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The SANS Institute (officially the Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies) is a private U.S. for-profit company[1] founded in 1989 that specializes in information security, cybersecurity training, and selling certificates. Topics available for training include cyber and network defenses, penetration testing, incident response, digital forensics, and auditing.[2] The information security courses are developed through a consensus process involving administrators, security managers, and information security professionals. The courses cover security fundamentals and technical aspects of information security. The institute has been recognized for its training programs[3] and certification programs.[4] Per 2021, SANS is the world’s largest cybersecurity research and training organization.[5] SANS is an acronym for SysAdmin, Audit, Network, and Security.[6]
SANS sponsors several community resources including the Internet Storm Center, an internet monitoring system operated by volunteer security practitioners that provides analysis of emerging threats and has been recognized for identifying novel attack patterns[7]. The SANS Reading Room maintains an extensive archive of information security research documents that serves as a key resource for security professionals. SANS also co-founded the Center for Internet Security and provides cybersecurity news through various digital publications.
SANS offers news and analysis through Twitter feeds and e-mail newsletters. Additionally, there is a weekly news and vulnerability digest available to subscribers.[8]
Training
When originally organized in 1989,[9] SANS training events functioned like traditional technical conferences showcasing technical presentations. By the mid-1990s, SANS offered events which combined training with tradeshows. Beginning in 2006, SANS offered asynchronous online training (SANS OnDemand) and a virtual, synchronous classroom format (SANS vLive). Free webcasts and email newsletters (@Risk, Newsbites, Ouch!) have been developed in conjunction with security vendors. The actual content behind SANS training courses and training events remains "vendor-agnostic". Vendors cannot pay to offer their own official SANS course, although they can teach a SANS "hosted" event via sponsorship.
SANS training has evolved from traditional technical conferences to include asynchronous online training and virtual classrooms. The organization maintains a vendor-agnostic approach to content development. In 1999, SANS formed the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) program, which provides certifications that are consistently ranked among the most valuable in the cybersecurity industry[10]. The institute also developed NetWars, a cyberattack simulation platform used by U.S. military organizations including the Air Force and Army.
It has developed and operates NetWars, a suite of interactive learning tools for simulating scenarios such as cyberattacks. NetWars is in use by the US Air Force[11] and the US Army.[12][13]
Faculty
The majority of SANS faculty are not SANS employees, but industry professionals and experts in the field of information security.[14][15] The faculty is organized into six different levels: Mentors, Community, Certified Instructors, Principal Instructors, Senior Instructors, and Fellows.[16]
SANS Technology Institute focuses exclusively on cybersecurity, offering a Master of Science degree program in Information Security Engineering (MSISE), five post-baccalaureate certificate programs (Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking, Incident Response, Industrial Control Systems, Cyber Defense Operations, and Cybersecurity Engineering (Core), and an upper-division undergraduate certificate program (Applied Cybersecurity). SANS later launched a bachelor's degree program in Applied Cybersecurity as well.[18]
SANS continues to offer free security content via the SANS Technology Institute Leadership Lab[19] and IT/Security related leadership information.[20]
Courses & Certifications
SANS offers more than 85 cybersecurity courses covering topics such as penetration testing, incident response, cloud security, and digital forensics. The curriculum includes both technical training and security leadership education. GIAC certifications validate skills in specific security domains and are widely recognized for their rigor[21]and relevance to current security challenges.
Global Impact and Recognition
SANS maintains significant influence on international cybersecurity practices. The institute's curriculum aligns with the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework[22], and its training content addresses the core cybersecurity threats and priorities identified in official European Union cybersecurity frameworks.[23] The organization has been cited as a key solution to addressing the global cybersecurity skills gap[24], with its training programs helping to alleviate workforce shortages worldwide.
Criticism and Controversy
The SANS Institute has faced criticism regarding the high cost of its training programs and certifications, with public debates about their return on investment for individual professionals[25]. The ethical nature of some course content has also been questioned. For instance, courses covering "active defense" and "hack back" techniques have been noted to sit in a legal and ethical grey area[26]. In a notable incident that challenged the institute's security posture, SANS confirmed a 2020 data breach that compromised the personal information of thousands of users[27].
Awards Programs
SANS acknowledges the contributions made by exceptional information security professionals, through its annual awards programs.[28]
Difference Makers Awards (DMA) celebrates individuals or teams whose efforts and contributions have resulted in significant advancements in cybersecurity defense capabilities and who are contributing back to the information security community in ways that deserve recognition.[29][30]
Michael J. Assante ICS Security Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledges individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) on a global scale. Recipients are celebrated for their efforts to bridge the gap between IT and operational technology (OT), significantly enhancing awareness and implementations of cyber-secure ICS.[31][32]
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