The SANS Institute has formalised its association with Shearwater Solutions by appointing the company as its local ANZ representative, as well as bringing it on board to organize a SANS security training event in Canberra in June.

SANS is a global information security training and research organisation, while Shearwater provides security solutions and services for and managing information assets.

According to SANS, its courses are aligned with GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification) training, which is recognised as an industry standard for security knowledge. GIAC certification provides an objective standard and assurance that each individual meets a specific level of competence and has acquired the skills necessary to do the job.

The SANS training event in Canberra, at National Convention Centre beginning June 30, will include SANS Security Essentials Bootcamp; Hacker Techniques, Exploits and Incident Handling; System Forensics, Investigation and Response; and Auditing Networks, Perimeters and Systems.

"We have had a great response to the Canberra session from intending participants and it looks like it will be a very successful event," Shearwater's commercial manager Ray Kantor said in a statement.

He expects that many of the organisations and government agencies at this year's event will be repeat visitors.

"Clearly, those organisations see the significant value that can be gained from the SANS experience," Kantor said.

SANS is also planning another training event in Sydney in October 2008, and a New Zealand event in 2009. Computerworld is awaiting information from Shearwater regarding these events.

Further information regarding the SANS Canberra 2008 event can be found on the event Web site.