Success Stories

SANS.edu Sentinels Excel at Fall 2025 NCL Competition

Facing off against more than 7,800 students and over 1,200 teams across the country, the SANS.edu Sentinels delivered another standout performance, confirming their reputation as leaders in collegiate cybersecurity.

#1 Power Ranking in the Experienced Student bracket
#1, #2, and #4 Individual Players in the Experienced Student bracket
#3 Team in the Experienced Student bracket
5 teams in the Top 100 of the Standard Student bracket
10 teams in the Top 100 of the Experienced Student bracket
30% of the Top 100 Individual Players were SANS.edu Sentinels in the Experienced Student bracket

Read the Press Release

Graduate Student Success Stories

Our graduate students are IT and cybersecurity professionals, advancing their expertise and careers through rigorous, industry-focused programs.

Christina Westfall

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Christina Westfall developed a passion for ethical hacking while working in IT support at a public school. As cyberattacks increasingly targeted schools and hospitals, her interest became personal. Inspired to protect vulnerable communities, she transitioned into cybersecurity and enrolled in SANS.edu’s master’s program to build the skills needed to make a real impact.

Brian Davidson

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering For his master’s degree research project, U.S. Marine veteran Brian Davidson created a first-of-its-kind human interface device firewall — a firewall between a keyboard and the computer — that is patent pending. Learn why Brian chose SANS.edu and how his education made him an increasingly valued asset to his employer.

Shawna Turner

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Shawna Turner earned a master's from SANS.edu while working full time at Nike, so online course options and the ability to adjust her schedule to her life needs were critical to her success. Discover how this former theater tech transformed herself into a cybersecurity subject matter expert.

Billy Wilson

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Flexibility and real-world hands-on experience were key when father of five Billy Wilson started looking at cybersecurity master's degree programs. See what he has to say about attending the SANS.edu master's program while working full time - and presenting a student project to the CISO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Carlota Bindner

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering After taking time away from the workforce to focus on family, Carlota Bindner found her way into cybersecurity through the SANS Women’s Cyber Academy, igniting a passion that led her to pursue a master’s degree at SANS.edu. Learn how Carlota is applying her knowledge to protect critical systems as a lead product security researcher at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Agnel D’Silva

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Chief Technology Officer Agnel D’Silva applied lessons from the SANS.edu master’s program directly to his city’s security strategy, showing the impact of hands-on cybersecurity education. He calls the experience “life-changing.”

Jeremiah Hainly

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering A natural introvert and self-described computer/gamer geek, Jeremiah Hainly knew that gaining up-to-the-minute cybersecurity knowledge could give him game-changing confidence. See why he chose SANS.edu and where the master's program took him.

Melissa Bischoping

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Melissa Bischoping works alongside some of the most brilliant minds in cybersecurity as Senior Director of Security & Product Design Research at Tanium. Learn about her career journey and why she chose to pursue a master’s degree at SANS.edu.

Jamy Casteel

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Jamy Casteel chose the SANS.edu master’s degree program to enhance both hands-on technical skills and soft skills to gain a competitive advantage for his career. Learn more about how this penetration testing expert and Vice President of Offensive Security at Kroll is protecting his clients’ important data from his rural Oklahoma town.

Megan Roddie

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Megan Roddie’s presentation of her well received master’s degree research paper Automating Google Workspace Incident Response at the SANS DFIR Summit led to an invitation to join the authors of the popular SANS course FOR509: Enterprise Cloud Forensics and Incident Response as a co-author. Her work developing labs for the course gives students realistic, practical hands-on experiences that allow them to approach real-life incidents more effectively.

Karim Lalji

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Karim Lalji, Senior Manager and North America Penetration Testing Lead for Accenture, considered other cybersecurity master's programs, but found them too theoretical. He chose SANS.edu because it was the "gold standard," but was still blown away by the depth of knowledge provided. Learn more about Karim's story.

Richard “Rick” Halsell Jr.

Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Engineering Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Leadership Richard “Rick“ Halsell Jr. defended the Army against network breaches and today is Principal Security Program Manager at Microsoft. Learn about his career journey and see why this master's degree holder chose to pursue 2 graduate certificates at SANS.edu.

