SANS Cyber Defense Initiative 2026

SANS Cyber Defense Initiative 2026 is a conference dedicated to information security aspects.

SANS Cyber Defense Initiative 2026 covers topics in the following cyber security courses:

• New - FOR508: Advanced Incident Response, Threat Hunting, and Digital Forensics (GCFA) - Chad Tilbury
• New - SEC450: Blue Team Fundamentals: Security Operations and Analysis - John Hubbard
• SEC401: Security Essentials Bootcamp Style (GSEC) - Bryan Simon
• SEC301: Introduction to Cyber Security (GISF) - Keith Palmgren
• SEC455: SIEM Design & Implementation - John Hubbard
• SEC440: Critical Security Controls: Planning, Implementing, and Auditing - Randy Marchany
• SEC487: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Gathering and Analysis - Micah Hoffman
• SEC460: Enterprise Threat and Vulnerability Assessment - Matthew Toussain
• SEC503: Intrusion Detection In-Depth (GCIA) - David Hoelzer
• SEC501: Advanced Security Essentials - Enterprise Defender (GCED) - Paul A. Henry
• SEC505: Securing Windows and PowerShell Automation (GCWN) - Jason Fossen
• SEC504: Hacker Tools, Techniques, Exploits, and Incident Handling (GCIH) - Michael Murr
• SEC530: Defensible Security Architecture and Engineering (GDSA) - Ismael Valenzuela
• SEC511: Continuous Monitoring and Security Operations (GMON) - Eric Conrad
• SEC540: Cloud Security and DevOps Automation - Eric Johnson
• SEC534: Secure DevOps: A Practical Introduction - Ben Allen
• SEC545: Cloud Security Architecture and Operations - Dave Shackleford
• SEC542: Web App Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking (GWAPT) - Hassan El Hadary
• SEC560: Network Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking (GPEN) - Jeff McJunkin
• SEC555: SIEM with Tactical Analytics (GCDA) - Justin Henderson
• SEC566: Implementing and Auditing the Critical Security Controls - In-Depth (GCCC) - Brian Ventura
• SEC564: Red Team Exercises & Adversary Emulation - Jorge Orchilles
• SEC580: Metasploit Kung Fu for Enterprise Pen Testing - Jeff McJunkin
• SEC573: Automating Information Security with Python (GPYC) - Mark Baggett
• SEC660: Advanced Penetration Testing, Exploit Writing, and Ethical Hacking (GXPN) - Stephen Sims
• SEC599: Defeating Advanced Adversaries - Purple Team Tactics & Kill Chain Defenses (GDAT) - Bryce Galbraith
• FOR572: Advanced Network Forensics: Threat Hunting, Analysis, and Incident Response (GNFA) - Joshua Lemon, Philip Hagen
• FOR500: Windows Forensic Analysis (GCFE) - Ovie Carroll
• FOR585: Smartphone Forensic Analysis In-Depth (GASF) - Terrance Maguire
• FOR578: Cyber Threat Intelligence (GCTI) - Jake Williams
• MGT414: SANS Training Program for CISSP® Certification (GISP) - David R. Miller
• FOR610: Reverse-Engineering Malware: Malware Analysis Tools and Techniques (GREM) - Anuj Soni
• MGT433: SANS Security Awareness: How to Build, Maintain, and Measure a Mature Awareness Program (SSAP) - Lance Spitzner
• MGT415: A Practical Introduction to Cyber Security Risk Management - Russell Eubanks
• MGT514: Security Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership (GSTRT) - Frank Kim
• MGT512: Security Leadership Essentials For Managers (GSLC) - My-Ngoc Nguyen
• ICS410: ICS/SCADA Security Essentials (GICSP) - Justin Searle
• AUD507: Auditing & Monitoring Networks, Perimeters & Systems (GSNA) - Clay Risenhoover
• Beta - ICS612: ICS Cyber Security In-Depth - Jason Dely, Jeffrey Shearer, Tim Conway
• ICS515: ICS Active Defense and Incident Response (GRID) - Robert M. Lee
• Cyber Defense NetWars Tournament - Add-on (FREE with any 4-6 Day SANS Course Registration) - Eric Conrad
• Core NetWars Tournament - Add-on (FREE with any 4-6 Day SANS Course Registration) - Jeff McJunkin
• ICS Netwars - Add-on (FREE with any 4-6 Day SANS Course Registration) Jeffrey Shearer, Tim Conway
• DFIR NetWars Tournament - Add-on (FREE with any 4-6 Day SANS Course Registration) - Anuj Soni, Ovie Carroll