SANS Institute Brings Free Cybersecurity Training to GISEC 2025

News Desk - 01/05/2025

SANS Institute, a global cybersecurity training and certification company, will take part in GISEC Global 2025 from May 6 to 8 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This year, SANS joins the event as a strategic partner, emphasizing its long-term commitment to building cybersecurity skills in the region.

As part of the partnership, SANS will host the SANS GISEC Academy in Hall 4. This is a community-driven initiative offering three days of free technical training sessions. Led by SANS Certified Instructors, these sessions aim to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities across the UAE and the wider Middle East.

Each day will cover a different cybersecurity focus area:

Day 1 – Offensive Operations with Jean-François Maes. Topics include malware evasion, OSINT exposure in cloud environments, and vulnerabilities from over ten years of penetration testing.
Day 2 – Cyber Defense with Ian Reynolds. Sessions explore deception-based defenses, AI and deepfakes, and advanced threat hunting.
Day 3 – ICS/OT Security with Michael Hoffman. Content includes real-world case studies like the Colonial Pipeline and Ukraine grid attacks.

The sessions are designed for analysts, SOC managers, professionals, and decision-makers looking to enhance both tactical and strategic skills.

Ned Baltagi, Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at SANS Institute, said AI-powered threats are changing the game. “From deepfake-enabled fraud to intelligent ransomware, cybersecurity teams must move from reactive defense to intelligence-driven prevention,” he said. “Cybersecurity is not just a job responsibility. It’s a shared mission for national resilience.”

In addition to the academy, Rob T Lee, Chief of Research at SANS Institute, will speak at two key GISEC Global 2025 sessions.

On May 6, at the Dark Stage, he will present: “The AI Acceleration: Defending Critical Infrastructure Against Emerging Intelligent Threats.” The talk will examine AI in cyberattacks, the evolving Volt/Salt Typhoon method, and defense strategies using real-time data.
On May 7, he will take part in a Critical Infrastructure Stage panel. The discussion will explore how precision AI and machine learning can protect OT environments.

According to Lee, modern attackers use tools that can generate realistic malware, deepfakes, and large-scale phishing campaigns in minutes. “The challenge isn’t just identifying threats—it’s keeping pace with how fast they evolve,” he said.

Attendees can visit SANS at Stand D75, Hall 7, to meet with senior executives and learn more about the training offerings.

SANS Institute will also continue its regional training efforts with four upcoming events in May: