs and create detection rules. You need a free SIEM like Wazuh. Tip: start with brute‑force alerts. Benefit: build detection skills.
285. Capture-the-Flag (CTF) Challenge
     Design small challenges for teammates. You need Docker and flag templates. Tip: vary difficulty. Benefit: hands‑on skill building.
286. Ransomware Response Drill
     Simulate encryption and restore from backups. You need test files and backup scripts. Tip: measure restore time. Benefit: refine your DR plan.
287. Red Team Recon Automation
     Chain OSINT tools to profile a target. You need Python and APIs (Shodan, Hunter). Tip: respect scope rules. Benefit: speed up recon.
288. Blue Team File Integrity Monitor
     Detect unauthorized file changes. You need Tripwire or custom scripts. Tip: baseline known good. Benefit: spot tampering quickly.
289. Insider Threat Simulation
     Model a disgruntled employee leaking files. You need controlled data exfil tests. Tip: log all actions. Benefit: improve insider detection.
290. Wireless Pen Test vs. Defense
     Attack a Wi‑Fi network, then configure protections. You need aircrack-ng suite. Tip: test WPA3 if available. Benefit: full offensive/defensive cycle.
291. Webshell Hunt Exercise
     Deploy a benign webshell and search for it via logs. You need a test server and logs. Tip: use unique filenames. Benefit: learn detection methods.
292. Password Spraying Attack
     Perform a safe spray on a test domain. You need a list of users and tools. Tip: throttle attempts. Benefit: simulate common brute‑force.
293. MFA Bypass Demo
     Show weaknesses in OTP via phishing pages. You need a test auth app. Tip: never test on real accounts. Benefit: understand multi‑factor limits.
294. Threat Hunting Scenario
     Define a scenario and hunt in logs. You need sample logs and hypotheses. Tip: document your hunt steps. Benefit: sharpen investigation skills.
295. Defensive Network Segmentation
     Segment a flat network and test lateral move. You need VLAN setup. Tip: restrict critical segments. Benefit: contain breaches.
296. Adversary Emulation Plan
     Map TTPs from a known group and execute. You need MITRE ATT&CK framework. Tip: keep operations safe. Benefit: realistic red‑teaming.
297. Malvertising Simulation
     Host a fake ad that redirects to a payload. You need web server and JS. Tip: isolate in a lab. Benefit: study drive‑by threats.
298. Blue Team Honeynet
     Deploy a network of honeypots and aggregate alerts. You need several low‑interaction honeypots. Tip: centralize logs. Benefit: observe attacker tools.
299. Active Directory Attack/Defense
     Exploit a weak AD setup, then harden it. You need a Windows domain lab. Tip: use GPOs for fixes. Benefit: learn enterprise security.
300. Phishing Response SOP Draft
     Write a standard operating procedure for phishing incidents. You need organizational info and templates. Tip: include timelines. Benefit: speed consistent responses.

How to Choose a Better Project

• Define clear goals: What do you want to learn—network security, penetration testing, or secure coding?
• Break it down: Divide the project into phases (research, setup, testing, reporting).
• Seek feedback: Share your progress with mentors or online forums.
• Include real data: Use sample applications or vulnerable VMs like DVWA or Metasploitable.
• Plan for expansion: Choose a project you can extend with new features or tests later.

Benefits of Doing Cyber Security Projects

• Hands‑on experience: You’ll learn tools and workflows used by professionals.
• Problem‑solving skills: Projects teach you to think like an attacker and defender.
• Career readiness: Real projects impress hiring managers and boost your resume.
• Community involvement: Contributing to open‑source tools or write‑ups raises your profile.
• Confidence: Successfully securing or hacking a lab system builds self‑assurance.

Example Project: Password Strength Checker

Overview: Build a tool that analyzes password strength and suggests improvements.

Key features:

• Checks length (minimum 8 characters)
• Detects use of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters
• Scans against a list of common passwords (e.g., “123456”, “password”)
• Provides a strength score (weak, moderate, strong)
• Offers personalized suggestions (e.g., “Add special characters”)

What you’ll learn:

• String handling and regex in Python
• Reading and searching large wordlists
• Simple GUI or command‑line interfaces
• Reporting and logging best practices

Must Read: Innovative 238+ Startup Company Project Ideas 2025-26

Conclusion

Diving into cyber security projects is one of the best ways to turn theory into practice. By setting up your own lab, choosing projects that match your interests and skill level, and documenting every step, you’ll build both confidence and competence.

Whether you start with a simple port scanner or tackle an advanced SIEM prototype, each project sharpens your problem‑solving skills and strengthens your résumé.

Remember to:

• Plan carefully: Define your goals, break tasks into phases, and set a realistic timeline.
• Stay ethical: Always use safe, permission‑based environments—never test on live or unauthorized systems.
• Keep learning: Cyber security evolves fast; read blogs, join forums, and experiment with new tools.
• Share your work: Publish write‑ups, contribute to open‑source, or present at meetups to grow your network.

Embrace these projects as stepping stones to deeper expertise—each one brings you closer to becoming a confident, capable cyber security professional. Good luck, and happy hacking (and securing)!