Bethesda, MD — October 6, 2025 — Leads & Copy — SANS Institute and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have partnered to launch a large-scale cybersecurity skills development initiative aimed at emerging professionals worldwide. The AWS Skills to Jobs initiative is offered at no cost to learners and includes a Capture the Flag (CTF) competition powered by SANS, premier SANS training courses, industry certification, and cyber ranges in cybersecurity, cloud security, and artificial intelligence.
The initiative will provide up to 10,000 students affiliated with the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance across the United States, Brazil, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain with hands-on cyber skills.
The SANS BootUp CTF competition, hosted on a cyber range built using AWS services, will run October 15-17, 2025. Participants will address challenges in cyber defense, offensive security, digital forensics, and incident response. Top performers will receive licenses for SANS training courses and cyber ranges.
Max Shuftan, Director of Mission Programs and Partnerships at SANS Institute, stated the effort will help identify and elevate new talent from under-resourced communities and enable practical, scenario-based learning.
SANS Institute is a strategic AWS Nonprofits customer and member of the AWS Partner Network (APN), offering courses on AWS Marketplace. SANS Institute was selected as a 2025 AWS Education Equity Initiative (EEI) awardee and will use AWS credits to expand access to this initiative.
Valerie Singer, Global Manager for Global Education at AWS, said expanding access to cybersecurity education is crucial for a more secure digital future.
Students and institutions can learn more by visiting https://app.brazenconnect.com/events/mn3vK.
Contact: Jenn Elston SANS Institute 301-654-7267 press@sans.org
Source: SANS Institute