Jeff Sass

Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Engineering Graduate Certificate in Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking Graduate Certificate in Incident Response Video gaming was the start of what would lead to Jeff Sass's decades-long career at Adobe. Discover why he chose to pursue 3 graduate certificates at SANS.edu — and how the experience helped him win promotions first to manager, then director.

Jessica Stainer

Graduate Certificate in Incident Response Digital forensics examiner Jessica Stainer pursued a graduate certificate in Incident Response at SANS.edu to gain hands-on skills her theory-based master’s degree didn’t provide. Along the way, she found her online courses so interesting and engaging that they didn’t seem like school.

Christopher Haller

Graduate Certificate in Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking Christopher Haller beat out more than 6,000 competitors to earn the #1 individual player ranking in the Spring 2022 National Cyber League competition. See why he chose to pursue a graduate certificate at SANS.edu — and learn about his career path from the US Navy to his current role as Principal Security Consultant at Omada Technologies.

Joseph Carrigan

Graduate Certificate in Cloud Security Graduate Certificate in Incident Response Graduate Certificate in Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking After working in Army intelligence and DoD forensics, Joseph Carrigan completed three SANS.edu graduate certificates and became AIG’s Lead Content Engineer for their SIEM solution. Learn how hands-on labs, GIAC certifications, and GI Bill® funding fueled his journey.

Queen Brown

Graduate Certificate in Cloud Security From Air Force intelligence analyst to Google Cloud Security Engineer—see how the SANS.edu Graduate Certificate in Cloud Security helped Queen Brown bridge the gap with job-ready skills.

Ryan Van Den Heuvel

Graduate Certificate in Industrial Control Systems Security Graduate Certificate in Cyber Defense Operations Ryan Van Den Heuvel, an ICS/OT Cyber Security Researcher at Idaho National Laboratory, protects critical infrastructure by developing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions. Learn how his drive for innovative problem-solving led him to earn a Graduate Certificate in Industrial Control Systems Security from SANS.edu and receive the Assante Scholar Award for his outstanding contributions to the field.

Danil Karandin

Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Graduate Certificate in Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking Danil Karandin’s journey from Western Siberia to the U.S. Army and ultimately to his role as Lead Purple Team Engineer at Gartner, Inc., reflects his lifelong passion for technology, innovation, and cybersecurity. Discover how his pursuit of advanced degrees and certificates from the SANS Technology Institute significantly impacted his career trajectory and opportunities.

Undergraduate Student Success Stories

Our undergraduate programs attract students of all ages, from college transfers and associate degree graduates to career changers and industry professionals with prior college credits.

Noah Pack

Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Noah Pack turned a middle school fascination with Mr. Robot into a full-time career in penetration testing. Discover how he made the leap from fan to professional — and earned 9 GIAC certifications — through the SANS.edu bachelor’s degree program.

Rachel Downs

Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Rachel Downs’ cybersecurity journey started in the UK’s Ministry of Defense, where she worked in various cyber-adjacent roles. Discover how the SANS.edu bachelor's degree program fueled her passion for the field and led to her to receive multiple job offers before she finished the program.

Keegan Hamlin

Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Keegan Hamlin’s career shift from aircraft maintenance to Cyber Warfare Operations for the U.S. Air Force exemplifies the power adaptability and continuous learning. Discover how earning a bachelor's degree from SANS.edu equipped him with advanced skills and confidence to excel in defending national interests.

Leah Kaplan

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Leah Kaplan's journey to cybersecurity started with a video game and grew into a passion for solving real-world problems. Learn how her experience at SANS.edu equipped her with hands-on technical skills and inspired her to build accessible resources for newcomers in the field.

James Childers

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate in Incident Response Graduate Certificate in Cyber Defense Operations U.S. Army veteran James Childers filled out an application to the SANS Technology Institute the day he discovered the GI Bill® would cover his SANS.edu tuition costs. Learn how the multiple certificates and GIAC certifications James earned at SANS.edu prepared him to become vice president of Cyber Detection and Response at City National Bank. “I am not exaggerating when I say SANS.edu changed my life.”

Fritz Villanueva

Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Fritz Villanueva, a bachelor’s student at SANS.edu, found his passion in cybersecurity after a decade as a nurse. Learn how this father of five secured an exciting new job as a threat hunter for Scotiabank while he was completing his bachelor’s degree.

