Lance Spitzner
Senior InstructorDirector, Workforce Cybersecurity Training at SANS Institute
Specialities
Cybersecurity Leadership, Security Awareness

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Contact UsCybersecurity Leadership, Security Awareness

Lance Spitzner is a Senior Instructor and the Director, Workforce Cybersecurity Training at the SANS Institute and a global leader in managing human risk and building security cultures that last. As author and instructor for LDR433: Managing Human Risk and LDR521: Security Culture for Leaders, he helps organizations transform cybersecurity from a technical program into a people-powered movement that changes behavior and reduces risk.
Lance’s cybersecurity career began after serving as an armor officer in the U.S. Army’s Rapid Deployment Force and earning his MBA from the University of Illinois. While interning at a Unix consulting company, he discovered his passion for systems and defense, becoming the go-to expert on firewalls. His early technical work as a security architect at Sun Microsystems, helping secure some of the world’s largest enterprises, led him to find the Honeynet Project, which pioneered the fields of deception and cyber intelligence. Over the past 25 years, he has advised 350+ organizations across 20 countries, authored three books, and taught thousands of students how to defend both technology and people.
The most amazing and engaging instructor I have ever come across. The content and resources he presented are incredibly helpful and give me the tools needed to be organized and perceptive.
[Lance was] very knowledgeable in presenting the material. Answered all questions and ensured they were presented to the entire class for understanding.
Lance is brilliant - so knowledgeable and has a great delivery style.
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Learn how to engage and transform your organization into the biggest believers and supporters of cybersecurity by institutionalizing a strong security culture.

Get an inside look at how security awareness is evolving in 2026. Explore AI-driven threats, human risk trends, and new SANS innovations, from role-based training to enhanced phishing simulations.

AI is already in your workplace...often without guardrails. This webinar helps leaders understand generative and agentic AI risks and design practical, enablement-driven strategies to ensure employees use AI securely and responsibly.

Using lessons from the SANS LDR521 course, Lance Spitzner will start with how to decipher your organizational culture and how to use that to create your guiding principles. We then will cover the four key drivers of security culture and how to align those drivers your strategy. The end result will be a custom strategy you can being to implement right away.

Are you struggling to get both executives and your workforce to buy into cybersecurity? Do you feel overwhelmed and need to scale the impact of your security team? Learn how to engage and transform your organization into the biggest believers and supporters of cybersecurity by institutionalizing a strong security culture.

Transitioning from a highly technical role to a leadership position in cybersecurity requires a unique blend of skills and values.

The 2024 SANS Security Awareness Report equips you with essential insights to combat top cybersecurity threats and build a strong security culture.

Are you struggling to get both your leadership and workforce to buy into cybersecurity? Do you feel overwhelmed and need to scale the impact of your security team? Learn how to engage and transform your organization into the biggest believers and supporters of cybersecurity by institutionalizing a strong security culture. • What is a strong security culture and how it helps you • Indicators of a strong security culture • Top three drivers of a strong security culture • Key models and how to build the culture you want, to include Curse of Knowledge, Golden Circle and ADKAR change model. • The most common mistakes security teams and leaders make • How to measure and quantify your security culture

Confused by all the hype with AI? Not sure what the difference is between a LLM, GenAI or Deep Learning? Do you want to make the most of this exciting new technology but not sure where to start or the issues involved? Learn the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI and Prompt Engineering and how exponentially increase your impact.

Join us for an interactive SANS Day where cybersecurity experts and enthusiasts come together to explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. This event promises a full day of insightful presentations, hands-on experiences, and valuable networking opportunities, and is designed for professionals at all levels. You will have the opportunity to engage with SANS Instructors and hear their insights on cybersecurity threats, customer landscape, AI, and how you can continue to development and advance in your career path. This is a must attend event for anyone passionate about staying ahead in the rapidly evolving world of cybersecurity. Don't miss out on the chance to learn, engage, connect, and grow in your cybersecurity journey!

Join us for an interactive SANS Day where cybersecurity experts and enthusiasts come together to explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. This event promises a full day of insightful presentations, hands-on experiences, and valuable networking opportunities, and is designed for professionals at all levels. You will have the opportunity to engage with SANS Instructors and hear their insights on cybersecurity threats, customer landscape, AI, and how you can continue to development and advance in your career path. This is a must attend event for anyone passionate about staying ahead in the rapidly evolving world of cybersecurity. Don't miss out on the chance to learn, engage, connect, and grow in your cybersecurity journey!

Join SANS experts for an informative webcast where we delve into Verizon’s recently released annual Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) a leading source of insights into the primary causes of the most significant data breaches around the world. This publication presents a unique opportunity for both awareness and technical teams to better understand recent attack methodologies and their effect on their operations.

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