SANS Cyber Ranges Reviews & Product Details

We provide immersive, hands-on cybersecurity training through realistic simulations built by world-class instructors. Learners safely develop, assess, and validate skills while earning CPE credits. From foundational to advanced levels, our ranges build confidence, teamwork, and readiness to defend against real threats. Learn more about our best cyber ranges below: SANS SKILLS QUEST BY NETWARS - CORE EDITION: A self-paced hands-on training solution covering a wide range of cybersecurity topics, designed with challenges and hints that support continuous knowledge and skill development. - Delivery: self-paced, online - Run Time: 6 or 12 months - Player Mode: solo & team - CPE Credits: up to 12 per month NETWARS: Composed by the six main disciplines in cybersecurity, these advanced ranges are suitable for all skill levels, with a compelling storyline for interactive learning. The multifaceted, real-world challenges emphasize the in-depth practical application and evaluation of essential cybersecurity skills, empowering practitioners to excel in their field. - Delivery: in-person, online, hybrid - Run Time: 6h - Player Mode: solo & team - CPE Credits: up to 6 BOOTUP CTF: A capture-the-flag range style featuring over 125 disciplines. Engage with real-world scenarios using hands-on skills and tools to tackle authentic targets and memory captures, ensuring you gain practical, applicable knowledge. - Delivery: in-person, online, hybrid - Run Time: 6 or 72 hours - Player Mode: solo & team - CPE Credits: up to 6 CYBERCITY: An immersive 1:87 miniaturized scale of a physical city controlled by real-world equipment. Gain hands-on experience with SCADA-controlled systems, including power, water, transit, and more, preparing you for cybersecurity challenges in a critical infrastructure environment. - Delivery: in-person, online, hybrid - Run Time: customized - Player Mode: solo & team - CPE Credits: up to 6

Product Website

Seller

SANS Institute

Discussions

SANS Cyber Ranges Community

Languages Supported

English

Overview by

Jason Hodgert

Pricing

Pricing provided by SANS Cyber Ranges.

SANS Skills Quest By NetWars

Starting at $495.00

1 Seat With One-Time Purchase

View More Pricing Information

SANS Cyber Ranges Media

SANS Cyber Ranges Demo - The SANS Cyber Ranges Cycle

Train, Practice, Certify, it's SANS's powerful blueprint for lifelong cybersecurity growth. It starts with world-class training that builds foundational knowledge and introduces real-world tactics. That knowledge is then put to the test through immersive, hands-on practice in cyber ranges that ...

SANS Cyber Ranges Demo - NetWars Tournaments at SANS Training Events

Students attending a 4-6 day course at selected SANS training events can experience NetWars tournaments for free. The same experience can be customized and provided at any scale for private runs.

SANS Cyber Ranges Demo - SANS Cyber Ranges Leaderboard

Our ranges.io platform provides a web-accessible leaderboard containing the latest updates on how players are performing, providing motivation to all participants. Built on top of AWS, ranges.io enables us to easily deploy our cyber ranges globally and scale them to thousands of concurrent users.

SANS Cyber Ranges Demo - Tournament of Champions

Hosted annually at SANS Cyber Defense Initiative in Washington, DC, this tournament is a celebration of the best of the best players around the world! The SANS Core NetWars Tournament of Champions brings together the top-scoring individual and team players from Core NetWars tournaments from the p...

SANS Cyber Ranges Demo - Tournament of Champions | Coveted Trophies & Coins

Every player receives a commemorative challenge coin and digital badge. The top 5 solo players and each member of the top team will receive a 4.5 lb /2 kg heavy crystal trophy to take home!

SANS Skills Quest by NetWars - Walkthrough

Official Downloads

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Dan W.

Information Security Officer

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

2/7/2026

"Fun, Competitive Real-World Prctice with Well-Crafted Evidence Sets"

4/5

What do you like best about SANS Cyber Ranges?

I love the chance to apply real-world skills in a realistic environment with well-crafted evidence sets. The competitive aspect makes it fun and engaging, and it’s also a great way to meet new people in person while working together. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about SANS Cyber Ranges?

Some of the answer submissions can feel a bit picky or pedantic — like getting marked wrong over things such as spacing or formatting rather than the actual solution. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is SANS Cyber Ranges solving and how is that benefiting you?

The Cyber Ranges expose you to a wide range of scenarios—especially in the DFIR variant—with evidence sets covering networking, memory, Windows, mobile forensics, and more. It’s a great way to dive into areas I wouldn’t normally encounter in day-to-day work, and I always come away having learned something new—which, I guess, is exactly the point of the ranges! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Jennifer Cochran of SANS Cyber Ranges

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Hi Dan, Thank you for your review of SANS Cyber Ranges! We’re glad to hear you’re enjoying the environment and competitive aspect of the exercise. We appreciate your feedback on the answer submission process and will factor it into future improvements.

Verified User in Real Estate

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

12/8/2025

"A Realistic and Effective Cybersecurity Training Platform"

2.5/5

What do you like best about SANS Cyber Ranges?

SANS Cyber Ranges provides an engaging, hands-on experience that mimics real-world cybersecurity situations. The platform is user-friendly and offers a variety of challenges that help develop both basic and advanced skills. I especially value the realistic threat simulations and the ability to monitor progress over time. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about SANS Cyber Ranges?