Lori Brum

Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Lori Brumm says that working with Internet Storm Center director Dr. Johannes Ullrich was one of the most valuable parts of her internship as a bachelor’s student at SANS.edu. She chose to pursue her bachelor’s degree at SANS.edu to gain a strong competitive advantage in the job market — and because the online options gave this busy mother of three the flexibility she needed to succeed.

James Turner

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Master of Science in Information Security Engineering James Turner’s journey from electrician to an Industrial Control Systems/Operational Technology solution architect underscores the significance of lifelong education. Discover why this Assante Scholar Award winner chose to earn an Applied Cybersecurity Certificate from the SANS Technology Institute — followed by bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SANS.edu.

Kaela Manger

Bachelor's Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Kaela Manger’s passion for technology and making a difference led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Applied Cybersecurity at SANS.edu. With real-world training and GIAC certifications, she’s gained the skills to excel in a competitive industry. Learn how Kaela is advancing her cybersecurity career while mentoring others and get her advice for future cyber professionals.

Jesse LaGrew

Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Master of Science in Information Security Engineering Jesse LaGrew wanted a bachelor’s degree that would strengthen his cybersecurity skillset and advance his career. He chose SANS.edu because the program included 9 GIAC certifications and he knew that securing industry certifications was particularly important in an ever-changing profession.

Riché Wiley

Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity From EMT and ranch hand to cybersecurity specialist at a global firm, Riché Wiley proves there’s more than one route into cyber. Learn how she found skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging through the SANS.edu bachelor’s program and Career Center.

Will Green

Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Will Green's talent for cybersecurity capture the flag (CTF) competitions earned him a place on the US Cyber Team. Discover how Will’s education at SANS.edu helped him stand out in global competitions and learn his advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.

Christy McSweeney

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Christy McSweeney, a SANS.edu Applied Cybersecurity Certificate graduate, built a rewarding career in cybersecurity after pivoting from healthcare. Now thriving in her field, she shares her journey to encourage others.

Jordan Wolfe

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity After serving in the Marine Corps, Jordan Wolfe set his sights on a new mission — cybersecurity. Explore how the SANS.edu Applied Cybersecurity Certificate program gave him the skills and confidence to defend organizations and create a safer digital world.

Bianca Reynolds

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Learn how SANS.edu’s Applied Cybersecurity Certificate program helped Bianca Reynolds fill key knowledge gaps, earn GIAC certifications, and secure a promotion to Tier 3 SOC analyst — just one month after graduating.

Eunice Park

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Eunice Park wanted to enter the cybersecurity field without pursuing another degree or attending a bootcamp that lacked certifications. Discover her inspiring journey from the fashion industry to becoming an IT Cybersecurity Specialist with U.S. Space Command.

Jake Danuser

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Jake Danuser looked at 50 different schools before selecting SANS.edu for its stellar reputation, GIAC certifications, and positive return on investment. Explore Jake’s story and discover how he “made enough salary gains to pay for the program twice.”

Loveona Jones

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Loveona Jones completed the SANS.edu Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity during her senior year at a different college. Learn how this Cyber FastTrack scholarship winner got her start in cybersecurity and won prestigious internships with the U.S. State Department and a Fortune 500 company.

Tin Nguyen

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Tin Nguyen’s professional journey has taken him from the United States Marines to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to the helm of a Vietnam-based cybersecurity company. Learn how this graduate of the Undergraduate Certificate program in Applied Cybersecurity led the response and recovery efforts for one of the greatest crypto hacks in history.

Michelle Porter

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Michelle Porter beat out more than 10,000 applicants to earn one of 20 spots in Deloitte's inaugural Cyber Career Accelerator Program. She credits her success to the SANS.edu cybersecurity certificate program, saying she made a solid return on investment in "experience, industry connections, and earnings." Learn how this former music education major made the leap to cybersecurity.

Cody Williams

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Cody Williams completed the SANS.edu Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity in just under a year and landed his first cybersecurity job before completing the program. See why Cody thinks there's a place for everybody in cybersecurity, particularly for those who fear having a boring desk job.

Cathy Sowa

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate in Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking Cathy Sowa made a mid-career change to cybersecurity. Learn how this former middle school teacher and adjunct professor gained the skills and confidence to enter the cybersecurity field.

