Seth Misenar

Seth’s career began in the early days of enterprise security, spanning industries from healthcare and finance to the government sector. As artificial intelligence and large language models have become essential to modern operations, Seth has worked with organizations to address new security challenges and develop safe, effective defenses. His experience in architecture design, vulnerability assessment, and compliance has shaped his belief that effective defense demands both technical mastery and strategic thinking. As Founder and Principal Consultant of Context Security, LLC, he provides assessment and architecture services to help organizations translate strategy into execution. Over the course of his career, Seth has discovered that his greatest impact comes not just from securing systems, but from teaching others how to think critically about defending them. These real-world lessons form the foundation of his SANS courses, where each lab and scenario draws directly from the challenges he has encountered in the field.

He holds the prestigious GIAC Security Expert (GSE #28) certification, one of cybersecurity’s most demanding distinctions, alongside numerous GIAC credentials spanning operations, defense, and leadership. A lifelong learner, Seth also earned a Master of Science in Information Security Engineering from the SANS Technology Institute. He co-authored the “CISSP Study Guide” (4th Edition) and “11th Hour CISSP Study Guide” (3rd Edition), two trusted resources used worldwide to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Seth 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, Seth is known for his authenticity, humor, and ability to make cybersecurity approachable. Students describe him as “engaging, dynamic, and deeply relatable,” noting how his practical examples make advanced topics intuitive. His teaching philosophy centers on empowerment, helping students gain both confidence and clarity in their role as defenders. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching youth sports and exploring technology’s creative potential. He reminds his students that curiosity and perseverance are qualities of great defenders, and will help to build the next generation of leaders in cybersecurity.

Qualifications Summary

• Master of Science in Information Security Engineering (MSISE), SANS Technology Institute
• Faculty Fellow, SANS Institute
• Author of SEC411: AI Security Principles and Practices: GenAI and LLM Defense, and Co-author of SEC511: Cybersecurity Engineering: Advanced Threat Detection and Monitoring and LDR414: SANS Training Program for CISSP® Certification
• Faculty Member, SANS Technology Institute
• Founder and Principal Consultant, Context Security, LLC.
• Author, CISSP Study Guide (4th Edition) and 11th Hour CISSP Study Guide (3rd Edition)
• GIAC Certifications: GIAC Security Expert (GSE #28)
• CISSP Certified