It is crucial that organisations have access to skilled, trained cyber security practitioners. However, it is no secret that there is a significant shortage of these talented professionals. In response to this challenge, SANS Institute (the owrlds largest and most trusted provider of cybersecurity training and certification) has developed Cyber Academy: a set of immersive training programmes, producing skilled cyber security practitioners, ready to be deployed into cyber security roles immediately after graduation. The Academy programme takes material from SANS’ top quality training courses and combines it with curated, practical modules, simulations and team exercises to immerse students in real-life situations, preparing them comprehensively for security roles.
In the beginning of 2022, SANS launched 16-week cybersecurity program designed for Australian Defence Force Veterans and their spouses. The Australian Veteran Cyber Academy is a fully funded training program aimed at encouraging new talent into the cybersecurity sector by providing the necessary experience and training to embark on a successful security career. The Academy draws on SANS Institute’s extensive experience in cybersecurity education and development, as well as the ongoing success of partner organisations such as Allectum and RCD, in supporting Australian veterans to transition into civilian IT careers.
The Australian Veteran Cyber Academy is delivered in stages:
ASSESS
Cyber Academy candidates’ skill level and suitability are rigorously analysed with SANS Cyber Aptitude: an intelligent and dynamic assessment tool, identifying those with the potential to succeed in a cyber security career. It measures a wide range of psychometric traits, significantly raising the conversion rate of people entering training and leaving as successful practitioners. SANS has drawn on decades of cyber security training and certification data to create an assessment tool that is proven and effective.
SELECT
Based on the results of the Aptitude Assessment phase, those demonstrating exceptional aptitude for cyber security are invited for an interview to determine their suitability for the programme. The tool has been specifically developed by SANS, drawing on traits and characteristics of our world class instructors and cyber security professionals, in order to assess and select those with the greatest chance of success in this field. The interview process ensures that those identified by the online tool are verified and that they are entirely committed to pursuing the Cyber Academy opportunity.
TRAIN
The Academy Programme collapses 2 years’ worth of cyber security training into an intense, highly-supported 16 week boot camp. The intensive Academy programme takes material from SANS’ top quality training courses and combines it with curated, practical modules, simulations and team exercises to immerse students in real-life situations, preparing them comprehensively for security roles.
CERTIFY
Cyber Academy graduates obtain internationally recognised GIAC certifications that demonstrate their practical capabilities and knowledge. These are based on examinations proctored at the Cyber Academy and align with the ANSI certified assessment body, GIAC. Graduates typically complete two major certifications: Such as GSEC (Security Essentials) and GCIH (Certified Incident Handler). Veteran Cyber Academy graduates typically achieve scores in their GIAC Certification exams that place them amongst the best performing students in the world.
DEPLOY
Once students graduate from the Cyber Academy they are ready to fill junior practitioner roles across a number of security disciplines such as:
• SOC analysis
• Penetration Testing
• Cybersecurity Consulting
• Security Research
• Cyber Incident Response
SANS Cyber Academy programmes are a proven and effective way to rapidly reskill members of the Veteran community for critically important, rewarding roles in cybersecurity. Graduates tell us that the programme has changed their lives. We believe that with their new hands-on cyer skills being used help protect and defend organisations from cyber threats, these ADF veterans will continue their important mission, right across our community.
To learn more about our 2022 Academy programme or to enquire about future programmes, contact ANZ@sans.org for information.
