How to Prepare for Your Upcoming SANS Live Training Event

SANS Live Training events provide high quality, hands-on cybersecurity education designed by cybersecurity practitioners with decades of experience in the field defending against cyberattacks. Our Live Training events provide an array of customized learning paths and specialized courses that give you invaluable skills that you can use on the job the day you return to work.

A SANS Live Training event is an immersive learning experience where you can expect to gain not only practical cybersecurity knowledge from industry leading experts, but also community networking, special events and activities, instructor chats and meet and greets, and so much more.

SANS Live Training provides students a unique opportunity to learn some of the most cutting edge cybersecurity technologies from some of the most accomplished cyber pros in their fields. And this blog will offer guidance on how to best prepare for your Live Training experience.

How to Best Prepare for Your SANS Live Training Course

Preparation is key to success and a great way to maximize your SANS Live Training experience.

Before the Course

Before the course begins, review the course materials, agenda, and laptop requirements. Review the course topics so you understand the logical flow and progression of the information you will be learning. Prepare your laptop and ensure all required software is installed and functioning. And don’t forget to pay attention to the information for accessing the event.

Preparing for the course will maximize your learning potential and increase your ability to retain and apply the information you learn. Preparation reduces stress and anxiety that often comes with attending a training course. Walking into a course prepared with what to expect can improve confidence which can increase positive learning outcomes.

During the Course

Make the most of your time by actively engaging with your instructor and peers. Ask questions and participate in discussions whether you are taking In Person or Live Online Live Training. Asking questions and participation in discussions can help to deeper your understanding of complex topics.

Taking notes is a helpful way to retain course material. Some best practices are to organize your notes by key concepts, taking note of areas where you would like further clarification.

After the Course

Learning never stops. Once you’ve completed your course, review the course materials regularly and apply the skills you’ve gained to your work. Consider setting work goals based on techniques and tools learned in the course. Which of these newfound skills can and should be applied to your organization and in what priority?

Another important step you can take is to get certified. GIAC certifications are an industry-recognized validation of practical skills that showcases your professional development and facilitates career advancement.

What You Should Know

Accessing Your Course

In-Person and Live Online Courses

• In-Person Courses: For those attending in-person events, course materials and session details will be available in your SANS account 7 days before the course begins. You should download digital resources prior to the event. Course textbooks will be provided at the venue during check-in, where you’ll also receive your event badge and other essential information.
• Live Online Courses: Live Online sessions will be available as clickable links approximately one hour before the scheduled start time. You can access these links directly from your SANS account under "My Online Training."

Step-by-Step Guide to Logging into Your SANS Account

1. Visit the SANS Website: Go to the official SANS website and click on the "Login" button located in the upper-right corner of the homepage.
2. Enter Your Credentials: Use the email address associated with your registration and the password you created to log into your SANS account. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it using the "Forgot Password" link.
3. Access Your Training: Once logged in, navigate to the "My Training" section in your account dashboard. Here, you will find links to your registered courses, including Live Online, OnDemand, and In-Person options.

Receiving Course Materials

Live Online attendees will be shipped course textbooks to the address provided during registration 14 days before the event for those who have completed payment. If payment is completed less than 14 days before the event, books will be shipped the next business day and may take up to 7 days to arrive. Digital course materials, including PDFs and media files, will be available for download in your SANS account 7 days before the course begins, and should be downloaded before the training starts.

In-Person attendees will pick up their course textbooks at event check-in. Additional details will be provided before the course. Digital course materials will also be available for download 7 days before the event, and it’s recommended to download them before traveling since hotel internet connections can be unreliable.

Navigating a SANS Training Event

In-Person attendees will receive email alerts before the conference with registration details, including check-in times and locations. Upon arrival, simply check in at the SANS registration desk with a government-issued photo ID. At the desk, you'll receive your SANS badge, course materials, and any additional information needed for the conference.

NetWars

NetWars is SANS’s exclusive interactive, competitive, game-like training environment. These hands-on keyboards challenges test your skills across several scenarios in individual and team-based challenges. NetWars develops skills and is great preparation certification.

And if you're worried about being too new to cyber to compete in or even enjoy NetWars, don’t! The platform is designed to accommodate all skill levels, with challenges that start at an entry-level and gradually increase in difficulty. This allows you to jump in and begin honing your skills right away, making it a valuable learning experience regardless of your expertise.

Preparation is Key to Success

Preparing for your upcoming SANS LIVE Training event will help you maximize your experience and achieve your goals. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this blog, you'll be well-prepared to engage with the course content, peers, and instructors, and apply the knowledge once you return to your job.

Education is a never-ending journey. Once you’ve completed your course, continue to build on the skills you gained while at your SANS Live Training event. Leverage the free SANS resources and stay connected with SANS instructors and class peer through social channels to ensure your ongoing growth and success.

If you have questions or need more information before attending your next SANS course, be sure to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. It’s a great resource to help you prepare and make the most of your training experience.

Don’t miss out on upcoming opportunities to participate in SANS Live Training events across North America. To see what cities are hosting these events, visit the North America Live Training Events Page.

Stay connected, keep up with the latest updates, and join the conversation by following #SANSLiveTraining on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.