Surprising fact: Over one in four breaches stem from gaps in basic controls — proving why strong, hands-on training is essential.
Founded in the U.S. in 1989, SANS Institute blends decades of expertise with practitioner-led instruction, consensus-built curricula, and real-world labs. We are the go-to partner for professionals and teams who need measurable outcomes.
What sets us apart: scale, research-backed content, and results that lift defenses globally.
We serve defenders, leaders, and security teams with vendor-agnostic courses that tie information security theory directly to threat-informed practice.
Our promise: elevate skills, reduce risk, and strengthen resilience through expert-led learning aligned with real job roles and evolving threats.
We close skill gaps fast. Decades of practical experience and practitioner instructors ensure training translates directly to on-the-job performance.
Instructors are active practitioners, bringing daily tradecraft into the classroom.
Vendor-neutral, community-vetted, and relevant to real operations.
Threat-informed courses, updated continuously, scaled worldwide.
Flexible formats to fit every schedule and team structure.
Instructor-led sessions with labs, chat, and Q&A — replicating in-room engagement globally.
Self-paced access to full courses with instructor-created labs.
Hands-on, competitive simulations that validate skills in realistic attack/defense scenarios.
| Format | Best for | Features | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person | Teams needing deep focus | Labs, coaching, networking | Small–large cohorts |
| Live online | Distributed teams/individuals | Labs, chat, Q&A | Single–enterprise |
| OnDemand | Busy professionals | Asynchronous access, full labs | Individual |
| NetWars | Skill validation | Cyber ranges, scenarios | Individual–enterprise |
Each lab-first course builds role-ready skills for defenders, testers, and leaders.
SEC401 and ICS410 cover fundamentals: networks, host hardening, detection, and risk context.
SEC560/SEC588 focus on adversary emulation, exploit practice, and reporting.
SEC504/FOR508 emphasize scoping incidents, forensic analysis, and playbooks.
SEC540/SEC588 bridge cloud-native automation with traditional defenses.
| Role | Course | Hands-on Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Defender | SEC401 / ICS410 | Hardening, detection |
| SOC Analyst | SEC504 | Incident handling, threat hunting |
| Pen Tester | SEC560 / SEC588 | Exploitation, emulation |
| DFIR Specialist | FOR508 | Forensics, response |
| Cloud/DevSecOps | SEC540 / SEC510 | Automation, pipelines |
GIAC, founded in 1999, offers 50+ rigorous certifications that prove practitioner-level skill under pressure.
Regionally accredited bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate programs combine labs, research, and career-focused coursework.
| Program | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | Foundations + labs | Early career |
| Master’s | Research + leadership | Experienced practitioners |
| Graduate Certificates | Targeted upskilling | Focused professionals |
Our Reading Room, newsletters, and Internet Storm Center provide real-time intelligence and community-driven defense insights.
| Resource | Purpose | Action | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Room | Peer-reviewed papers | Adopt playbooks | Practical guidance |
| Webcasts/News | Timely updates | Prioritize patches | Reduced noise |
| Internet Storm Center | Global telemetry | Early warnings | Faster response |
Training mapped to operations reduces exposure, speeds response, and strengthens security culture.
Pick a learning path aligned to your role — and achieve measurable outcomes. With 85+ hands-on courses, GIAC certifications, and academic programs, SANS transforms training into real-world defense.
In-person, live online, OnDemand, and NetWars cyber ranges.
Blue team, red team, DFIR, cloud, and essentials — all role-aligned with labs.
GIAC offers 50+ rigorous, hands-on credentials mapped directly to courses.