Anthony Messina

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity Anthony Messina completed the SANS.edu Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity after earning a bachelor’s in information technology. Learn about his journey from the Marine Corps to a career as a security analyst — and discover why he recommends the security analyst career path to anyone who wants to be on the front line of cybersecurity.

Patrick Seibert

Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Fundamentals Bachelor's Degree in Applied Cybersecurity Inspired by Hackers and The Hacker's Manifesto, Patrick Seibert discovered his interest in cybersecurity at an early age. Now he plans to combine hands-on technical skills with a future law degree to shape cybersecurity policies. Explore why Patrick recommends the Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.

Darko Darkov

Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Fundamentals Meet Darko Darkov, one of the first graduates of SANS.edu’s Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate (CFS) program. Learn how the program helped him build technical skills and confidence for a successful career shift from law enforcement to cybersecurity.

Explore the Data Behind Our Graduates’ Success

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.

Read the Report

Meet the First Paller Scholars

The first cohort Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship winners exemplify the mission of our scholarship program to identify exceptionally talented international students (non-US citizens) who are committed to making the world a safer place through cybersecurity. Each of the Paller Scholars selected in January 2024 was awarded a full scholarship to a SANS Technology Institute graduate program.

Catalin Bejan

Romania Initially drawn to cybersecurity by hacker films, cybersecurity analyst Catalin Bejan looks forward to gaining leadership and advanced technical skills, as well as 9 GIAC certifications, as a Paller Scholar.

Akin Bello

Nigeria Security Analyst Akin Bello, who aims to hone both the soft skills and hands-on skills required for success in cybersecurity, is excited about learning from diverse perspectives and mentoring emerging talent.

Michał Bełzak

Poland Pen tester and red teamer Michał Bełzak pursued the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship for the chance to get a top-tier education, challenge himself, and prepare to make contributions in research and education.

Ana Maria Bogdan

Romania Cyber Risk and Security Manager Ana Maria Bogdan seeks to make meaningful contributions to cybersecurity research and to support others in entering, transitioning within, or advancing their careers in cybersecurity.

Vivian Boisabi

Kenya Application Security Specialist Vivian Boisabi became a Paller Scholar to enhance her skills in ethical hacking, risk management, and advanced cybersecurity techniques to protect global cyber infrastructures.

Mark Lester Dampios

Philippines Pen tester Mark Lester Dampios aspires to excel in presentations, ensuring his audience fully comprehends his ideas, and to share cybersecurity knowledge both locally and internationally.

Ruta Punka

Latvia Information Security Specialist Ruta Punka transitioned to cybersecurity from a career in law and became a Paller Scholar because she values diversity, continuous learning, and a shared commitment to making a positive impact.

Elena Revzina

Latvia Cybersecurity Engineer Elena Revzina pursued a Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship to refine her analytical skills and deepen her expertise in threat analysis.

Our Grads Get Hired

Our alumni work for organizations large and small, including Fortune 500 companies, military and government organizations, and leading cybersecurity firms. Here are just a few.

Adobe	Discover Financial Services	Northrop Grumman
Akamai	Epic	OpenSecurity
Amazon	Expel	Oracle
Apple Inc	EY	PwC
Artic Wolf Networks	Facebook	Raytheon
Bank of America	FireEye	Red Canary
Blizzard Entertainment	IBM	Rendition Infosec
Boeing	Jigsaw Google	RSA
Booz Allen Hamilton	JHU/APL	SAIC
Capital One	JPMorgan Chase	Salesforce
Cisco	KBR	Sandia National Laboratories
Coalfire	Mantech	SixGen
Coretelligent	Mastercard	Symantec
CrowdStrike	Microsoft	Verizon
Deloitte	MITRE	Walmart
Dragos	NIST	Wells Fargo Bank

Secure Your Future

The SANS Technology Institute offers career-focused master’s degree, graduate certificate, bachelor’s degree and undergraduate certificate programs on the cutting edge of cybersecurity.

Need more information? We’re happy to answer your questions. Join us for an info session, email info@sans.edu or call 301.241.7665.

Ready to apply? We look forward to learning about you and your cybersecurity career goals.

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