SANS.edu Success Stories

Q. How did you get interested in cybersecurity?

A. I've always been tech-savvy. Prior to my most recent positions, I worked in cyber-adjacent roles, primarily in government. I served as a civil servant for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence and then as a Cyber Resilience Advisor and Senior Cyber Product Manager at the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government. These roles provided me with significant exposure to cybersecurity and sparked my interest in transitioning to more hands-on roles in the field.

Q. Prior to attending the SANS Technology Institute, what was your educational background?

A. I entered university at age 18 to pursue a career in medicine but left part-way through my degree course. I never thought I'd go back to school, but that was before I was introduced to SANS. The UK government, in collaboration with SANS, offered an Upskill in Cyber course in 2022. I was so lucky to be selected to participate in this retraining program. It was there that I received my GSEC and GFACT certificates and my love for SANS was born.

Q. What is your current position? What does that entail?

A. I am a Principal Consultant at Bridewell, a security partner for organizations in the critical national infrastructure sector. My responsibilities are diverse and tailored to client needs. One week, I might be conducting a research project; the next, performing risk assessments; and another, working on audit and assurance. Every week brings new challenges and opportunities.

Q. What do you like most about cybersecurity?

A. I am known to get bored easily, so I thrive on continuous challenges and learning. Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, offering a wide range of niche disciplines to explore. My focus on industrial control systems aligns perfectly with my powerful sense of civic duty, as I find it incredibly rewarding to enhance the safety of critical national and local infrastructures.

Q. How did you hear about SANS.edu?

A. My first introduction to SANS was in 2022 when I took some certification courses as part of a government-sponsored upskilling program. So, I was already aware of their certification programs. I loved the courses and was highly impressed by SANS. Further, SANS has a well-known reputation and is considered the industry gold standard. However, it wasn't until I began exploring options for a bachelor's degree that I discovered SANS also offers bachelor's and master's degree programs. It was then that my choice was made.

Q. Why did you choose to enroll in SANS Technology Institute bachelor's program?

A. After doing my research, it was clear that SANS.edu was the best and most efficient program for me. SANS offered the flexibility I needed through its on-demand option, allowing me to work full-time while enrolled. They accepted credits I earned during my brief time at university nearly 20 years ago. Additionally, upon graduation, I not only received my bachelor's degree but also earned industry-respected certifications critical to advancing my career. There was no need to spend additional money and time on securing certifications, as they were built into the program.

SANS.edu's reputation within the industry is unmatched. Additionally, their curriculum is up-to-date, and the teaching quality is exceptional. Instructors are leaders in the field, and in many cases the on-demand courses are presented by the course authors themselves.

Q. How did you fund the program?

A. For the most part, I covered the tuition myself. Fortunately, SANS accepted my two previous certifications and previous university time for credits, which helped reduce the overall cost. Additionally, I was awarded a scholarship from SANS for my robust performance as a member of one of the SANS Capture the Flag teams. SANS.edu is one of the best investments I've ever made. When I look at my career trajectory since joining SANS, I can confidently say that the program has already paid for itself.

Q. What did you find most valuable about the program?

A. There are so many positive aspects that it's hard to narrow them down. Ultimately, the most impactful part was the community and the excellent student advisors. I felt truly supported and part of the college. I loved connecting with other students and instructors. I also truly appreciated the opportunity to take electives and choose a specialization. The specialized electives in industrial control systems fascinated me and aligned perfectly with my values of protecting people and critical infrastructure. This focus has significantly shaped my career path and the next steps in my academic journey. I discovered a niche within a niche that I hadn't known about before, and it became a passion of mine.

Q. Can you tell me about your experience with the Capture the Flag competitions?

A. Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions are incredibly fun, even if they come with sleepless nights. The most significant competition I participated in was the National Cyber League (NCL) competition. In the fall of 2023, our SANS team secured second place, narrowly beaten by the U.S. Military Academy. I was thrilled to receive a scholarship for being part of the highest placing SANS team, which was the icing on the cake.

This past spring, I entered the experienced bracket and, although I didn't place, I could clearly see how much I had improved thanks to my continued coursework at SANS.edu. This progress really confirmed that I was learning and growing in my field.

Q Can you tell me about your internship as an Apprentice Handler in the Internet Storm Handler Center?

A. The SANS internship was a unique opportunity that allowed me to apply what I learned in the real world. Writing up regular attack observations and receiving feedback from my mentor helped improve my report writing skills and provided practical, hands-on experience that I wasn't getting in my job at the time. Additionally, a blog post I wrote was published by the Internet Storm Center, which contributed value to the community and demonstrated my expertise to others.

Q. Did you take classes online or at live events? How was that experience?

A. I took all classes on demand. Despite studying on my own at my desk or dining table, I felt connected to the college. Without this sense of community, it could have been quite isolating, but it wasn't. In contrast, when I took a programming course online at another institution, it was a completely dissimilar experience with no engagement. This sense of connection and support was one of the reasons I was quite sad to finish the SANS bachelor's program. It was really enjoyable.

Q. Can you tell me about how the student advising experience at SANS.edu worked for you?

A. My student advisor Jessica was a superstar. She was my number one cheerleader throughout the program. Jessica celebrated every success with me. She made sure I had everything I needed to succeed. I cannot thank Jessica enough for her positive influence.

Q. How has the SANS.edu Career Center helped you in your search for jobs?

A. Since I was already employed at the time, I didn't fully leverage the support of the Career Center. However, the career counselors helped me hone my resume into something I am really proud of. This resume foundation is something I plan to build upon and use in the future. I also know that the SANS.edu Career Center staff will be available to me should I need them in the future.

Q. How have your SANS.edu certifications impacted your career trajectory?

A. I started looking at jobs halfway through the program, and even then, my confidence was already higher because of the certifications I had earned. During interviews, the questions directly referenced things I had learned, and I remember thinking how glad I was to have that knowledge. I received competing job offers. My self-confidence certainly came through. Even though I hadn't completed the program yet, I could demonstrate my skills to potential employers.

Q. What advice would you offer someone considering applying to the SANS Technology Institute?

A. The SANS bachelor's program is rigorous, so it's important to be realistic about how you'll balance it with everything else in your life. That said, SANS provides tremendous support to ensure your success. Also, remember, you will get out of the program what you put into it. Make the most of this amazing opportunity by connecting with other students and instructors and challenging yourself by participating in Capture the Flag competitions. If you manage your time effectively, you'll reap significant benefits from the program.

Q. What's next for Rachel Downs?

A. It has been eight months since starting my most recent job, so for the immediate future I continue to settle into my position. However, I do plan to continue a path toward specializing in industrial controls cybersecurity and pursuing my master's degree in Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure.

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