SANS
SANS Institute
The SANS Institute is one of the best-known private institutions for training and research in information security. It offers practice-oriented courses and certifications, publishes widely used guidelines and operates active situational monitoring with the Internet Storm Center. Unlike the governmental bodies it is a commercial but professionally respected actor.
History & facts. Over decades SANS has established itself as a reference for application-oriented security training; the associated GIAC certifications are regarded in many roles as a demanding proof of practical skills. Through the Internet Storm Center and numerous freely available resources, SANS also contributes to broader situational monitoring and knowledge dissemination.
Outlook & recommendation. The acute skills shortage makes structured training a strategic factor — technology without competent people remains ineffective. For organisations it is relevant that solid training and lived processes create more security than the next tool. Sources such as the Internet Storm Center are also a useful, vendor-independent complement to one's own situational monitoring.