Becomes only college to earn Top 5 power rankings in both the Standard Student and Experienced Student brackets in the Fall 2023 NCL Competition
Earns #1 power ranking among schools designated as NSA Centers of Academic Excellence
BETHESDA, MD, November 20, 2023 - At the fall 2023 National Cyber League (NCL) competition, the SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) demonstrated its cybersecurity prowess, becoming the only college out of more than 500 participating colleges to earn Top 5 power rankings in both the Standard Student and Experienced Student brackets. This impressive achievement, along with earning the #1 power ranking among schools designated by the NSA as Centers of Academic Excellence, reaffirms the institution's standing as one of the top cybersecurity programs in the nation.
Quick Facts: SANS.edu Sentinels at 2023 NCL Competitions:
- #1 Power Ranking in Experienced Student bracket in Spring 2023
- #2 Power Ranking in the Experienced Student bracket in Fall 2023
- #1 Power Ranking among schools designated by the NSA as Centers of Academic Excellence in Fall 2023
- #4 Power Ranking in the Standard Student bracket in Fall 2023
- #1 Team in the Experienced Student bracket in Spring 2023
- #2 Team in the Experienced Student bracket in Fall 2023
- #2 Team in the Standard Student bracket in Fall 2023
- 28% of the Top 100 individual players in the Experienced student bracket in Fall 2023 were SANS.edu Sentinels
"The Sentinels' outstanding performance at both NCL competitions this year is a testament to their skill, talent, and tenacity, and to the quality of the education they're getting at SANS," said Ed Skoudis, President of the SANS Technology Institute. "I couldn't be prouder that the students on our two Top 5 NCL teams this fall represent all of our undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs."
The members of the SANS.edu Sentinels Team with the second-place finish in the Experienced Student bracket (out of more than 100 teams) were Brian Crowley, Brian Davidson, Christopher Haller, Jason Johnson, Cory Smith, Shawn Reinhart, Anthony Snead. Members of the SANS.edu Sentinels Team with the second-place finish in the Standard Student bracket (out of more than 1,000 teams) were Adam Browne, Rachel Downs, William Green, Ikaika Leite, Ehsaan Mavani, David Timothy Nam, and Jacob Smith.
These talented students represented the SANS Technology Institute's cybersecurity master's degree program, graduate certificate programs, bachelor's degree program, and undergraduate certificate program. "I'm incredibly proud of my team's commitment to the grueling 56-hour NCL team competition," said Will Green, a bachelor's degree student and member of the SANS.edu Sentinels Team that placed second in the Standard Student bracket. "Our diverse skill sets, paired with the strategy of former top-ranking NCL teams at SANS and the best training in cybersecurity at SANS.edu, all contributed to our success this season."
The top-finishing SANS.edu Sentinels Team competing in the Experienced Student bracket was one of only two teams to achieve a perfect score. "It was the most challenging NCL in 7 seasons, and each team member contributed vital insights and skills at the 11th hour," said Brian Davidson, a software engineer and recent master's degree graduate who competed on the second-place Experienced team. "We can't wait for our 8th season of competing!"
At the NCL fall 2023 awards ceremony held on November 9, 2023, NCL Commissioner David Zeichick said, "SANS, you are doing a great job there! You continue to create some amazing teams and amazing players."
The Sentinels' latest achievements further solidify its position as a powerhouse in the field of cybersecurity, and it reflects the rigorous training and top-notch education provided by the SANS Technology Institute. Join the ranks of these cybersecurity trailblazers by enrolling at SANS.edu today. With a distinguished faculty of information security experts, cutting-edge courses, and industry-recognized GIAC certifications, SANS.edu delivers exceptional undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students to thrive in the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
About the National Cyber League
The National Cyber League (NCL) is a collegiate cybersecurity competition that enables students to prepare for and test themselves against practical cybersecurity challenges that they will likely face in the workforce, such as identifying hackers from forensic data, penetration testing and auditing vulnerable websites, and recovering from ransomware attacks. Open to U.S. high school and college students, the NCL is a community and virtual training ground that allow students to develop and demonstrate their technical cybersecurity skills, helping students bridge the gap from curriculum to career.
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 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, and boasts the proven success of its alumni. 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 is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. For more information, visit www.sans.edu.