Three SANS.edu Students Honored with Assante Scholar Awards at SANS ICS Summit

Bethesda, MD — The SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) is proud to announce that three outstanding students have been named Assante Scholars, an honor awarded annually to individuals demonstrating exceptional promise and dedication to the field of cybersecurity, particularly in the protection of industrial control systems (ICS).

The awards were presented by Tim Conway, the Technical Director of the ICS and SCADA programs at SANS, during the 2025 SANS ICS Summit in Orlando, one of the industry's premier gatherings of industrial cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and thought leaders.

The Assante Scholar Award recipients are:

• Ryan McAndrews, Master of Science in Information Security Engineering
• Jeremy Silverstein, Graduate Certificate in Industrial Control Systems Security
• Christopher Watkins, Applied Cybersecurity Certificate

Named in honor of the late Mike Assante, a visionary in ICS cybersecurity and founder of the Industrial Control Systems Security curriculum at SANS, the Assante Scholar Awards recognize students who embody his mission: securing critical infrastructure through deep technical expertise, relentless curiosity, and a commitment to public good.

“Earning my master’s degree from SANS.edu was a transformative experience, and I’m honored to apply that knowledge every day in my role at S&C Electric Company,” said Assante Scholar Ryan McAndrews. “Receiving the Assante Scholar Award is deeply meaningful because it connects my work to a legacy of leadership and service in ICS security.”

“Mike Assante dedicated his life to protecting critical infrastructure, and these scholars are picking up that mantle,” said SANS Technology Institute President Ed Skoudis. “Ryan, Jeremy, and Christopher have shown the technical ability and mission-driven mindset that make real impact possible in ICS security and beyond.”

These scholars join a distinguished cohort of past recipients who are advancing the security of critical infrastructure across government, industry, and research.

About the SANS Technology Institute

The SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu), America's premier college for cybersecurity, delivers distinguished career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs, characterized by a world-class faculty of highly skilled information security practitioners, hands-on cybersecurity courses regularly updated for real-world relevance, and industry-recognized GIAC certifications earned within each program. SANS.edu offers innovative online and in-person course delivery options, including 100% online options for all its programs. Master's degree students at SANS.edu conduct leading-edge cybersecurity research, enhancing the state of the art in information security practices. The college also houses the Internet Storm Center, the world's leading global cyber threat detection network, where bachelor's degree students gain hands-on experience as Apprentice Handlers.

The SANS Technology Institute's emphasis on real-world skills, mentorship, and cutting-edge curriculum ensures graduates are equipped to defend against today's evolving cyber threats.

For more information about SANS Technology Institute and its programs, visit sans.edu.