SANS Institute Pledges To Train Veterans For Cybersecurity Jobs At White House Joining Forces Event

BETHESDA, Md., May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SANS Institute, the world's leading provider of cybersecurity training and certification, has announced that the company will participate in the White House Joining Forces Initiative. Today at a White House ceremony, SANS pledged to train a minimum of 200 transitioning veterans over the next four years through its VetSuccess program. The company and its corporate partners will cover the approximate $4 million in training fees and expenses.  SANS was among more than 50 technology companies recognized at the White House for making commitments to hire or train veterans and military spouses. 

Joining Forces is a nationwide initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden calling on all Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities. Joining Forces works hand in hand with the public and private sectors to ensure service members, veterans, and their families have the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives.

The SANS VetSuccess Immersion Academy is a three- to four-month accelerated cybersecurity training program that provides U.S. military veterans with advanced technical training, industry-recognized certifications and the elite hands-on skills sought by world-class employers. The Academy is 100 percent scholarship based, and includes two to three SANS training courses taught by expert faculty as well as the associated Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). Graduates gain immediate access to VetSuccess partner companies ― global leaders in the cybersecurity industry seeking top talent to fill critical jobs. The training scholarships are valued at up to $30,000 for each qualified participant.

"It is our honor to partner with the White House Joining Forces Initiative to reduce the number of veterans who find themselves unemployed after selflessly serving our country," said Alan Paller, Director of Research, SANS Institute. "Our VetSuccess Academy reflects our deep commitment to supporting our nation's transitioning military ― today's pledge will grow the program significantly beyond its current size."

"Completing the SANS VetSuccess Academy not only influenced my career plans, it defined them," said Ed Russell, Security Analyst I, Solutionary, retired USAF SMSgt.  "The education and certifications opened doors that were inaccessible to me otherwise, short of winning the lottery.  In fact, being selected into the inaugural cohort was a 'hitting the jackpot' moment for me."

Added Paller, "At SANS, we believe that veterans are uniquely suited for cybersecurity jobs.  Their training, discipline, and integrity provide an essential foundation for developing the skills and knowledge that cybersecurity demands.  Our program is designed to tap into those qualities and create a win-win situation for veterans seeking high-paying jobs in a thriving field and global businesses and government agencies pursuing a pipeline of top cyber talent."

For more information about the SANS Institute's VetSuccess program, transitioning veterans can visit www.sans.org/cybertalent.

About SANS Institute
The SANS Institute was established in 1989 as a cooperative research and education organization. SANS is the most trusted and, by far, the largest provider of training and certification to professionals at governments and commercial institutions world-wide. Renowned SANS instructors teach over 50 different courses at more than 200 live cybersecurity training events as well as online. GIAC, an affiliate of the SANS Institute, validates employee qualifications via 30 hands-on, technical certifications in information security. The SANS Technology Institute, a regionally accredited independent subsidiary, offers master's degrees in cybersecurity. SANS offers a myriad of free resources to the InfoSec community including consensus projects, research reports, and newsletters; it also operates the Internet's early warning system--the Internet Storm Center. At the heart of SANS are the many security practitioners, representing varied global organizations from corporations to universities, working together to help the entire information security community. (www.SANS.org)

SOURCE SANS Institute

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