SANS IT security training in SA for the first time

The globally respected SANS Institute will deliver its IT security professionals' training in South Africa for the first time, when it participates in the annual ITWeb Security Summit, in Sandton, in May.

The SANS Institute, described as the world's most trusted source of information security training, now has programmes reaching more than 165 000 security professionals around the world. The SANS method of training has been effectively in use for over 20 years and more than 15 000 information security professionals train with SANS every year.

The courses are designed to deliver practical know-how that can be implemented immediately.

Coming to South Africa as part of a collaborative venture with ITWeb and the ISG Africa community, SANS' expert educators will deliver two days' of courses to South African IT security professionals after the industry's premier IT security event, from 15 to 18 May.

Craig Rosewarne, MD of Wolfpack and Founder and Chairman of ISG Africa, says the SANS Institute sees this as its first step towards greater engagement in Africa. With this in mind, SANS has appointed Rosewarne as an EMEA Director for the Institute responsible for the African region.

“This is a very positive development for South Africa and the continent as a whole,” says Rosewarne. “Traditionally, if local information security specialists wanted to benefit from SANS training, they had to either complete courses online, or go to great expense to travel to the US to attend. Now, they will have the opportunity to undergo this training right here in Sandton.”

Rosewarne says the training will be presented following the Security Summit. One of the courses to be delivered will be: Security 440 - 20 Critical Security Controls: Planning, Implementing and Auditing. This course focuses on the top 20 priorities for effective security defence against cyber attack and has already been adopted by the US and UK government security teams.

A poll is currently underway among African IT professionals to determine where the greatest information security skills development needs lie, after which, the themes of additional courses will be announced.

The ITWeb Security Summit is the IT industry's premier annual information security event. For more information and to reserve a place, go to www.securitysummit.co.za.