Don’t be fooled. This is a cult from the ‘70s - Director SANS Institute Employee Review

1.0
7 Sept 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Work from home is likely why people “love” it so much here, and stay forever. Expectations are very low because nobody here is smart about how to actually run a business. Not expected to actually fix anything. Easy job if you can smile and keep your mouth shut.

Cons

Actually proud of their antiquated paper systems. If you suggest tech to solve anything, you’re regarded with suspicion. Requires constant high praise, acknowledgement of alllll the great things that have “gotten them this far” and don’t even suggest or hint that anything could be done better or be improved. Maybe wait until you’ve been there 6 months. “Leadership” rarely actually knows anything about their job function. They are easily intimidated and offended. Also almost every “director” has about two direct reports, most are low level. To get in, you interview with 12 people so your actual hiring manager can spread the blame when they make a mistake. Interviewers only include “believers.” When you start your job and start talking to people, first they say they LOVE it, then they start complaining (in the next two minutes) about how “I’ve been trying to get them to change my title for five years.” “[Person or department] is a total waste of space; I hate [person].” What this indicates is the people who work here want to complain about how things work but won’t make any efforts to fix it. Fine with the status quo. If you work for a government bureaucracy and LOVE it, you may fit in fine. No org charts. No budget management or process. The only feedback I got was “Make sure you hug everyone. They just want to be loved.” Ummm... Upon joining you’re required to sign documents that say you’ll never talk about the company negatively in any way. The obvious 5-star “GREAT PLACE TO WORK! People who don’t like it here are dumb!!!” reviews are very obvious plants. Read the detail people go into in any review - good or bad. The more detail, the more honest, the more you should listen.

Explore other reviews about SANS Institute

5.0
30 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Consistent source of work. Flexible hours.

Cons

None so far. A decent place to work.

3.0
25 Nov 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Was essentially a 50 year old start up when they moved online during COVID - Some really smart, collaborative, kind coworkers - Got to build the automation frameworks from the ground up - Decent starting pay and good benefits

Cons

- Old and dated management style - Higher ups loved to create a fuss based on inaccurate or incomplete status updates causing other higher ups to panic, and then dig deeper and realize there was no issue - Pretty much no room for growth - No structure for promotions or pay raises - Laid off half their company in May 2025, cannot imagine how much remaining employees had to take on to carry the load and for the same pay. - "We're like family" attitude

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