As cyberattacks continue to grow in frequency and severity, businesses have begun to see the value in having a proactive security team. Two of those live, in-person training events— SANS San Antonio and SANS Offensive Operations East — are designed to meet this immediate demand. Save the dates for August 4-9, 2025 and June 8-14, 2025! Each of these events will arm you with the skills and knowledge necessary to enhance your cybersecurity defenses.
This course is led by Jon Gorenflo, a Principal Instructor at SANS. It helps convert attacker intelligence into tactical benefits for enterprises. As cyber threats continue to increase, it is more important than ever to know the techniques attackers are using in order to develop better defensive strategies.
The Growing Cybersecurity Landscape
The cybersecurity landscape looks entirely different than it did just a few years ago. Cyber attacks Cyberattacks are not just growing in number, but in sophistication as well. Too many organizations continue to make security tools and compliance security standards their first line of defense. It is a key takeaway from the recently-released SANS GIAC 2025 Cyber Workforce Research Report. In fact, more than half – 52% – of surveyed security leaders cite the shortage of skilled professionals as their greatest obstacle.
This is a worrisome skills gap considering the wave of new entrants to the field as our current practitioners age out. Global staffing shortages have led many organizations to bring on staff with limited experience. While millions of new practitioners are joining the cybersecurity workforce, many still require further training to meet the specific needs of their organizations.
Training Opportunities at SANS Events
Both SANS San Antonio and SANS Offensive Operations East offer vital training opportunities that can go a long way in closing this skills gap. The SEC560: Enterprise Penetration Testing course plays a pivotal role in equipping professionals with the knowledge necessary to understand and counter cyber threats effectively.
NTI fellow Jon Gorenflo will guide participants through an engaging curriculum that focuses on practical, real-world applications. Attendees will take part in realistic hands-on exercises that replicate real world attack scenarios. This practical approach allows security teams to develop a deeper understanding of vulnerabilities and how to exploit them ethically for defensive purposes.
As attacks become more sophisticated, security professionals must be a step ahead of the threats that arise. Attendees will take home invaluable information by attending these two training events. They are better able to directly apply this knowledge within their organizations to improve security postures.
Addressing the Skills Gap
The SANS GIAC 2025 Cyber Workforce Research Report highlights that security leaders consistently face challenges in sourcing talent with the right skills. So as organizations defend themselves against a constantly evolving threat landscape, ongoing education and training should be of the utmost importance to their teams.
The upcoming SANS events represent an opportunity for organizations to invest in their security personnel and address these pressing challenges. By prioritizing courses such as SEC560, organizations can truly empower their teams with invaluable skills. This training better equips our state’s defense mechanisms against cyber threats.
Additionally, the focus on hands-on learning means that attendees walk away with real-world, practical takeaways. This method strengthens not only the skill sets of the individual but helps establish a culture of continuous improvement among security teams.