Suffolk Partners with the SANS Technology Institute

Suffolk University has announced a new partnership with the SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) that will allow eligible undergraduates to earn a highly regarded Applied Cybersecurity Certificate (ACS) at no additional cost—the first and only program of its kind in New England. Students will graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and industry-recognized credentials in one of the fastest-growing fields in the nation.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 33% increase in the need for information security analysts over the next decade. Recognized worldwide as the gold standard in cybersecurity training, SANS.edu reports that graduates holding its ACS credential earn average starting salaries of $104,000.

First-year students majoring in computer science or minoring in cybersecurity who enter Suffolk beginning in fall 2026 will be eligible as juniors and seniors to apply to take SANS.edu courses alongside their Suffolk coursework. Successful participants will earn four Global Information Assurance Certifications (GIAC)—the top benchmark for cybersecurity expertise—which are highly valued across industries including government, defense, finance, healthcare, and technology.

“We’re proud to partner with Suffolk University to create a direct, hands-on pathway into cybersecurity careers,” said Ed Skoudis, president of the SANS Technology Institute. “This collaboration gives students access to world-class instruction, industry-recognized GIAC certifications, and the practical experience needed to defend organizations from real-world threats.”

Created as part of Suffolk’s Pioneering Innovations in Learning Outcomes & Teaching (PILOT) initiative, the new Suffolk–SANS.edu Cybersecurity Certification Program will be available to students without any additional fees—representing approximately $18,600 in advanced training value. Suffolk students will also have access to specialized SANS.edu career counseling services.

“This new program in partnership with SANS and other initiatives emerging from PILOT reflect our ability to rapidly develop and launch innovative academic programs that respond to student and employer demands and contribute to career readiness,” said Suffolk University Provost Rich Oches. 

The Suffolk–SANS.edu certification track will open to eligible students entering the University in or after fall 2026, beginning in their junior year, contingent on departmental approval and passing the SANS.edu assessment exam.

“At a moment when the country faces more than 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity roles, this program offers a transformative advantage for our students and an essential investment in the future of the cybersecurity workforce,” said Andrew Perlman, vice president for academic innovation at Suffolk University and dean of Suffolk University Law School. “This partnership gives Suffolk students access to the most rigorous, industry-validated cybersecurity training available—and does it without increasing their tuition cost.”