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Work Study Program
The Work Study Program is a popular and competitive method of SANS training which allows a selected applicant the opportunity to attend the SANS training as a facilitator and/or Moderator at a highly discounted tuition rate.
With this opportunity Facilitator or Moderator play a part as a SANS ambassador who assists conference staff and instructors with the following tasks:
- Conference set-up and break-down
- Registration
- Audio visual
- Signage
- Marketing
- Evaluation Processing
- Courseware preparation and distribution
- Classroom monitoring
- Evening session monitoring and evaluation
SANS Work Study Program includes:
- SANS In-Person or Live Online Training
- Related courseware materials
- Work with Certified Instructors and SANS Staff
- Vendor Lunch & Learns, Bonus Sessions, and other Special Events [if available]
- Opportunities to network with security professionals
- Free corresponding GIAC certification exam attempt [if available]
- OnDemand access to your course [if available]
Work Study FAQ
When and how do I know if I have been selected to facilitate?
What times are facilitators required to be at the conference?
Am I responsible for my travel and hotel accommodations?
You are responsible for all expenses incurred for your travel, transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals.
Facilitators will need to reserve their own hotel accommodations and forward the confirmation email to workstudy@sans.org to qualify for the FREE GIAC certification exam attempt. If you live locally or will be staying with family, you are exempt from this requirement.
NOTE: not all courses offer a GIAC exam attempt.
What does Room Monitoring involve?
Facilitators will serve as a room monitor for the course they are attending. Courses are assigned based on availability and as indicated on their application. As a room monitor, facilitators have four major duties:
- Instructor Assistant - Room monitors are to be available 15 minutes prior to the start of the course each day, and 15 minutes at the end of the day. This time is used to distribute materials and instructor/conference notes, and to be a point of contact for the instructor.
- Checking Badges - This is a very important task for room monitors in allowing only course attendees and SANS staff entrance into the classroom. This will also ensure that the attendee is in the right place, and if not, your redirection will help them get to the right room or to a SANS Staff member to answer questions you cannot.
- Serving as a point of contact for their classroom. - Room monitors are to promptly notify SANS staff should any issues arise in their classroom. (i.e., changes in room lighting or room temperature; Audio Visual (AV) equipment failure).
- Processing of Course Evaluations - Daily evaluations are distributed during the afternoon break and collected at the end of each day. Room monitors will compile the scores at the end of the day.
What does the courseware distribution center position involve?
What events do facilitators have access to at a live conference?
What additional tasks might a facilitator have onsite?
When do facilitators receive breaks?
Can I request early access to the OnDemand training?
Yes, an accepted facilitator who has completed payment for their invoice may send an email request to workstudy@sans.org to request access to the OnDemand course they have been selected for. Access will be for 4-months/120 days. The facilitator understands that this access will expire prior to their GIAC exam attempt which is uploaded to their account dashboard 7 days following the event.
OnDemand Disclaimer:
- Accepted Work Study Program facilitators understand that the courseware, OnDemand training, and certification co-relate and are not interchangeable.
- Accepted Work Study Program facilitators understand that SANS training materials are periodically updated.
- In order to provide facilitators with access to the OnDemand bundle prior to the training event, we risk the chance that the course material presented in OnDemand may not match exactly with what will be taught at the training event. The possible differences in course material between your OnDemand course and what will be presented at the training event cannot be pre-identified as some of our courses undergo extensive updates during an update cycle and some do not.
- The updated online version of the course is not released to the public until 7 days after the training event, when non-facilitators would receive their bundle access. Facilitators will not receive access to these course updates that are released in OnDemand. The timestamp of your "pre-access" locks you into the earlier version of the course.
- Although the OnDemand bundle is provided to facilitators at no extra charge, the bundles are not available for all SANS courses.
- The length of access to the OnDemand link is 4 months. OnDemand bundle access period begins the moment it issued to your SANS account.
- Your access can be extended beyond your original 4-months of access by purchasing an extension. You can purchase 30-day extensions to your course for $249. Due to periodic updates to our online training software, you are restricted from purchasing extensions beyond one year from your original date of access since your version of the course may not be compatible with our updated online training software.
- Due to periodic updates to our online training software, you are restricted from purchasing extensions beyond one year from your original date of access since your version of the course may not be compatible with our updated online training software.
- Visit https://www.sans.org/ondemand/faq for more information. Extension fees will apply.
What is the cost to attempt the proctored GIAC certification exam?
A GIAC Certification exam attempt when taken in conjunction with conference training is USD $769. Confirmed reservations at the conference-host hotel will result in the addition of the corresponding GIAC certification to your conference registration at no cost. The hotel's confirmation email forwarded to workstudy@sans.org will ensure that the exam attempt remains free of charge. Local residents or facilitators lodging with family or friends will also receive the exam free of charge. If the facilitator decides to lodge at another hotel, the cost of the exam attempt will apply.
The exam attempt will be available to practice and to schedule proctoring 7-10 days following the event. The Challenge Exam rate for alumni is USD $1,049.
Is there a level of knowledge and/or skill required to participate in the Work Study Program?
Knowledge and/or skills are useful in the classroom when instructors request your support. A positive cooperative attitude and willingness to be of service is even more important. An attitude of willingness and flexibility is appreciated from our facilitators as there are many tasks to be handled onsite at the conference.
Early registration, authorization, and review to the corresponding OnDemand online course will be of value to facilitators.
How many GIAC CMUs (Certification Maintenance Units) can I earn when I perform as a Work Study Program facilitator?
Cost
- 4, 5, or 6 Day courses: USD 2,500 or EUR 2,300 total plus VAT where applicable.
