Bethesda, MD - November 22, 2024 - The SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) once again showcased its dominance in cybersecurity education with outstanding performances in the fall 2024 National Cyber League (NCL) competition. The SANS.edu Sentinels claimed first place in the Standard Student bracket, secured third place in the Experienced Student bracket, and earned the coveted #1 Power Ranking in the Experienced Student bracket and #2 Power Ranking in the Standard Student Bracket. Additionally, SANS.edu achieved the #1 Power Ranking among NSA Centers of Academic Excellence, distinguishing itself as a top institution for cybersecurity education.
The National Cyber League challenges students across the United States with real-world cybersecurity scenarios, providing a competitive platform to test their skills. Among more than 500 participating colleges and universities, SANS.edu stood out as a dominant force in the Fall 2024 competition, becoming the only school to earn Top 2 power rankings in both the Standard Student and Experienced Student brackets.
SANS.edu Fall 2024 NCL Highlights
- #1 Power Ranking in the Experienced Student Bracket
- #1 Power Ranking among NSA Centers of Academic Excellence
- #2 Power Ranking in the Standard Student Bracket
- First Place Team - Standard Student Bracket:
- Members: Michael Allison, Eliseo Alvarez, Justin Christianson, Jacob Smith, Zain Qureshi, JianDong (JD) Wang, ZhouAn (John) Wu
- Third Place Team - Experienced Student Bracket:
- Members: Michał Bełzak (Paller Scholar), Daniel Besmer, Anthony Candarini, Brian Crowley, Mark Lester Dampios (Paller Scholar), Samuel Decker, Andrew Effenhauser
- 26% of the Top 100 Experienced players were SANS.edu Sentinels
These achievements build on the exceptional performance of the SANS.edu Sentinels in the Spring 2024 NCL competition, where SANS.edu was one of only three schools to achieve Top 10 power rankings in both the Standard Student and Experienced Student brackets. Additional Spring 2024 highlights include:
- #1 Power Ranking - Experienced Student Bracket
- #1, #2, #3, and #4 Individual Players - Experienced Student Bracket
- Over 30% of the Top 100 Individual Players in the Experienced Bracket
Voices of Success
Eliseo Alvarez, a member of the first-place Standard Student team and student in the SANS.edu Applied Cybersecurity Certificate program, shared his excitement:
"The NCL competition challenged us to push our limits and taught us the value of collaboration and perseverance. Winning first place was an unforgettable achievement, and I'm grateful for the support of my SANS.edu peers and mentors."
John Hally, Principal Security Architect at NETSCOUT, graduate of the SANS.edu cybersecurity master's degree program, and coach of the SANS.edu teams, emphasized the competition's importance:
"The NCL provides students with a practical platform to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. The skills and confidence they develop through this experience prepare them to excel as cybersecurity professionals. Coaching these dedicated students has been an honor."
SANS Technology Institute President Ed Skoudis commended the teams' efforts and the institution's overall performance:
"These results are a testament to the exceptional talent, hard work, and determination of our students. Securing the #1 Power Ranking among NSA Centers of Academic Excellence highlights the power of a SANS.edu education in preparing the cybersecurity leaders of tomorrow."
About the SANS Technology Institute
The SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu), America's premier college for cybersecurity, delivers distinguished career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs, characterized by a world-class faculty of highly skilled information security practitioners, hands-on cybersecurity courses regularly updated for real-world relevance, and industry-recognized GIAC certifications earned within each program. SANS.edu offers innovative online and in-person course delivery options, including 100% online options for all its programs. Master's degree students at SANS.edu conduct leading-edge cybersecurity research, enhancing the state of the art in information security practices. The college also houses the Internet Storm Center, the world's leading global cyber threat detection network, where bachelor's degree students gain hands-on experience as Apprentice Handlers.
The SANS Technology Institute's emphasis on real-world skills, mentorship, and cutting-edge curriculum ensures graduates are equipped to defend against today's evolving cyber threats.
For more information about SANS Technology Institute and its programs, visit www.sans.edu.