Cost estimate secure the shelter build-a-thon
A detailed cost guesstimate for running the Secure the shelter build-a-thon—a hands-on, full-day workshop where shelter staff set up their own working digital safety lab (Wazuh + Pirogue), with help from facilitators.
Summary tables
Option A: In-shelter lab build-a-thon (local, private setup)
| Item | Details | Estimated Cost (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Facilitators (2–3 people) | Digital security & trauma-aware facilitation | 800–1,200 |
| IPA-SIEM stack setup | Includes server hardware, setup labour, networking | 590–1,865 |
| PiRogue device(s) (optional) | Raspberry Pi-based network monitor | 200–400 |
| USB drives / storage | Setup keys, backup, export | 60 |
| Printed materials & signage | Setup guides, stickers, signage | 80 |
| Catering | Lunch, snacks, drinks | 200–300 |
| Travel + transport | For facilitators & equipment | 100–200 |
| Decor / fun | Lighting, bunting, badges | 50 |
| Contingency | Just in case | 100 |
| TOTAL (approx) | €2,180 – 4,155 |
Estimated costs in-shelter solution included.
PiRogue is optional but useful in both cases for scanning phones privately without needing internet access.
Option B: Cloud-based lab build-a-thon
Includes secure remote logging, mobile support, and ongoing monitoring.
| Item | Details | Estimated Cost (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Facilitators (2–3 people) | Same as local model | 800–1,200 |
| Cloud server & setup | Hardening, VPN, install, tuning | 1,220–1,720 |
| Device agent setup | Android/iOS log tooling, desktop agents | 1,000–1,200 |
| PiRogue device(s) (optional) | As in local build | 200–400 |
| Secure backup automation | Including setup scripts | 144–264 |
| Ongoing admin/maintenance (1yr) | Estimated time cost | 2,880–4,320 |
| Printed materials & signage | Setup guides, stickers, signage | 80 |
| Catering | Lunch, snacks, drinks | 200–300 |
| Travel + transport | For facilitators & equipment | 100–200 |
| Decor / fun | Lighting, bunting, badges | 50 |
| Contingency | Always sensible | 100 |
| TOTAL (approx) | €6,774 – 9,034 |
Estimated costs cloud solution included.
This build-a-thon-in-a-day works only if you employ or hire cloud-skilled staff, which brings more cost. We do our best to prepare this solution in a repo, but cloud requires sufficient staff for participating in setting it up and maintaining it later. And if you are a shelter wanting full privacy, no internet reliance, and better physical control over the system, then option A is the better choice anyway.
What you get
- A functioning SIEM lab server (Wazuh, Kibana, log monitoring)
- Pirogue kit installed and tested for device check-ups
- Staff trained in basic digital forensics, threat detection, and safe use
- Printable guides and follow-up resources for use with survivors
- A lively, team-based, build-it-together day that doesn’t feel like training
Cost-saving ideas
- Reuse existing hardware (old laptop/server instead of new box)
- Ask for donated Pi hardware from local tech groups
- Use volunteer or in-house tech allies as co-facilitators
- Shared catering with other in-house events