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Evan Dygert

Evan's career of 30+ years has spanned a variety of digital fields including software development, computer networking and security, and more recently, digital forensics. It is this vast experience that allows Evan to analyze and understand Malware at a fundamental level and share that knowledge with his students.

Evan first applied his focus to digital forensics back in 2003 when his young daughter's browser was hacked. He immediately took an active role in defending against malicious actors at home, and along the way got hooked on digital forensics. As Evan learned more and more about the security field and its sub-specialties, he realized there was an endless world to explore. Today, Evan is a consultant with Dygert Consulting, offering expert consulting and computer forensic services. He is also a Principal Scientist, Cyber Threat Research and Active Measures at AbbVie.

When he's not at his day job, Evan is a SANS instructor, teaching FOR610: Reverse-Engineering Malware: Malware Analysis Tools and Techniques, where he shows his class how to implement solid problem-solving approaches with specific malware samples. Evan's classes are interactive and conversational, always with the goal of gaining student understanding. He adjusts the focus of each class to the specific needs of the students attending that session. In addition to FOR610, Evan teaches SEC503: Intrusion Detection In-Depth, SEC504: Hacker Tools, Techniques, Exploits, and Incident Handling and FOR508: Advanced Incident Response, Threat Hunting & Digital Forensics

More About Evan

Specialties

  • Digital Forensics, Incident Response & Threat Hunting
  • Penetration Testing and Red Teaming
Headshot of Evan Dygert

Profile

A life-long learner himself, Evan stresses the need for continued learning and skill advancement to his students as well. "There are many sources of information to help with improving malware analysis skills," he says. "I share these sources with the class, so they know where to go to continue improving their skills."

Evan's work in digital forensics, computer security, and expert witness work have allowed him to write expert reports, affidavits, and testify in depositions, federal hearings, and a trial. He also mentors local high school CyberPatriot teams, which have gone to the CyberPatriot National Finals three times.

Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Evan is also experienced in many computer languages including Java, Pascal, C/C++, assembly language, and Python. He has presented at BSides Orlando, SANS@Night, OWASP AppSec USA and the (ISC)2 Security Congress, and has earned 18 GIAC certifications, including the prestigious GIAC Security Expert (GSE) certification. He is also a faculty member of the SANS Technology Institute, an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and multiple winner of the National Cyber League competition.

Evan has a bachelor's degree in computer science from Brigham Young University, a master's in business administration from Rollins College, and has completed coursework for a Ph.D. in computer information systems, which he will earn upon completion of his dissertation.

Evan stays busy and working in security doesn't leave much time for hobbies, but in his downtime he enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with his wife.

ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY EVAN DYGERT:

WEBCASTS

The State of Malware Analysis: Advice from the Trenches, September 2019

Shortcuts for Understanding Malicious Scripts, October 2018