SANS Institute to Enhance Qatar’s Cybersecurity Capabilities in Alignment with National Vision 2030

SANS Institute Announces SANS Doha May 2024 Training Program

The SANS Institute, a global leader in cybersecurity training and certifications, has announced its upcoming training program, SANS Doha May 2024. This initiative aims to address the increasing cybersecurity concerns in Qatar, where recent statistics reveal that approximately 18% of businesses experienced a cybersecurity breach in 2023, with about 5% facing more than five incidents. Each incident has an estimated average cost of approximately US$4.94 million.

In response to these concerning figures, SANS Doha May 2024 is designed to enhance Qatar's cybersecurity capabilities by upskilling professionals responsible for protecting vital operational control systems. The program will provide participants with a comprehensive set of incident response skills for both cloud and traditional systems, as well as strategies to defend industrial control system environments against emerging cyber threats.

Ned Baltagi, Managing Director for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at SANS Institute, stated, "SANS Doha provides a foundational framework of standardized skills and knowledge tailored for industrial cybersecurity professionals. Our goal is to equip them with the necessary expertise to uphold safety, security, and resilience against both existing and emerging cyber threats."

The SANS Doha May 2024 program will offer advanced training in detecting, countering, and recovering from diverse threats within enterprise networks. Through specialized training, SANS Institute is committed to supporting Qatar's efforts to build a digitally secure society and foster a new generation of cyber guardians.

Key objectives of the program include Enhancing participants' understanding of incident response and the skills necessary to defend against cyber threats, Providing tools and methodologies for thorough incident response investigations, Equipping professionals with defensive tactics for both cloud-based and on-premises platforms.

The event will feature three specialized courses available both in-person and via live online sessions. These courses are designed to address the specific needs of cybersecurity professionals in Qatar and the surrounding region.This course will equip participants with the skills to conduct thorough incident response investigations using dynamic methodologies, threat intelligence, and defensive tactics for both cloud-based and on-premises platforms. By offering this course, SANS Doha May 2024 aims to empower cybersecurity professionals and contribute to a digitally secure society in Qatar.

FOR508 is tailored for professionals looking to enhance their skills in threat hunting and forensic analysis. The course delves into investigative techniques and tools essential for handling various cyber threats, such as data breaches and malware intrusions. Participants will learn how to effectively detect, contain, and remediate incidents, and develop strategies for responding to diverse adversaries. A key takeaway from this course is the importance of a well-defined incident response plan in maintaining robust cybersecurity defenses.

ICS410 focuses on the critical aspects of industrial control systems (ICS) and SCADA security, which are vital components of modern digital infrastructure. Participants will gain a deep understanding of cyber-secure-aware engineering practices and learn how to provide real-time support for control system IT/OT operations. This course is essential for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in securing ICS environments and protecting critical infrastructure from emerging cyber threats.

Ned Baltagi emphasized the significance of SANS Doha in providing tailored skills and knowledge for industrial cybersecurity professionals. He stated, "We aim to empower professionals to uphold safety, security, and resilience against both existing and emerging cyber threats, including challenges posed by APT nation-state adversaries, organized crime syndicates, and hacktivists."

By equipping participants with advanced skills and knowledge, these courses aim to contribute to the development of a new generation of cyber guardians capable of addressing the complex challenges of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. The SANS Institute's commitment to empowering cybersecurity professionals and promoting a digitally secure society in Qatar and beyond is evident through these comprehensive training offerings.