The SANS Institute, a prominent cybersecurity training organization, has announced two upcoming training events in Saudi Arabia. These events, SANS Khobar and SANS Riyadh Spring, are expected to significantly impact cybersecurity education in the region. The announcement comes at a time when Saudi Arabia has achieved the second rank in the Global Cybersecurity Index for 2023, showcasing its global leadership in cybersecurity. These training events underscore the Kingdom's dedication to advanced cybersecurity practices and the development of essential skills to protect its digital landscape. Saudi Arabia has proactively implemented robust frameworks and initiatives to address emerging threats, enhancing cybersecurity capabilities across critical sectors such as finance, energy, healthcare, and government. This emphasizes the nation's commitment to cybersecurity as a crucial element of national competitiveness.
Enhancing Saudi Arabia's digital resilience, particularly in alignment with the objectives of Vision 2030, relies heavily on cybersecurity training. Given the escalating sophistication of cyber threats in the Middle East, the demand for a proficient and skilled cybersecurity workforce has never been more critical. Ned Baltagi, Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at the SANS Institute, emphasizes that SANS Khobar and SANS Riyadh Spring affirm their dedication to bolstering the Kingdom's cybersecurity capabilities. These initiatives not only offer professionals opportunities to enhance their skills but also foster knowledge exchange and collaboration within the local and global cyber community. The goal is to build a network of well-trained cybersecurity experts who can actively contribute to Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity objectives. Through comprehensive training, this approach aims to empower individuals to play a vital role in ensuring a secure and advanced digital transformation, aligning with the nation's visionary goals for 2030 and beyond.
Established in 1989, the SANS Institute is a privately-owned, for-profit U.S. company specializing in information security and cybersecurity training, as well as the issuance of certificates. The training topics encompass areas such as cyber and network defenses, penetration testing, incident response, digital forensics, and auditing. The institute develops its information security courses through a collaborative process involving administrators, security managers, and professionals in the field. These courses address both the fundamental principles and the technical aspects of information security. Renowned for its training and certification programs, the SANS Institute is recognized globally and holds the distinction of being the world's largest cybersecurity research and training organization. The term "SANS" is an acronym representing SysAdmin, Audit, Network, and Security.
