SANS Institute Partners with Road to Hire to Expand Access to Cybersecurity Training for Untapped Talent
Program will equip aspiring cybersecurity professionals with hands-on training, certification opportunities, and wider pathways into the field
SANS Institute, the global leader in cybersecurity training and certification, has partnered with Road to Hire (R2H) to deliver world-class cybersecurity training to a cohort of ten students with non-traditional backgrounds. The pilot cohort launched on June 9, 2025, with students enrolled in SANS SEC275: Foundations and preparing to earn their GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies (GFACT) certification. A formal kickoff session was held on June 12, marking the start of a transformational journey for these future cyber professionals. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to building a skilled and resilient cybersecurity workforce.
“This partnership with SANS Institute represents a bold step forward in Road to Hire’s mission to create inclusive opportunity and access to high-paying careers,” said Dr. Monique Perry-Graves, Chief Executive Officer, Road to Hire. “By integrating cybersecurity into our Apprenticeship Program, we’re expanding the possibilities for our apprentices and reaffirming our commitment to building pathways that reflect the future of work. We’re honored to partner with SANS to help shape the next generation of tech talent.”
SANS Institute, through its Cyber Academy and Mission Programs, continues to seek out like-minded organizations to help find untapped, hidden talent. R2H, based in Charlotte, N.C., has long championed access to education and career pathways for first-generation college students, individuals from low-income households, and communities historically excluded from tech. SANS and R2H are demonstrating the impact of mission-aligned partnerships, and how investing in potential can yield talent that strengthens our nation’s collective cyber defense.
“From our very first conversations with SANS, it was clear they shared our values and vision,” said Justin McNeil, Senior Tech Program Manager, Road to Hire. “This collaboration was built on mutual trust and a shared belief that under-resourced young adults deserve access to world-class training. We’re excited to launch this cybersecurity track and give our apprentices the skills, confidence, and community to thrive in a critical and fast-growing field.”
The SANS-R2H partnership also builds on the momentum established earlier this year when SANS announced the expansion of its Cyber Academy to support a 500-participant annual run rate. That milestone reflected a broader commitment to cultivating the cybersecurity workforce of tomorrow, especially by providing accelerated pathways into the field for nontraditional and under-resourced talent. The collaboration with R2H is a direct example of that vision in action—bringing together expert instruction, rigorous curriculum, and a student-centered support model to equip learners with industry-recognized skills and certifications.
“Together, Road to Hire and SANS are opening doors to a more secure and inclusive future, where talent meets opportunity, and every step forward strengthens the next generation of cybersecurity leaders,” said Jermaine Green, a SANS graduate who helped facilitate the partnership.
Want to stay updated on future academy launches, application openings, and impact stories like this? Subscribe to SANS Cyber Talent Newsletter and get the latest on mission-driven programs delivered straight to your inbox.
About SANS Institute
The SANS Institute was established in 1989 as a cooperative research and education organization. Today, SANS is the most trusted and, by far, the largest provider of cybersecurity training and certification to professionals in government and commercial institutions worldwide. Renowned SANS instructors teach more than 60 courses at in-person and virtual cybersecurity events and on demand. GIAC, an affiliate of the SANS Institute, validates practitioner skills through more than 35 hands-on technical certifications in cybersecurity. The SANS Technology Institute, a regionally accredited independent subsidiary, offers master's and bachelor's degrees, graduate certificates, and an undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity. SANS Security Awareness, a division of SANS, provides organizations with a complete and comprehensive security awareness solution, enabling them to manage their "human" cybersecurity risk easily and effectively. SANS also delivers a wide variety of free resources to the InfoSec community, including consensus projects, research reports, webcasts, podcasts, and newsletters; it also operates the Internet's early warning system–the Internet Storm Center. At the heart of SANS are the many security practitioners representing varied global organizations, from corporations to universities, working together to support and educate the global information security community.
About Road to Hire
Road to Hire invests in the untapped potential of the next generation of leaders by breaking down barriers to career success. We provide continuous support from high school classrooms, primarily in Title 1 schools, to high-paying careers, and equip young professionals with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to unlock economic mobility and lasting career growth. Since 2014, R2H has supported over 3,300 young adults, including more than 500 graduates from its Tech Apprenticeship program, who are now employed in software development and cybersecurity roles at R2H’s corporate partners. For more information, visit https://roadtohire.org.