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Chris Dale

Principal InstructorChief Hacking Officer at River Security

Specialities

Offensive Operations

Chris Dale

About Chris Dale

Chris Dale is a SANS Principal Instructor and SANS Analyst, and Chief Hacking Officer at River Security, where he helps organizations understand and reduce risk through offensive security, attack surface management, and incident response. At SANS, he teaches SANS’s flagship course, SEC504: Hacker Tools, Techniques, and Incident Handling. Together, these roles position him at the intersection of hands-on operations, modern adversary simulation, and practical defender education.

Chris’s path into cybersecurity grew out of an early interest in how systems work and how they break. He began his career in 2009 at a large Norwegian ISP, working in development and IT operations, where he built a strong foundation in interconnected systems, infrastructure, and software. He went on to serve in increasingly senior security roles, including leadership over penetration testing and incident response teams at Netsecurity. In 2020, he founded River Security, bringing together offensive services, cyber consulting, and attack surface management. That progression from builder to operator to leader shapes the way he teaches: students learn not only how attackers think, but also how defenders can prioritize, respond, and improve resilience in real environments.

Chris holds GIAC certifications including GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), GIAC Defending Advanced Threats (GDAT), GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), GIAC Mobile Device Security Analyst (GMOB), and GIAC Security Leadership Certification (GSLC). He also holds a bachelor’s degree in informatics with a specialization in programming from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Beyond the classroom, he regularly presents at conferences and workshops, contributes tutorials and technical explainers through YouTube and LinkedIn, and participates in government-related working groups focused on strengthening security, including those focused on security in democratic processes, across the Norwegian public and private sectors. Chris is also a faculty member of the SANS Technology Institute, which has been designated an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and is a multi-year winner of the National Cyber League competition.

In the classroom, Chris is known for combining high-energy delivery with practical realism. Student feedback consistently highlights his subject-matter depth, enthusiasm, and ability to connect course material with lessons from real engagements. He believes the best learning happens when students stay curious, enjoy the process, and leave with notes and ideas they can apply immediately back at work. Outside of cybersecurity, you’ll find him trekking and biking, spending time with his kids, and just generally nerding out.

Qualifications Summary
  • SANS Principal Instructor, SANS Analyst; Chief Hacking Officer at River Security
  • GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), GIAC Defending Advanced Threats (GDAT), GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), GIAC Mobile Device Security Analyst (GMOB), and GIAC Security Leadership Certification (GSLC)
  • Bachelor’s degree in informatics, with specialization in programming, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  • Founder of River Security and former leader of penetration testing and incident response teams at Netsecurity
  • Conference speaker, workshop presenter, YouTube educator, and contributor to government-related working groups in Norway.

Press & Media

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