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About SANS Institute

Launched in 1989 as a cooperative for information security thought leadership, SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) Institute is the largest and most trusted provider of cybersecurity training, certifications, programs, and resources in the world. Our ongoing mission is to empower current and future cybersecurity practitioners with practical skills and knowledge that make the digital world safer, and to support the global cybersecurity community at every stage of their journey.

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Our Mission

Our mission is simple: To empower current and future cybersecurity practitioners and organizations around the globe with practical knowledge and skills they need to make the world a safer place. 

The SANS Promise: Everyone who completes SANS training can apply the skills and knowledge they’ve learned the day they return to work.

Rich Greene: Teacher Smiling While Explaining a Concept

We Make Our Mission A Reality By:

Leading Community Programs

We deliver industry-leading cybersecurity programs, GIAC certifications, resources, training, tools, and events.

Sharing Knowledge and Skills

We collaborate with cyber professionals, organizations, and governments from varied backgrounds and experiences.

Fostering Industry Innovation

We are committed to building a resilient cyber workforce comprising a broad spectrum of perspectives and talents.

Partnering for Learning

We work with the industry's brightest minds to offer a wide range of learning opportunities.

Our Vision

We are focused on building, strengthening, and supporting the global cybersecurity community, ensuring new and current practitioners can access impactful, high-quality training solutions.  

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We Make Our Vision A Reality By:

Innovative Training for Success

We deliver hands-on, job-relevant training and industry certifications to cybersecurity professionals of all skill levels, ensuring access to the latest resources, best practices, and information for success in a rapidly evolving industry. 

First-In-Class, Hands-On Simulations

State-of-the-art, immersive simulation programs prepare students for real hurdles they are likely to face in today’s cybersecurity landscape, allowing them to confidently apply their skills and knowledge to real-world scenarios. 

Readiness for Tomorrow’s Challenges

We want students and organizations to stay ahead of the latest trends, emerging threats, and technological advancements. Our goal is to provide relevant solutions that address today’s challenges and anticipate future needs.

Honesty, Integrity, and Flexibility in All We Do

Embracing our company values of honesty, integrity, and flexibility cultivates a professional environment where authentic bonds can be formed and strengthened.

Our Values

The success of SANS Institute is rooted in our core values – fundamental principles that shape our character and influence the daily conduct of all employees and faculty.

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We Make Our Values a Reality By:

Integrity and Trust 

We ensure we’re providing credible and trustworthy knowledge and skills, whether it’s through our training courses, programs, research, or industry events. 

Excellence in Training, Resources, and Content

We deliver the highest standard in cybersecurity education for all, offering courses, cyber ranges, programs, and resources created by leading field-tested experts. 

Community and Collaboration

Encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing allows us to foster a skilled global cybersecurity community. 

Continuous Learning and Innovation

Continuous learning and innovation are vital to staying ahead of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, ensuring we’re equipped to share the latest knowledge and address emerging threats.

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    Empowering You with Free Training and Support

    The SANS Difference

    We provide thousands of free resources for the cybersecurity community. Elevate your knowledge and gain hands-on experience at free SANS Summits or in virtual workshops. Monitor and learn about emerging threats via the Internet Storm Center. Access original research and insightful analysis from global experts. 

    Explore Free Resources
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    Making Education in Cybersecurity More Accessible

    The SANS Difference

    Explore funding options that make a cybersecurity education more affordable. As a regionally accredited institution, the SANS Technology Institute enables students to use employer tuition assistance, veterans' benefits, 529 plans, and other funding sources. Interest-free monthly payment plans and pay-per-course flexibility can help you pursue your cybersecurity education without the burden of traditional student loan debt.

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    Offering Top College Programs for a Stronger Cyber Workforce

    The SANS Difference

    SANS Technology Institute is strengthening the cyber workforce through hands-on, career-focused degree and certificate programs built on proven SANS courses and industry-recognized GIAC certifications. 

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SANS Instructors

The cornerstones of our business are SANS instructors – passionate, experienced practitioners, actively working in the field, who are committed to mentoring others and teaching critical cybersecurity skills in an immersive and impactful learning environment.

Heather BarnhartEd SkoudisRich GreeneStephen SimsDr. Johannes Ullrich
Learn more about our instructors

How SANS Makes an Impact

We fulfill our mission by offering scholarship academies, free global cyber range challenges and summits, foundational learning programs, thousands of practical resources, and other valuable initiatives. 

400,000+

Cybersecurity professionals have trained with SANS, making us the number one provider of security education globally.

17+

Annual SANS cybersecurity summits, hosted worldwide, covering a wide range of topics, from incident response to cloud security, AI, Industrial Controls Systems, emerging threats, and more. Summits foster collaboration and innovation. 

85+

Cybersecurity courses across multiple focus areas, including offensive operations, cloud security, cyber defense, AI, digital forensics, leadership, and industrial control systems security. 

50+

GIAC certifications that validate skills and knowledge, providing assurance to employers and opening the doors to new careers and growth.

The SANS Mission

Internet Storm Center

Global incident alert network with more than 15,000 global target IPs and 250-300 active submitters gathering new data to help you stay abreast of the latest threats.

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Internet Storm Center

Cyber Academies

A variety of scholarship-based academies from SANS and our partner enable under-resourced career changers and students to launch new cyber careers every year.

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Cyber Academy

Law Enforcement Appreciation Program

Supporting state, provincial, local, and federal law enforcement with promotional programs towards SANS training.

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Law Enforcement Program

SANS Summits

SANS Summits offer opportunities to learn, connect, and share with cybersecurity professionals from around the globe.

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Summits

Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship

The Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship is an international scholarship program providing free access to world-class cybersecurity education at the SANS Technology Institute.

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Alan Paller

National Cyber Readiness Council

A group of former U.S. military, intelligence, and government leaders who advise SANS on current threats and on training the government cyber workforce.

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SANS National Cyber Readiness Council

Perspectives from the Community

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    With attention to quality, SANS creates a virtuous circle of goodness - high quality attendees make the high quality training even more valuable.
    Chris BDiscover Financial Services
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    I have taken numerous courses over my career and many were online. Nothing, including expensive college-level courses, were on the same level as SANS training. It's dense, rich, and immediately applicable. If the student takes what they have learned into their workplace, they will immediately be able to distinguish themselves. I’m already looking forward to my next SANS training opportunity, and I highly recommend it to others.
    Dave BLytx Inc.
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    I recognize SANS is constantly evolving the process of delivery, both in person and OnDemand. What we students gain access to is simply phenomenal.  While my very first exposure to SANS was in New Orleans in 1999, the quality remains simply unmatched in this industry.
    Dustin D.1 on 1 Security
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    The entire atmosphere presented by the SANS team is a welcoming, informative, and comfortable learning environment
    Odam TWestrock
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Alan Paller 

About Our Founder

Mr. Paller was a pioneer in the cybersecurity industry, championing the need for greater education and knowledge for practitioners. His combination of passion, intellect, and ethical rigor was instrumental in bringing more skilled people into the profession. In 1989, he founded SANS, a professional cybersecurity training and research organization that has grown to be the world’s largest and now trains more than 40,000 cybersecurity technologists each year. 

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Alan Paller

Connect with Us

Reach out to our team for more information about our mission and how together we can make a meaningful impact in the cybersecurity community. 

Contact Us Today