These times of declining academic budgets coupled with increased demand for information assurance professionals presents unique challenges for academic departments wishing to build capacity in information assurance. This paper discusses the evolution of the Advanced System Security Education, Research, and Training (ASSERT) Lab at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The effort began with the low cost construction of a proof-of-concept dedicated information assurance lab that was then used to leverage additional funding to build a high capacity research and educational environment to meet the needs of the students, faculty, and researchers who now utilize this vital facility.