- 1, 2, or 3 Day courses and Summit: USD 417 per day or EUR 384 per day plus VAT where applicable.
- International tax may apply toward Australian and European tuition fees.
- NetWars Continuous, travel, lodging, and meals are not included in the work study fee.
- Payment from a Voucher account is not an acceptable form of payment.
- GIAC Candidates attempting the GSE will not be authorized to facilitate at the same event.
Guidelines Manual
Program Overview
Facilitator role supports In-Person Training:
- Assist SANS Staff with event setup activities, courseware preparation, daily wrap up activities, and other critical task assigned by event supervisor.
- Working closely with the course instructor
- Responsible for keeping classroom and instructor's equipment secure by prohibiting access to all unauthorized personnel.
- Communicate with the SANS support teams when help is needed.
- Facilitate Bonus Sessions as needed
- Responsible for distributing and processing evaluations.
- Assist in the tear down and pack up of course/event on the last day of your course.
Moderator role supports Live Online Training :
- Assist SANS staff with activities associated with virtual classroom setup, moderate student communications, assist with daily wrap up activities, and other critical task assigned by event supervisor.
- Monitor virtual training platforms
- Communicate with the SANS Support teams when help is needed.
- Responsible for distributing and processing evaluations.
Tentative report time:
In-Person Training :
Facilitators are expected to report to work a day before class starts. A typical start time for setup day is at 9 AM local time. Because SANS provides training in different regions of the world, the reporting time and day for setup could vary depending on the region the event is located. Specific reporting time and date is confirmed approximately 4 weeks before the event and SANS staff will communicate these details when ready.
Live Online Training :
Moderators are expected to review and complete the Online Moderator Training and be available 1 hour prior to start and end of class to help complete all the required startup and wrap up activities assigned by your event superviusors for each day.
Qualification
Leadership- Displays a cooperative, professional demeanor
- Able to direct others; works well with others, and is eager to serve
- Is pro-active in anticipating classroom needs
- Ambassador for SANS
- Able to follow instructor directions
- Dependable
- Actively and willingly participates in class without being disruptive
- Conscientious in securing instructor equipment and classroom by checking badges
- Thorough distribution, collection, and processing of daily evaluations
Application
The SANS Work Study Program receives applications daily for all scheduled training events. Opportunities at each event is based on specific event needs.
Click Apply now and complete the online application for each training events. Please be sure to complete the application thoroughly before submission, as incomplete applications may not be accepted.
CLICK HERE to Apply Now (Login Required)
GIAC Certification
A GIAC Certification exam attempt is not available for every course.
There is a cost to add the exam attempt when taken in conjunction with conference training. Confirmed reservations at the conference-hosted hotel will result in the addition of the corresponding GIAC certification to facilitator's conference registration. The hotel's reservation confirmation will ensure that the exam attempt can be added free of charge. Local residents or facilitators lodging with family or friends can also receive the exam inclusive on the registration invoice. Should the facilitator decide to lodge at a different location, the cost of the exam attempt will apply.
The exam attempt will be available to practice and to schedule proctoring 7-days following the event. Access is for 120 days/4 months before expiration. All GIAC Certification deadlines are displayed in Universal Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Extension charge will apply.
Monthly exam extensions are available for purchase should you wish to lengthen your access period beyond the standard deadline.
OnDemand
The OnDemand online training tool is not available for every course.
The OnDemand online training tool enables the facilitator to hone their knowledge of each learning objective and to fully prepare for the GIAC exams.
- As a learning tool - in providing information to better assist the instructor and the students
- As a support tool - should event duties temporarily take the facilitator out of the classroom environment, they will already have seen most of the material prior to the class
It is also our hope that a positive learning experience is gained through OnDemand to allow the sharing of the experience with other students at conference. For more information regarding OnDemand, visit: About SANS OnDemand
A facilitator can request early access to their OnDemand Bundle online course pre-event. 24-48 hours after Work Study payment is confirmed. To check if the job-based [4-6 day] course the facilitator is accepted to facilitate can be included in the registration, visit SANS OnDemand library.
Access is for 120 days/4 months before expiration. OnDemand deadlines are displayed in Universal Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Extension charge will apply.
OnDemand will include web-based courseware; course lectures and assessment tests presented one learning objective at a time, email access to our virtual mentor, and complimentary Self Study audio files. (Available in .mp3 or .mp4 format of a pre-recorded live session) Some of our technical courses also include hands-on exercises and labs.
- Accepted Work Study Program facilitators understand that the courseware, OnDemand training, and certification co-relate and are not interchangeable.
- Accepted Work Study Program facilitators understand that SANS training materials are periodically updated.
- In order to provide facilitators with access to the OnDemand bundle prior to the training event, we risk the chance that the course material presented in OnDemand may not match exactly with what will be taught at the training event. The possible differences in course material between your OnDemand course and what will be presented at the training event cannot be pre-identified as some of our courses undergo extensive updates during an update cycle and some do not.
- The updated online version of the course is not released to the public until 7 days after the training event, when non-facilitators would receive their bundle access. Facilitators will not receive access to these course updates that are released in OnDemand. The timestamp of your "pre-access" locks you into the earlier version of the course.
- Although the OnDemand bundle is provided to facilitators at no extra charge, the bundles are not available for all SANS Courses.
- The length of access to the OnDemand bundle is 4 months. Your OnDemand bundle access period begins the moment it issued to your SANS account. Monthly OnDemand extensions are available for purchase should you wish to lengthen your access period beyond the standard deadline.
Contact
Email: workstudy@sans.org
