Digital Shield Academy

An innovative, gamified web-based learning platform focused on practical cybersecurity skills for both individuals and businesses. The platform's core principle is 'learning by doing' through interactive simulations, moving beyond traditional passive training methods.

🛡️ Core Vision & Mission

• Empower citizens with practical, instinctive skills to identify and react to digital threats
• Create 'digital muscle memory' through immersive, real-world scenario simulations
• Offer a scalable solution for both individual users and corporate employee training, with measurable improvement in threat detection

✨ Key Features

🎮 Gamification Elements

• Points System: Awarded for correct actions, deducted for errors
• Badges: Unlockable achievements for module completion and skill mastery
• Progress Tracking: Visual indicators within modules and on user dashboards
• Leaderboards: For friendly competition (optional for individuals, key for businesses)
• Level System: XP-based progression with visual feedback

🎯 Interactive Simulations

• The Phishing Drill: Simulated email inbox with mix of legitimate and malicious emails
• The MFA Gauntlet: Step-by-step guided simulation for setting up Multi-Factor Authentication
• The Scammer's Playbook: Interactive scenarios for vishing, smishing, pharming, and brand impersonation
• Account Takeover: Interactive timeline showing the impact of password reuse

🏆 Threat of the Week

• Regularly updated mini-simulations based on current, real-world cyber threats
• Dynamic content with real-world examples and prevention tips
• Leaderboard for weekly challenges
• Special badges and bonus points

🏢 Business Features

• Team Management: Role-based access control and member tracking
• Analytics Dashboard: Comprehensive reporting and progress tracking
• Custom Learning Paths: Tailored content for different industries
• Compliance Tracking: Detailed reporting for regulatory requirements
• Bulk User Management: Easy onboarding and administration

🏗️ Architecture

Backend (Node.js + Express + MongoDB)

• Models: User, Business, Simulation, ThreatOfTheWeek, BlogPost
• Authentication: JWT-based with role-based access control
• API Routes:
  • /api/auth - Authentication and user management
  • /api/modules - Learning module content
  • /api/progress - User progress and gamification
  • /api/simulations - Interactive simulation engine
  • /api/threat-of-week - Weekly challenge system
  • /api/business - Business account management
  • /api/blog - Content management system

Frontend (React + Material-UI)

• Pages: Home, Modules, For Individuals, For Business, Academy Difference, Blog, Contact
• Components: Enhanced Dashboard, Badge System, Progress Tracker, Threat of the Week
• Responsive Design: Mobile-first approach with adaptive layouts
• Dark Theme: Modern, professional appearance

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v16 or higher)
• MongoDB (v4.4 or higher)
• npm or yarn

Installation

1. Clone the repository

   git clone <repository-url>
   cd digital-shield-academy

2. Install backend dependencies

   cd backend
   npm install

3. Install frontend dependencies

   cd ../frontend
   npm install

4. Environment Setup Create a .env file in the backend directory:

   MONGODB_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017/digital-shield-academy
   JWT_SECRET=your-super-secret-jwt-key
   PORT=5000

5. Start the development servers

   Backend (Terminal 1):

   cd backend
   npm run dev

   Frontend (Terminal 2):

   cd frontend
   npm run dev

6. Access the application

   • Frontend: http://localhost:5173
   • Backend API: http://localhost:5000

📊 Database Schema

User Model

• Authentication and profile information
• Comprehensive progress tracking
• Gamification data (points, badges, achievements)
• Business account association
• Learning preferences and settings

Business Model

• Organization information and settings
• Member management and roles
• Analytics and reporting data
• Subscription and billing information

Simulation Model

• Interactive content for all modules
• Difficulty levels and scoring
• Real-world scenario data
• Feedback and explanations

ThreatOfTheWeek Model

• Weekly challenge content
• Real-world examples and impact data
• Participant tracking and scoring
• Prevention tips and best practices

🎯 Learning Modules

1. Phishing Spotter

• Objective: Learn to identify and avoid phishing emails
• Content: Interactive email simulations with real-world examples
• Skills: Email analysis, link inspection, sender verification
• Duration: 15 minutes

2. MFA Setup Guide

• Objective: Master Multi-Factor Authentication setup
• Content: Step-by-step guided simulations for various platforms
• Skills: MFA configuration, QR code scanning, backup codes
• Duration: 20 minutes

3. Scam Recognizer

• Objective: Identify common phone and SMS scams
• Content: Interactive scenarios for vishing, smishing, and social engineering
• Skills: Caller verification, message analysis, response strategies
• Duration: 15 minutes

🏆 Gamification System

Points & Levels

• Base Points: 10 points per correct action
• Speed Bonus: 50% bonus for quick responses
• Accuracy Bonus: Based on overall performance
• Level System: 1000 XP per level with visual progress bars

Badges & Achievements

• Module Badges: Mastery badges for each learning module
• Achievement Badges: Milestone-based accomplishments
• Special Badges: Threat of the Week and perfect score badges
• Rarity System: Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary classifications

Progress Tracking

• Module Progress: Detailed tracking for each learning module
• Statistics: Comprehensive learning analytics
• Streaks: Login and learning streak tracking
• Leaderboards: Global and business-specific rankings

🏢 Business Features

Team Management

• Admin Dashboard: Comprehensive team oversight
• Member Roles: Admin and member permissions
• Bulk Operations: Easy user management
• Invitation System: Streamlined onboarding

Analytics & Reporting

• Team Performance: Aggregate learning metrics
• Individual Progress: Detailed member tracking
• Compliance Reports: Regulatory requirement documentation
• ROI Tracking: Training effectiveness measurement

Customization

• Learning Paths: Tailored content for different roles
• Settings: Configurable platform behavior
• Branding: Custom organization appearance
• Integrations: API access for enterprise systems

🔒 Security Features

• JWT Authentication: Secure token-based authentication
• Password Hashing: bcrypt with salt rounds
• Role-Based Access: Granular permission system
• Data Encryption: Sensitive data protection
• Rate Limiting: API abuse prevention

📱 Responsive Design

• Mobile-First: Optimized for all device sizes
• Progressive Web App: Offline capability and app-like experience
• Accessibility: WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
• Cross-Browser: Support for all modern browsers

🚀 Deployment

Production Setup

1. Environment Variables: Configure production database and secrets
2. Build Frontend: npm run build in frontend directory
3. Database: Set up MongoDB Atlas or self-hosted instance
4. Server: Deploy to Heroku, AWS, or preferred platform
5. Domain: Configure custom domain and SSL certificates

Docker Support

# Build and run with Docker Compose
docker-compose up --build

🤝 Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Material-UI for the component library
• React for the frontend framework
• Express.js for the backend framework
• MongoDB for the database
• All contributors and testers

📞 Support

For support, email support@digitalshieldacademy.com or join our community Discord server.

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Digital Shield Academy - Building a safer digital world, one learner at a time. 🛡️