SANS.edu Sentinels Excel at Fall 2025 National Cyber League Competition

Bethesda, MD, November 25, 2025 — The SANS Technology Institute delivered standout results in the Fall 2025 National Cyber League (NCL), including the #1 Power Ranking in the Experienced Student bracket, as well as the #1, #2, and #4 individual players in that bracket. Across divisions, SANS.edu Sentinels showed depth and consistency, accounting for 50% of the Top 10 (and 30% of the Top 100) individual players in the Experienced Student bracket and placing 15 teams in the Top 100 across the Experienced and Standard brackets.

“Our students prove, time and again, that practitioner-led training plus relentless practice wins in real-world scenarios,” said Ed Skoudis, President of the SANS Technology Institute. “This season’s results showcase not just individual excellence but the culture of mentorship and teamwork that defines SANS.edu. We’re incredibly proud of our Sentinels, and we deeply appreciate the coaching leadership of John Hally and Jacob Elliott who helped guide our teams to such extraordinary outcomes.”

One of the standout teams placed 3rd overall in the Experienced Student bracket. The team members were Brian Davidson, Julian Tatah Eyong (Paller Scholar), Nic Jones, Steve Legere, Derrick Shaw, Justin Tarleton, and Piotr Wosiak (Paller Scholar).

Brian Davidson, a SANS.edu master’s degree graduate now pursuing a graduate certificate in incident response, captured the #1 individual ranking and competed on the #3 team in the Experienced Student bracket. “SANS.edu gave us the hands-on foundation and a mindset for solving problems under pressure,” Davidson said. “That preparation showed up on the scoreboard. I’m grateful for the camaraderie of teammates who push each other to be better every day.”

The SANS.edu Sentinels’ notable accomplishments at the Fall 2025 NCL Competition include:

• #1 Power Ranking — Experienced Student bracket
• #1, #2, #4 Individual Players — Experienced Student bracket
• #3 Team — Experienced Student bracket
• 5 of the Top 10 Individual Players — Experienced Student bracket
• 10 Teams in the Top 100 — Experienced Student bracket
• 5 Teams in the Top 100 — Standard Student bracket
• 50% of the Top 10 Individual Players were SANS.edu Sentinels — Experienced Student bracket
• 30% of the Top 100 Individual Players were SANS.edu Sentinels — Experienced Student bracket

About the SANS Technology Institute

The SANS Technology Institute, 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.