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About SANS Cybersecurity Instructors

SANS cybersecurity instructors are world-renowned field practitioners who are committed to preparing and deploying the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through lectures, immersive labs, and interactive discussions. Learn from the best today.

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Learn From the Best Cybersecurity Experts in the Industry

SANS instructors are committed to providing engaging and positive learning environments that focus on key skills taught through lectures, immersive hands-on labs, and interactive discussions. Not only have these individuals proven their expertise in the field, but they have also demonstrated extraordinary ability to train others to advance their own capabilities. Our top cybersecurity experts make it possible for SANS and GIAC to deliver on our mission to prepare and deploy the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

The SANS Standard for Teaching

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Expert practitioners with years of experience in the industry

Instructor teaching to class

Vetted and trained through a highly-selective instructor development program

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Passionate about sharing knowledge with the global community

By the Numbers

16+

Average years spent as a cybersecurity practitioner before becoming a SANS-certified instructor.

150+

More than 150 open source cybersecurity tools have been created by SANS instructors.

40+

SANS instructors have authored more than 40 books on information security.

3.5K+

SANS instructors have produced more than 3,500 research papers and webcasts on information security topics.

Providing Real World Expertise

Each of our 120+ SANS Institute instructors is a cybersecurity expert and passionate educator dedicated to strengthening the cybersecurity community with:

Hands-On, Cutting-Edge Courses

Hands-on labs, simulations, and exercises are designed to provide real-world knowledge, ensuring students are immediately prepared to tackle threats in the real world.

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Practical Resources And Tools

Students gain access to resources and tools to augment training and harden skills.

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Engaging Summits and Webcasts

Stay in front of ever-evolving security requirements and threats with SANS summits and webcasts led by industry experts.

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SANS Summits

Featured Instructors

Bryan Simon

Bryan Simon

CEO at Xploit Security Inc.

Bryan is a SANS Senior Instructor and author of SEC401. With 30+ years of cybersecurity experience and 22 GIAC certifications—including the prestigious GSE—he's trained professionals from the FBI, NATO, and the UN. He is the CEO of Xploit Security Inc.

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Frank Kim

Frank Kim

Venture Advisor at YL Ventures

SANS Fellow Frank Kim helps to develop the next generation of CISOs and cyber leaders while teaching LDR512 and LDR514.

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Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson

Principal Security Engineer at Puma Security

Eric Johnson is a Fellow at the SANS Institute and Principal Security Engineer at Puma Security. He leads hands-on training in SEC540: Cloud Native Security and DevSecOps Automation, co-authors SEC549 and SEC510, and develops open-source tools to help practitioners secure cloud pipelines.

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Sean O'Connor

Sean O'Connor

Director at the Digital Defense Center at Southern Company

Sean O’Connor is a cybersecurity professional with over 15 years of experience in intelligence, digital forensics, and threat analysis across both the private and public sectors.

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Justin Searle

Justin Searle

Director of ICS Security at InGuardians, Inc.

Justin Searle has redefined industrial cybersecurity by leading the development of NIST IR 7628, a cornerstone in smart grid security, and creating open-source tools like ControlThings that have become essential for ICS/IIoT assessments.

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Jonathan Reiter

Jonathan Reiter

Jonathan Reiter teaches advanced red team operations and Windows implant development through hands-on labs grounded in real-world experience.

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What Students Say About SANS Instructors

  • Slide 1 of 4
    Joshua Lemon is amazing. He has the professional experience to significantly enhance and supplement course content, and modernizes all of his examples and information so that the course is immediately relevant to my job.
    Puneet SethiBinary Defense
  • Slide 2 of 4
    Heather is an outstanding instructor. She is passionate about the topic and is extremely knowledgeable. Best class I have ever taken.
    KoachSPD
  • Slide 3 of 4
    As a long-time, enterprise network defender, I can say that Phils knowledge is excellent and this class should be manditory training for all blue training.
    NicFOR572 Student
  • Slide 4 of 4
    Great presenter, greater speaker. Russell got everyone involved and shared real life stories to enrich the course material.
    SaraFederal Reserve Bank
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Instructor FAQs

From Chief Technology Officers to award-winning authors and military veterans, our instructors have proven their expertise in the field through their commitment to cybersecurity in various roles. As industry leaders, SANS instructors possess hands-on experience in key focus areas, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Security, Cyber Defense, Industrial Control Systems Security, and more. 

Instructors also hold industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications, including GCIA and GSEC, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Our instructors are carefully selected, ensuring they possess practical experience in critical infosec sectors and can effectively teach others. Each instructor brings years of experience and knowledge to every course and curriculum. Learn more about our instructor requirements.

Each SANS instructor has a profile page featuring detailed bios, upcoming courses, student reviews, and contributions. Here, you can read about their career and notable accomplishments.