Dear Colleague,
 
The attackers have changed the rules again — using old tools in new ways, and new tools for which your defenses have to be re-tuned and updated. Incident handlers and experts from the SANS Internet Storm Center are coming together this summer to present briefings on the most important of the new attack techniques. Please join this team for SANSFIRE 2008 in Washington, DC, July 23-31. You'll also find over forty of SANS top-rated courses: from penetration testing to hacker exploits to security management, wireless, forensics, secure coding, and more.

The Internet Storm Center knows about more than the vulnerabilities. Because the Infosec community shares an unprecedented amount of information with the Internet Storm Center, evening talks at SANSFIRE 2008 will provide extraordinary insights into actual attacks that have taken place. These special presentations are free to everyone who attends one of the courses at SANSFIRE 2008. You'll learn about current threats — and, how the Internet Storm Center can help you in your fight against these threats.

The Internet Storm Center's success is largely because the defensive Infosec community shares information to make our world better. Nothing fosters information sharing and trust building better than face-to-face meetings like SANSFIRE 2008. Again, several of our incident handlers will be present at this event, giving you unprecedented opportunities to get to know these fantastic people.

The course schedule for SANSFIRE 2008 features a full lineup of SANS classics in the disciplines of audit, security, management and legal. We've also rolled out new courses with a focus on penetration testing, malware analysis and removal, and secure coding. All SANS courses directly address the kinds of incidents reported by the Internet Storm Center in their daily diaries. And, it's a SANS promise that what you learn you'll be able to apply immediately back at the office.

AT SANFIRE 2008, you'll have far more than just training opportunities. This is also the place to meet other information security professionals, discuss new products with vendors, participate in online challenges, and listen to world-class guest speakers. Our downtown conference location also has easy access to all of the monuments, museums, and government buildings that offer many days of sightseeing for spouses and kids.

Make your travel and training plans early. Discounted room rates are available at the for SANS students through July 9. Plus, register for SANSFIRE 2008 by June 11, and you can receive a $250 tuition fee discount.

You won't want to miss this important industry event.

Marcus Sachs
Director, SANS Internet Storm Center

Johannes Ullrich,
Chief Research Officer, SANS