SANS and JVS Partner to Expand the U.S. Cybersecurity Workforce

SANS Institute and Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) are proud to announce a new partnership to accelerate cybersecurity workforce development by expanding access to impactful skills, training, and industry-recognized certification. Launched on June 23, this joint effort supports up to 15 students as they build job-ready, hands-on expertise by completing SEC401: Security Essentials - Network, Endpoint, and Cloud, culminating in the globally recognized GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC).

This partnership brings high-quality cybersecurity training to individuals preparing to enter one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. Many of the participants are career changers or jobseekers from communities with limited access to opportunities. Students will receive immersive, hands-on instruction that builds both foundational knowledge and practical technical skills aligned with real-world job roles, including Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, and other entry-level cybersecurity positions.

The program reflects the shared commitment of SANS and JVS to advancing career opportunities through skills-based training and responds directly to a national imperative: building a stronger and more resilient cyber workforce. As cyber threats continue to increase in volume and complexity, it is essential to provide more individuals, especially those seeking career mobility, with access to high-quality training that protects our digital infrastructure.

“This partnership with JVS is one more step in SANS’s ongoing efforts to expand the nation’s cyber workforce by enabling high potential talent. Alongside the expansion of the SANS Cyber Academy, it reflects our broader commitment to creating more opportunities for people to build meaningful careers in cybersecurity and helping employers fill critical, open roles.” - Max Shuftan, Director of Mission Programs and Partnerships, SANS Institute

“At JVS, we’re committed to connecting people with the skills and support they need to thrive in today’s economy. This partnership with SANS opens doors to life-changing opportunities in cybersecurity—a field that offers not only strong wages but long-term career growth. By pairing world-class technical training with our job placement expertise and wraparound services, we’re helping participants launch meaningful careers while addressing a critical workforce need.” - Jim Dowling, Director of Job Search & Placement, JVS

Building Careers Through Strategic Workforce Development

This partnership builds on the broader efforts of both organizations to support career advancement through workforce training. For SANS, it reinforces a longstanding commitment to increasing access to industry-recognized cybersecurity education. For JVS, it advances the mission of equipping individuals with the tools, training, and support they need to build stable, rewarding careers.

By combining SANS’s deep technical training expertise with JVS’s proven workforce development model and comprehensive support services, this collaboration ensures participants are not only prepared for certification but also positioned for long-term success. The joint program demonstrates how mission-driven partnerships can bridge the gap between motivated learners and the nation’s growing cybersecurity needs.

About SANS Institute

Established in 1989, SANS Institute is the most trusted and by far the largest provider of cybersecurity training and certifications in the world. SANS offers more than 85 hands-on courses and certification programs, serving over 50,000 cybersecurity professionals each year. SANS also develops and maintains the largest collection of free cybersecurity resources, including industry reports, webcasts, white papers, and more. The SANS mission is to empower current and future cybersecurity practitioners with the practical skills and knowledge needed to make the digital world safer while supporting the global cybersecurity community at every stage of their journey.

About Jewish Vocational Services (JVS)

Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) is dedicated to closing opportunity gaps in employment by supporting jobseekers with the skills and confidence to secure quality careers with family-sustaining wages. We believe everyone, regardless of background, deserves access to quality jobs and economic mobility. Over the past 50 years, JVS has helped more than 100,000 people access better career pathways. On average, program graduates see a 135% average increase in earnings five years after completion. This impact is made possible through strong partnerships with more than 550 California employers. Through skills training, employer engagement, and systems-level change, JVS is transforming the world of work—because when we create equitable paths to opportunity, individuals, families, employers, and communities thrive.