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SANS Upskill in Cyber - Employers

Reasons to recruit from the Upskill In Cyber Programme

The Upskill In Cyber Programme aims to assess, select, train, and deploy new and much needed talent into the cyber security sector. Cyber Academy students are selected through a rigorous assessment process, using the SANS CyberTalent Enhanced aptitude assessment tool. The tool has been specifically developed by SANS, drawing on traits and characteristics of their world class instructors and cyber security professionals, to assess and identify those with the greatest chance of success in this field.

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Tracking students’ progress

Unique to the Upskill In Cyber Programme is the level of transparency offered to potential employers. Interested parties are encouraged to be involved as early on as possible and to discuss their specific recruitment needs with SANS.

All students are profiled and observed throughout the training programme. Employers are kept up to date with student performance and progress. All potential employers are also encouraged to attend careers events, which take place during the eight weeks of the programme, offering the chance to meet and interact with the students prior to, and after their graduation. 

Certifications Included

Global Information Assurance Certification, (GIAC), was created to validate the skills of information security professionals, proving that those certified have the deep skills and technical knowledge necessary for roles ranging from complete entry level through to the most advanced technical subject areas. GIAC certifications are globally recognised, industry leading standards, measuring specific skill and knowledge areas. Graduates from the academy will undertake the following two courses and associated certifications:

  • This course provides exactly what students need to go from zero technical and security knowledge to a level of sufficient theoretical understanding and applied practical skills that enables them to speak the same language as industry professionals. Students will then undertake the GFACT certification exam. Students will develop fundamental skills and knowledge in key IT subject areas, including:



    • Computer Components & Concepts

    • Operating Systems, Containers, & Virtualization

    • Linux

    • Networking Fundamentals

    • The Web: Search Engine & Servers

    • Practical Programming in Python & C

    • Windows Foundations

    • Encryption

    • Advanced Computer Hardware

    • Introduction to Basic Security Concepts

    • Introduction to Forensics

    • Introduction to Reconnaissance, Exploitation, & Privilege Escalation

    • Introduction to Network & Computer Infiltration



    Full course information can be found here https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-courses/foundations/



    GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies (GFACT)

    Once the SEC275 course is complete, the students can then book and take the GFACT certification exam.

    Full certification information can be found here https://www.giac.org/certifications/foundational-cybersecurity-technologies-gfact/

  • Organisations are going to be targeted, so they must be prepared for eventual compromise. Today more than ever before, timely detection and response is critical. The longer an adversary is present in an environment, the more devastating and damaging the impact becomes. The most important question in information security may well be, “How quickly can we detect, respond, and remediate an adversary?”

    SEC401 will provide the essential information security skills and techniques needed to protect and secure critical information and technology assets, whether on-premises or in the cloud. SEC401 also shows students how to directly apply the concepts learned into a winning defensive strategy, all in the terms of the modern adversary.

    GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

    Once the SEC401 course is complete, the students can then book and take the GSEC certification exam.

    Full certification information can be found here https://www.giac.org/certifications/security-essentials-gsec/

    GIAC certifications are regulated under the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 Personnel Certification programme, ensuring international quality requirements.

    GIAC currently has over 90,000 certified professionals globally and has issued more than 173,000 certifications since 1999. GIAC certifications provide the confidence that the candidate can apply specific, technical knowledge of a specific subject area, proving that they possess the skills and expertise needed to complete a specific job, as opposed to simply understanding information security principles.

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To Recruit New Cyber security Talent:

  • Join the Upskill in Cyber Programme Careers Fair
  • Share active vacancies with programme participants
  • Host a virtual session or recruitment open day to showcase your organisation, roles, and opportunities
  • Offer screening interviews to programme participants


If you have any questions or would like more information about Upskill in Cyber, please email cyberacademy@sans.org