Bryan Simon

Bryan’s career spans the full evolution of cybersecurity, from its infancy in the early 1990s to today’s cloud-connected world. Since entering the field in 1991, he has held technical and leadership roles across education, environmental, accounting, and financial services sectors, guiding organizations through the rise of the internet and the challenges of securing it. Over those decades, he has watched cybersecurity transform from a niche discipline to a critical global priority, and has helped shape that transformation every step of the way. His courses have built the skills and confidence of thousands of professionals, from new defenders to the world’s most seasoned analysts. As President and CEO of Xploit Security Inc., he carries that same philosophy into consulting—helping organizations bridge the gap between theory and practice so that security empowers, rather than inhibits, progress. Grounded in decades of experience, his work has taken him across four continents to train personnel from the FBI, NATO, and the United Nations. He is also a faculty member of the SANS Technology Institute, an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and a multi-year winner of the National Cyber League competition.

He holds 22 GIAC certifications, including the elite GIAC Security Expert (GSE)—one of the field’s most demanding distinctions—and the CISSP credential. A member of the GIAC Advisory Board, Bryan was recognized as an I.T. Hero by McAfee for his contributions to cybersecurity education and awareness.

Bryan’s teaching philosophy is simple: make cybersecurity human, hands-on, and habit-forming. Students describe him as “engaging, relatable, and inspiring,” praising his energy and ability to connect technical depth to real-world challenges. Many credit his course with launching or accelerating their careers in cybersecurity. Whether guiding a boardroom or a classroom full of new defenders, Bryan applies the same philosophy: effective security starts with education, empathy, and execution. Outside the classroom, he advocates for a world where cybersecurity is more than protection—it’s the foundation for innovation, trust, and human progress. Through decades of work, his influence has helped shape how organizations defend themselves and how the next generation of defenders learns to lead.

Qualifications Summary

• Senior Instructor, SANS Institute
• Course Author, SEC401: Security Essentials
• Faculty Member, SANS Technology Institute
• President and CEO, Xploit Security Inc.
• GIAC Certifications: GSE, GSEC, GSP, GX-CS, GX-IA, GX-IH, GCWN, GCIH, GCFA, GPEN, GWAPT, GAWN, GISP, GCIA, GCED, GCUX, GISF, GMON, GHTQ
• SSP-CNSA, SSP-GHD, SSP-MPA, and CISSP Certified
• GIAC Advisory Board Member
• Faculty Research Advisor, SANS Technology Institute
• Research Committee Member, SANS Technology Institute
• Trainer for global organizations including the FBI, NATO, and the United Nations