Press Release: SANS Institute announces strategic cybersecurity training agreement with German government

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – 1 September 2026 – As European governments boost cybersecurity workforce investment amid escalating threats and a deepening talent shortage, SANS Institute and the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) announced a strategic framework agreement. The multi-year agreement will enable the training and GIAC certification of several thousand cybersecurity professionals across the Bundeswehr and key German federal security authorities. It will support Germany's long-term cyber resilience by strengthening the technical capabilities of personnel responsible for defending critical government systems and national security infrastructure. The framework agreement extends beyond the Bundeswehr to include key federal security organisations such as the Central Office for Information Technology in the Security Sector (ZITiS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). Together, the agreement establishes a standardised, internationally recognised approach to cybersecurity workforce development across Germany's public sector while reinforcing long-term cooperation between SANS Institute and Germany's national security community. "At no point in my 20+ years have I seen so much disruption: opportunity for good and bad changes in cyber security. AI is accelerating both sides of the fight — attack and defence — and the sophistication demanded of practitioners is rising to match," said James Lyne, CEO at SANS Institute. "Our job is straightforward: to make a world worse for adversaries and cyber criminals and better for the good guys. SANS will continue to support the Bundeswehr and Germany’s federal security authorities in their efforts to arm thousands of defenders with proven hands-on capability, taught by world-class faculty and validated by industry-leading GIAC certifications." The agreement provides participating organisations with access to SANS' comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity training, covering disciplines including:

• Offensive security and penetration testing
• Incident response and digital forensics
• Threat hunting and detection engineering
• Cloud security
• Industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) security
• Security leadership and management
• Emerging cyber defence technologies

Courses will be delivered through a combination of in-person and live online training, providing flexibility while maintaining the immersive, hands-on learning experience for which SANS is internationally recognised. Participants can also earn GIAC certifications, providing an independent and globally respected validation of technical cybersecurity skills. Ronald Mol, DACH Country Lead at SANS Institute said, “SANS has partnered with governments around the world for decades to help develop the skilled cybersecurity workforces needed to defend against evolving threats. This agreement reinforces our long-standing commitment to supporting Germany, Europe, and allied nations in strengthening their cyber capabilities. Building on our successful collaboration with the Bundeswehr since 2022, we look forward to continuing our partnership to help develop the next generation of cyber defenders.” To learn more about SANS Government Training and Workforce Development programs, visit www.sans.org or contact Nicolas Heyer, Regional Lead – Military & Law Enforcement (DACH) at behoerden@sans.org to discuss cybersecurity workforce development initiatives for government and critical infrastructure organisations.

About SANS Institute The SANS Institute is the global leader in cybersecurity training and certifications, trusted by governments, enterprises, and security professionals worldwide. For over three decades, SANS has set the industry standard for technical excellence, equipping practitioners with the real-world skills needed to defend today’s most complex digital environments. As cybersecurity evolves, SANS continues to lead the way, defining best practices and establishing the global benchmark for AI security and emerging technologies.