THE SANS INSTITUTE IS PROUD TO PRESENT
The 5th Annual SANS International Services Cup
Now in its 5th year, the SANS International Services Cup has expanded beyond the Fourteen Eyes countries to welcome participants from the international military community. This cyber range event is a high-stakes, invitation-only competition to challenge military teams from around the world to test their cybersecurity skills in a six-hour showdown.
- This event is free to enter
- Each country may enter up to five teams of four players
- To ensure fairness across time zones, each day of the two-day event will be optimized for different global regions
- The winning team will receive a trophy and international bragging rights
- Note that no other rankings or scores will be publicly released
Rally your team and represent your nation on a friendly cyber battlefield!
SANS International Services Cup 2025
Note that dates and time are in Universal Time Coordinated (UTC)
Virtual Reception: July 9 | 1045 - 1100 (UTC)
Competition Schedule:
- Day 1: July 9 | 1100 - 1400 (UTC)
- Day 2: July 10 | 2000 - 2300 (UTC)
Day 2 of the competition overlaps with July 11.
Awards Ceremony: July 10 | 2330 - 2400 (UTC)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for an invitation to the International Services Cup?
Global elite military teams. This event is by invitation only. Â
Will there be a virtual reception?
Yes, SANS will hold a virtual welcome reception and other special speakers before the tournament begins.Â
What is the team size limit?
Each country may enter up to five teams of four players.Â
What will the winners receive to commemorate their victory?
The winning team will be honored by having their country and service branch information engraved on the brand-new International Services Cup trophy. The engraved trophy will be sent to the location of the winning team’s choice for display.Â
Do I have to pay to attend the event?
No. This event is available at no charge to invited eligible teams.
Will there be a virtual Awards Ceremony?
Yes, SANS will hold a virtual Awards Ceremony with closing remarks directly following the completion of day two of the tournament.
Whom do I contact if I have questions before the tournament?
If you don’t have direct communication with a SANS representative, please reach out to our customer support accordingly to your region for assistance.
Whom do I contact if I have questions during the tournament?
SANS instructors and TAs will be available on Slack throughout the tournament should any questions or issues arise. They can answer your questions in real-time.
Do I need to have a SANS account prior to the event?
Yes, you need to have your SANS account set up prior to the tournament. If you do not have an account yet, please sign up below.
When and how will I receive my login details for the tournament?
Your SANS representative will email you with login details the week of the tournament.
What are the laptop requirements for participation in the tournament? Do I need to download any tools or software to participate in the tournament?
You must have a laptop or desktop computer to participate.  8 GB of RAM or more and 20 GB of free disk space are required.  You’ll need an up-to-date browser, such as Chrome, Edge, or Safari, to participate.  All tools needed for the range are provided as well, but you are free to use additional tools if you choose.  No virtualization software is required.
Can I test my connection to the NetWars platform prior to the tournament commencing?
Yes, the platform will be available 30 minutes prior to the published start time. If you experience issues with your connection at any time during the tournament, SANS instructors and TAs will be available in Slack to assist you.
I understand the event is virtual, but do I need to be in the same physical location as the rest of my team?
No, you can participate from anywhere, and you can play as a team even if you are not physically together.
Will there be a way for me to communicate with my team and other participants in the tournament (via Slack or another platform)?
Yes, we will have Slack channels set up for you to communicate with everyone involved in the tournament, as well as private channels for you to communicate with your team or with SANS instructors and TAs. Alternatively, teams can use their own communication mechanisms to collaborate if they’d prefer.