Bethesda, MD, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cyberattacks on U.S. utilities surged 70% in 2024, according to a Check Point report, while attacks on critical infrastructure rose approximately 30% in 2023, based on data from the CISA Year in Review. These trends paint a clear picture: government systems and infrastructure remain prime targets, often without the tailored defenses needed to keep pace. On July 22, the SANS Institute will convene leading federal cybersecurity minds at the SANS 2025 Government Security Forum, a free virtual event delivering the real-world guidance public-sector defenders need now.
The 2025 SANS Government Security Forum is designed to meet this moment. As public agencies and infrastructure operators race to adapt to the surge in targeted cyberattacks, the forum provides a one-day, no-cost platform for learning and collaboration. Sessions are led by top-tier experts from the White House, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and SANS Institute, with an emphasis on practical, immediately applicable insights. Rather than focusing on abstract frameworks, speakers will share proven tactics for implementing Zero Trust, defending ICS/OT environments, and maintaining resilience under compliance and budgetary pressures.
"Government agencies need guidance they can implement today, not next year," said Matt Bromiley, SANS Certified Instructor. "Our forum connects participants directly with speakers who’ve led Zero Trust rollouts, built incident response teams, and secured mission-critical systems under real constraints."
This year’s lineup includes a former White House cybersecurity official, DoD and DHS advisors, and experts who have built and deployed scalable defense strategies across public networks and infrastructure. Attendees will benefit from live Q&A sessions, downloadable toolkits, and follow-up opportunities that extend learning beyond the day of the event. The virtual format ensures accessibility for government professionals regardless of geographic location or travel limitations.
"Experts from DHS and DoD will share hard-won lessons and blueprints for defense-in-depth in public systems," added Bromiley. "Attendees will leave with frameworks to improve resilience and protect national interests immediately."
The Forum is open to federal, state, and local government cybersecurity professionals; defense and intelligence agency teams; IT/OT personnel safeguarding infrastructure such as water, power, and transit; contractors and integrators supporting public-sector missions; cybersecurity vendors; and military personnel transitioning into cyber careers.
All session recordings will be available to registrants following the event.
To learn more and register, visit: https://www.sans.org/webcasts/2025-sans-government-security-forum/
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 85 courses at in-person and virtual cybersecurity events and OnDemand. GIAC, an affiliate of the SANS Institute, validates practitioner skills through more than 50 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 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. sans.org
