SANS Institute

Quick story: I am quite possibly the biggest Star Wars fan on the planet. I spent a long time planning how my twins would experience Star Wars. Before my kids could experience the movies (the right order, perfect cadence), my neighbor casually drops the bomb... (spoiler alert!) that Darth Vader is Luke's father. I freely admit to some dark side thoughts toward this guy. May have disowned him. Several times. But if you have the incredible fortune of life handing you boy girl twins, the Luke Leia parallels technically make me Darth Vader in this scenario. The team at SANS gave me a Vader helmet signed by David Prowse at the 10th anniversary DFIR Summit. Best gift ever. Looking forward to seeing security peers and friends who would actually get how much of a crisis this was at the SANS Institute AI Cybersecurity Summit in April.

🚀 Ready to boost your cybersecurity career? The 2026 Winter SANS Cyber Solutions Fest is your gateway to cutting-edge insights & invaluable connections. Secure your spot now & join us Live Online February 11 & 12 to be part of a global community shaping tomorrow’s cyber landscape! Tracks Available: 🏦 Finance/Banking 🩺 Healthcare ⚙️Utilities/Critical Infrastructure Learn more and register here: https://go.sans.org/oHQsnd #SANSCyberSolutionsFest #Finance #Healthcare #CriticalInfrastructure

Every breach has a cost. But the most expensive ones? They happen where training was weakest. Employee training isn’t a line item, it’s a defensive asset. SANS Surge helps organizations build habits, not just checkboxes. Because the right decision in the moment is priceless. 🔗 Learn more and register to join us in La Jolla, CA in a few short weeks: https://go.sans.org/ykwPJ9 #SANSSurge #SANSLiveTraining

🎄🎉 The Grand Finale is TOMORROW! Join the SANS Holiday Hack Challenge Closing Ceremony to unwrap the winners, discover clever writeups, and toast to a community of merry hackers. 🎁 Don’t miss the holiday magic: https://go.sans.org/mojgdv #HolidayHack #HolidayHackChallenge

🔐 Considering a move into cybersecurity but unsure where to start? The SANS Cyber Academy United States is built as a structured on-ramp into entry-level cyber roles. The program starts with foundational training and progresses intentionally, so learners build skills in sequence rather than trying to piece things together on their own. As participants advance, they also gain access to career services support, including resume review and interview preparation, to help connect training outcomes to real hiring conversations. If you or someone in your network is exploring a cybersecurity career path, this is a strong place to start. 🎯 Apply here: https://go.sans.org/HnWgBE Applications close February 13, 2026 at 10 am ET

Checking the box ≠ managing human risk. ☑️ If success still looks like "everyone completed training," most programs haven’t moved beyond stage 2 compliance. In this video, Lance Spitzner explains why identifying real human risks and behaviors, not just running activities, is the foundation of security culture. 📘 Download the 2026 SANS Security Awareness & Culture Maturity Model™ to see where your program truly sits and what comes next. https://go.sans.org/qCNabT #SecurityLeadership #HumanRisk #SecurityAwareness

Step into the executive seat during a real-world cyber crisis. The WiCyS SANS Institute Executive Cybersecurity Exercise (RSAC 2026) is a 90-minute, immersive simulation designed for senior leaders who are responsible for guiding their organizations through high-stakes cyber incidents. Led by SANS experts, this exercise focuses on strategic decision-making, crisis leadership, and the importance of a well-rehearsed cyber response plan—all within a safe, realistic environment. Participants will: • Assess organizational readiness during a cyber crisis • Apply industry best practices in cybersecurity and crisis communications • Explore emerging trends in cybercrime • Earn 2 CPE credits 📅 Applications open January 29 and close February 26 at 4 p.m. CT 📍 Exercise takes place March 23 (RSAC 2026) 🔒 Open to senior-level managers (CISO, CIO, Deputy CISO, VPs, Directors of InfoSec). This executive experience is by invitation only and tied to in-person attendance at the WiCyS 2026 Conference. If you meet the requirements and haven’t received an invite by Feb. 5, contact adaeze@wicys.org #WiCyS #SANS #ExecutiveLeadership #CyberCrisis #RSAC2026 #WomenInCyber #CybersecurityLeadership

SANS Principal Instructor My-Ngoc "Menop" Nguyen outlines what to expect at SANS Surge 2026, including hands-on learning, practitioner-led sessions, and skills you can apply immediately. Register for SANS Surge (Feb. 23-28, 2026) today: https://go.sans.org/ykwPJ9 #SANSSurge #SANSLiveTraining