the most trusted source for computer security training, certification and research
Global Information Assurance Certification

SANS @Home, awesome! Not like being there, but almost better, you can look up sites as people share or the instructor shares, and bookmark them! - John Cahill, Piedmont Natural Gas

@Home FAQ

General
Portal Accounts
General
 When will I get my course books?

Course books will be shipped to the ADDRESS you provided upon REGISTRATION, approximately 10 days prior to the start of class, to SANS @Home students who have PAID IN FULL.

UPS can't deliver packages to a PO Box address.

Please contact Marie at msmith@sans.org if you need to adjust your shipping address or if you do not receive these materials by the start of your class.

top^
 Are SANS courses eligible for the United States GI Bill?

The GI Bill provides financial aid for courses taken through an accredited educational institution. SANS is an independent organization, and courses taken directly through SANS do not qualify for assistance under the GI Bill.

However GIAC Certification is eligible. Details provided below.

top^
 Is GIAC certification eligible for reimbursement under the GI Bill?

GIAC certification is now available for VA reimbursement for Chapter 30 and Chapter 35 veterans and eligible dependents. Please note that VA reimbursement is only for GIAC certification and does not include SANS training fees. Certification may be earned in conjunction with SANS training or separately as a Challenge Certification. The reimbursement can be applied retroactively for any GIAC certifications received since November 15, 2001.

The following certifications apply for VA funds:

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

GIAC Certified Firewall Analyst (GCFW)

GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator (GCWN)

GIAC Certified UNIX Security Administrator (GCUX)

GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA)

Veterans can apply using VA Form 22-1990 or a letter to the VA Regional Processing Center that handles their state.

To request reimbursement of the exam fee under LACAS, Students must include a copy of their test scores, their receipt for payment of the test fee, and sign a statement authorizing the VA to verify test results with SANS.

Information about the program is at the VA website under Education benefits.

top^
Portal Accounts
 What is a SANS Portal Account?

SANS Portal Accounts are the gateway to SANS training materials. All SANS @Home webcasts, online study materials, practice tests, and GIAC certification information are accessed through SANS Portal Accounts.

In the event you do not ALREADY have a Portal Account, upon registering, a Portal Account and PASSWORD will be automatically created for you.

SANS Portal Accounts are associated to the email address used when registering and your email address is your USER ID.

ALL SANS-RELATED CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU PROVIDE UPON REGISTERING.

Please be certain that you can receive email from sans.org, giac.org, and giac.net email addresses to ensure you receive all correspondence.

To access your Portal Account, please go to: http://portal.sans.org/

To change the auto-generated password, or if you forgot your password, click on 'Forgot Password' and follow the instructions provided.

top^
 How do I access my Portal Account?

To access your Portal Account, please go to: http://portal.sans.org/

Enter the email address you used when registering for SANS training -- this is your USER ID.

Enter your password.

To change the 'auto-generated' password, or if you forgot your password, please click on the 'Forgot Password' link and follow the instructions provided.

Please use only ONE email address [the same one you register with] when communicating with SANS, as your email address serves as your USER ID.

top^
 How do I change my password?

Log into your Portal Account at: http://portal.sans.org/

Enter the email address you used when registering for SANS training -- this is your USER ID.

Click on the 'Forgot Password' link and follow the instructions provided.

top^
 Can I have more than ONE Portal Account?

In the event you do not have a SANS Portal Account, upon registering, a Portal Account and PASSWORD will be automatically created for you, associated to the email address you use when registering.

Students may have several different Portal Accounts, due to using DIFFERENT email address at the time of registering for training.

To access SANS online study materials, you MUST use the SAME EMAIL ADDRESS used during registration as this serves as your USER ID.

To access your Portal Account, please go to: http://portal.sans.org/

To change the auto-generated password, or if you forgot your password, click on 'Forgot Password' and follow the instructions provided.

top^
 Can I change my email address associated with my Portal Account?

If you prefer to use another email account to access your training materials, you may change your email address by contacting SANS Registration Office at: registration@sans.org PRIOR to the start of you session.

Be sure to include the title and location of your class along with your Invoice Number when requesting an email address change.

You cannot change your email address, once you have been provided online access.

top^
 Who do I contact for problems with my Portal Account?

If you have questions not answered above, or have any problems with your Portal Account, please contact: selfstudy@sans.org

top^