While the content is excellent, the user interface can feel a bit outdated and sometimes slow. Navigation between modules isn't always smooth, and I’ve seen minor bugs during some exercises. A more modern UI and better transitions would improve the overall experience. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Jason Hodgert of SANS Cyber Ranges

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Thanks for the feedback! Quite happy that you found the experience and challenge realistic and fruitful.

The UI/UX is something we are currently updating to improve the experience. If you would like to elaborate about specifics, feel free to reach out via DM. We'd love to learn more!

Verified User in Computer & Network Security

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

2/7/2026

"Practical, Real-World Challenges That Truly Prepare You"

5/5

What do you like best about SANS Cyber Ranges?

They make practical challenges that portray real world scenarios and situations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about SANS Cyber Ranges?

Not much to dislike. I do wish the challenges were categorized and broken down based on skill level but that would be hard to gauge everyone’s skill level. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Jennifer Cochran of SANS Cyber Ranges

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Hello, Thank you for your thoughtful review! It’s great to know the Ranges are helping bridge the gap between course content and real-world application through practice. We appreciate your input on organizing by skill level and will consider this as we evolve the experience.

Victor L.

Manager, Digital Solution Architect

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

2/9/2026

"Hands-On Cyber Practice in a Safe Environment"

4.5/5

What do you like best about SANS Cyber Ranges?

Like other Sans courses is the closer experience i have found to pratice cyber in a safe environment yet not theorical Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about SANS Cyber Ranges?

Its quite costly, may be way to incentive learning and effort wirh a stepped payment and not full amount upfront payment? Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Jennifer Cochran of SANS Cyber Ranges

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Hi Victor, Thank you for taking the time to share your review on Cyber Ranges! We value your feedback and will take it into consideration as we continue enhancing our offerings.

Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

12/8/2025

"Comprehensive Cyber Range Platform with Impressive Evolution"

4/5

What do you like best about SANS Cyber Ranges?

I really appreciate how the SANS Cyber Range has evolved since 2020. The platform offers a comprehensive experience, providing access to virtual machines and integrating CTF questions and answers directly into the scoreboard. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about SANS Cyber Ranges?

One drawback is that the virtual machine used for range challenges can sometimes be slow, and the clipboard functionality is not always reliable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is SANS Cyber Ranges solving and how is that benefiting you?

I appreciate the increased number of hands-on practical challenges, which have helped me further develop my skills after taking SANS courses, especially during the final day CTF challenges. Additionally, using this platform on Netwars has introduced me to new security challenges in an engaging and gamified way, making the learning experience both enjoyable and educational. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Jason Hodgert of SANS Cyber Ranges

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Thank you for the review! We are always looking to improve where necessary so we have sent your feedback to our product team. We're happy you had a good overall experience!

Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

2/10/2026

"Wide Variety of Programs with Helpful, Research-Friendly Hints"

4.5/5

What do you like best about SANS Cyber Ranges?

I was happy to see a wide variety of programs/languages at play to help create opportunities for different types of professionals. Even in areas where I had never performed, the instructions gave me just enough of a hint to research and come back to answer/perform. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about SANS Cyber Ranges?

To have it as more of a learning opportunity, offering some kind of debrief video/walkthrough for afterwards. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Jennifer Cochran of SANS Cyber Ranges

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Hello, Thank you for your review of SANS Cyber Ranges! We are glad to hear that you found the variety of programs and hints helpful to your overall experience. We appreciate your feedback about the debrief video/walkthrough and wil take that into consideration for future improvements.

Verified User in Consumer Electronics

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

2/7/2026

"One of the better option for On-Demand Cyber Range platform"

5/5

What do you like best about SANS Cyber Ranges?

On-demand cybersecurity skills assessment and of varying difficulty and challenges. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about SANS Cyber Ranges?

There are more red team challenges compared to blue team topics like DFIR, Network Analysis, etc. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Jennifer Cochran of SANS Cyber Ranges

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Hello, thank you for your review on SANS Cyber Ranges! We appreciate your feedback about the balance of red and blue team topics. We will take this into considerations for future improvements.

Verified User in Research

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

8/30/2025

"You always bring something back"

5/5

What do you like best about SANS Cyber Ranges?

For every course I've taken, there has always been a great emphasis on practical application. I always get back to my job ready to try something new on a problem. The instructors are from industry, so they offer practical insight to the material you are learning. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about SANS Cyber Ranges?

They seem expensive -- but you definitely get what you pay for. Because you have to have your own work platform for the classes, you may have to use your personal devices, as corporate computers are frequently too locked down to be used for these classes. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Jason Hodgert of SANS Cyber Ranges

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That's what we like to hear! Glad you came away with new job-ready skills. Come back any time!

Verified User in Defense & Space

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

2/7/2026

"Authentic, Real-World Cyber Scenarios That Feel Immediately Applicable"

5/5

What do you like best about SANS Cyber Ranges?

Authentic. Real world scenarios and applicable to real world applications Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about SANS Cyber Ranges?

Pricing. Would love if it was more reasonably priced for all experience level cyber professionals could participate Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Jennifer Cochran of SANS Cyber Ranges

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Hello, Thank you for your feedback! It’s great to hear that the scenarios and instruction are helping you grow as a cyber professional. We understand your perspective on pricing and appreciate you sharing it as we look for ways to make our offerings accessible to more learners.