Earn professional GIAC certifications as you complete the program.
Designed for working professionals with 100% online option available.
Median salary of $120,500 USD based on reported earnings from program graduates.
Designated by the NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
This program supports DoD cybersecurity workforce readiness.
Bridge offense and defense to improve security outcomes. Learn collaborative red and blue team techniques and apply them immediately to strengthen detection and response capabilities in your organization.
Purple Team Operations Skills You’ll Develop
Apply by the 15th of any month.
Receive a decision 30 days later.
Start courses as soon as one month after admission.
Discover why 99% of our graduates would recommend SANS.edu to their peers.
Our programs are packed with hands-on labs and include GIAC certifications that employers trust.
Learn the latest skills and techniques from the world's top cybersecurity practitioners.
Start when you want to and learn on a schedule that fits your life—with 100% online options.
Make connections with some of the most talented students and teachers in the industry.
Get personalized guidance from experienced success coaches who support you from enrollment to graduation.
Receive SANS.edu academic pricing on SANS courses and GIAC certifications.
“I firmly believe, had it not been for SANS, my career would not be what it is today. My SANS education has enabled me to compete on a completely new level and given me the chance to network with industry greats.”
In this hands-on program, you'll begin with a foundational course (ISE 5201), then progress through more advanced blue and red team electives, which may be taken in any order. The capstone course (ISE 6250) synthesizes your purple team knowledge and skills, culminating with a Defend-the-Flag challenge. This is the curriculum order for this program.
Students select one of the following. (After completing ISE 5201, students may take either the blue or red elective next.)
Students select one of the following. (After completing ISE 5201, students may take either the blue or red elective next.)
The Alumni Outcomes Report highlights how SANS Technology Institute graduates are launching and advancing cybersecurity careers with high satisfaction, strong ROI, and real-world impact.
SANS Technology Institute faculty members are rock stars of the cybersecurity field, with a broad base of expertise in government and industry. Their up-to-date examples and deep knowledge ensure what you learn in class is immediately applicable on the job.
Train with Brian Almond, SANS instructor and Presidio security leader, and build practical skills in threat hunting, AI security automation, detection engineering, and purple team operations through hands-on labs and real-world methodologies.
Learn more about Brian Almond
Train with Erik Van Buggenhout, SANS instructor and NVISO co-founder, and develop hands-on skills in purple teaming, adversary emulation, and detection engineering to continuously improve detection, response, and real-world cyber defense.
Learn more about Erik Van Buggenhout
Jorge Orchilles currently serves as a Senior Director at Verizon, where he leads the Readiness and Proactive Security Team. His team specializes in Exposure and Vulnerability Management, Penetration Testing, Red Team, Purple Team, and AI Red Team.
Learn more about Jorge Orchilles
Stephen Sims, an esteemed vulnerability researcher and exploit developer, has significantly advanced cybersecurity by authoring SANS's most advanced courses and co-authoring the "Gray Hat Hacking" series.
Learn more about Stephen SimsSANS.edu offers a career-focused cybersecurity education with a lot more flexibility and personalized support than you'll find in a "traditional" college. Join a free online info session to learn how our world-class programs can help you meet your cybersecurity career goals.
Your mind has no borders. Why should your college? Our online and in-person course options are designed to fit your life and how you like to learn.
Our most flexible online option gives you 24/7 access to courses recorded by top cybersecurity practitioners. You can rewind and repeat content, including hands-on labs, quizzes, and exercises.
Study from home—and save on travel and lodging expenses—through live, interactive scheduled online courses with SANS instructors and hands-on labs in a virtual environment.
Immersive weeklong courses are held across the country and around the world throughout the year. Meet fellow students and instructors and attend exclusive in-person events.
“SANS.edu's course material is delivered by best-in-breed instructors who are experts in their field. I had a SANS instructor who is industry-recognized as one of the top 10 experts in the world on penetration testing.”
“I looked into several programs. None could truly match SANS.edu’s real-world relevance and the quality of its instruction.”
“SANS is the Oxford of security studies, so expectations are naturally quite high. Living up to those is not a trivial accomplishment!”
“Having a SANS degree tells employers that you have what it takes to do the job. You have the hands-on experience to get the job done from day one. The SANS name truly opens doors.”
The SANS Technology Institute has been recognized as a global leader in cybersecurity education by Help Net Security, joining the ranks of top institutions like Stanford, MIT, Carnegie Mellon and Oxford.
“The CAE-CD designation is a testament to the quality of our cybersecurity faculty and programs. Our graduates are helping to meet the urgent cybersecurity needs of the U.S. government, industry, academia, and research, and we are proud to be part of a select group of cyber programs to have received this important designation.”
- Ed Skoudis, SANS Technology Institute President
If you're a Department of Defense (DoD) employee or contractor who wants to earn a career-focused cybersecurity degree or certificate, our DoD 8140-approved programs provide a pathway aligned with workforce requirements.
DoD 8140 establishes baseline standards for qualifications that directly support operational needs and workforce readiness. All DoD personnel assigned to positions requiring the performance of cyberspace work are affected by DoD 8140.
SANS.edu students delivered an exceptional performance in the Spring 2026 National Cyber League (NCL), earning the #1 Power Ranking in the Experienced division while fielding both the #1 team and #1 individual player in that division. With five students in the top 10 and three teams finishing in the top five, the results highlight the strength of SANS.edu’s hands-on, career-focused cybersecurity training.
Tuition includes the cost of the course, textbooks, and certification tests that serve as mid-term or final exams for courses.
Application Fee: $35 USD
Students who have taken SANS training classes and have active GIAC certifications may be able to waive one course and GIAC certification into the program.
Save on a master's: Eligible courses and GIAC certifications from this program can be applied to the our master's degree program saving you time and money.
Stack your credentials: After completing this program, you can enroll in another graduate certificate program within one year without submitting a full application.
A degree or certificate from SANS.edu is a great investment in your career. Explore funding options that can make your cybersecurity education more accessible.
Students pay tuition per course which allows you the financial flexibility to pay smaller amounts as you go.
Because we are regionally accredited, our tuition is eligible for most employer-sponsored education benefit programs.
All SANS.edu programs are eligible for US and Canadian Veterans Education Benefits.
Eligible students can spread out the cost of their degree or certificate program in monthly installments with no interest.
All SANS.edu programs are eligible for the education benefits available to US Federal Government employees.
529 College Savings Plan funds may be used to pay tuition for any SANS.edu cybersecurity degree or certificate program.
If you’d like to use a SANS Universal Voucher Account, confirm with your voucher administrator that course tuition is an eligible expense.
Explore funding options available to Canadian residents, including education benefits for Canadian veterans.
Explore independent cybersecurity scholarships administered outside of SANS.edu.
We’re happy to help. Join us for a free info session or request more information today.
