Alan Paller

Alan Paller (September 17, 1945 – November 9, 2021) was a cyber security expert, the founder of the SANS Institute, and the founder and former president of SANS Technology Institute. He was also the president emeritus of SANS Technology Institute and served as president of the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation The SANS Institute was established in 1988 as a cooperative for information security professionals to exchange technical information and receive training. During this period, the institute expanded its training, certification and research activities.

Paller testified before committees of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives on matters relating to cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection and workforce development.

In 2012, he was named, along with Jeff Moss, as co-chairs of the Department of Homeland Security task force on cyber skills. Paller also chaired the Task Force on Best Practices in Cybersecurity for the Federal Communications Commission's Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC), where he contributed to recommendations on cybersecurity best practices for critical communications infrastructure.

In 2009, Paller received the FCW Federal 100 Award in recognition of his contributions to federal information technology and cybersecurity.

In 2010, he was named one of seven people "worth knowing in cyber security" by The Washington Post. The foundation awards students who have demonstrated their abilities through GFACT certification exam with the Alan Paller Honor Scholarship by giving both financial award and the status of Scholar with Honors.

Center for Internet Security honors his memory through the Alan Paller Laureate Program. The Program awards eligible organizations, academic institutions, or individuals. In 2022, RSA Conference awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award.