SANS.edu Success Stories

Q: What’s your role at your current job?

A: I’m a Cybersecurity Specialist at IA Interior Architects; a global firm headquartered in San Francisco. I work out of the Raleigh, NC area. My role is pretty broad — I handle incident response, data loss prevention, security policy development, compliance, risk management, and auditing. The list could go on, but I will stop here. Recently, I helped lead a complete rebuild of our security program from the ground up. I’ve also been tasked with building a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) enclave to help with our efforts to start pursuing federal contracts. 

Q: How did you get interested in cybersecurity?

A: I’ve been drawn to technology since high school. In my 30s, I decided it was time to go back to school and started exploring associate degree programs in IT. During my time at Guilford Technical Community College, I was introduced to FTK, a forensic analysis toolkit, through a forensics capstone course. It completely blew my mind at just how much there is to uncover in the world of digital forensics. I was hooked.

Q: What was your educational experience before joining SANS.edu? 

A:  I attended a residential STEM high school and started college right after but had to withdraw for 15 years because my dad got sick. Over the years, I worked in pharmacy, as an EMT, on a ranch, and even managed bar at a craft beer restaurant with 100 draft taps. Eventually, I decided I’d waited long enough and wanted to give school another shot. I enrolled in an associate IT program at Guilford Tech, and that’s where my journey back into technology really began.

Q: How did you find out about the SANS Technology Institute?

A: I kept hearing about SANS.edu in textbooks and from my community college instructors — it was always mentioned as the gold standard in cybersecurity training. At first, I had given up on finding a bachelor’s program that was flexible enough for my life as a full-time employee and caregiver. But when I started looking into SANS.edu for certifications, I realized they also offered a bachelor’s degree program. It was a total fluke that I found it, but it changed everything. 

Q: Why did you choose to enroll in the SANS.edu program? 

A: I didn’t want to sacrifice quality for flexibility, and SANS was the only program that offered both. I needed something that worked with my schedule as a full-time employee and caregiver, but I also wanted a top-tier education. SANS gave me that — and more.

Q: What do you think was most valuable about the SANS.edu bachelor’s program?

A: Honestly, I don’t know if I could pick just one thing — the whole program was incredible. The courses were so much more in-depth and up-to-date than anything I’d seen at community or state colleges. The labs were modern and hands-on, and the instructors were all active professionals who were passionate about what they taught.

Q: What did you like most about the program?

A: The flexibility was a game-changer. I could take most of my courses on-demand and even attend in-person classes at SANS summits for the same cost. I attended the OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) and DFIR (Digital Forensics and Incidence Response) Summits, which gave me access to additional free educational resources and amazing networking opportunities. I even found my volunteer opportunity with Skull Games through the OSINT Summit. Plus, the quality of education, the support from advisors, and the career center were all top-notch.

Q: From your research, what differentiated SANS.edu from other programs of its kind?

A: SANS stood out in every way. The course materials are updated every six months, the labs are hands-on and relevant, and the scheduling is incredibly flexible. You get access to summits, internships, and instructors who are actively working in the field. Plus, the advisory and career services are unmatched. Other programs just didn’t offer that level of support or quality.

Q: Can you tell me about your experience collaborating with your advisor?

A: My advisor, Jessica Houston, was a rockstar. She checked in regularly, answered all my questions, and reminded me I was capable — even when I hit a wall. She genuinely cared about my success and even checked in on my dad. I’ve never seen that kind of support in other programs. 

Q: Can you tell me about your experience working with the SANS.edu Career Center?

A: Erin Sherrill at the SANS Career Center was amazing. She helped me with my resume, job applications, and breaking down job listings. I’d never used a resume to get a job before, so her guidance was crucial. She helped me overcome imposter syndrome and feel confident stepping into the cybersecurity world.

Q: How did your SANS.edu education impact your career trajectory?

A: It completely changed my career. I had never worked in IT before joining my current company. When I started the SANS program, my supervisors recognized the quality of the education and saw a shift in my understanding. By the time I graduated, they offered me a cybersecurity position based almost entirely on my SANS education. Without it, I’d still be in an IT support role.

Q: What's your advice for someone who's considering the SANS.edu bachelor's program?

A: Understand everything SANS.edu offers before deciding on which program you will pursue. There’s so much value here — from the education to the networking to the career support. It’s especially empowering for people like me — women, career changers, and those who’ve been out of school for a while. It’s hard, but it’s doable, and it will absolutely change your career prospects and confidence.

Q: What's next for Riché Wiley?

A: I want to keep learning and growing in this field since I’m in a position to keep my hands in so many different pots right now. My next big goal is to dive deeper into enterprise networking and infrastructure and pursue a graduate certificate in incident response with SANS.edu within the next two years.

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