A Filipino cybersecurity professional received two SANS Challenge Coins at the SANS Institute Amsterdam Training, showing a rare achievement for participants in the global cybersecurity program.
Edmund Ray O. Milanes, head of Orion Managed Services at Nexus Technologies, earned coins for the Digital Forensics and Incident Response NetWars Tournament and the FOR589 Cybercrime Investigations Course. The SANS Institute, founded in 1989, is known for its cybersecurity training, certifications, and research.
“This milestone not only celebrates individual excellence but also highlights the growing influence of Filipino talent in the global cybersecurity landscape,” Juan Chua, president of Nexus Technologies Inc., said.
Milanes, who has worked in cybersecurity for 15 years, earned the honors for the Philippines. His achievement highlights the presence of local cybersecurity professionals in the global community.
“This accomplishment also underscores the world-class expertise of Filipino cybersecurity professionals and further cements Nexus Technologies’ reputation as a leader in managed security solutions,” Chua said.
Milanes received the Digital Forensics and Incident Response NetWars Tournament Coin for placing in the top five out of more than 100 participants from different countries. The coin is given to individuals who show strong skills in digital forensics and incident response.
He also received the FOR589 Cybercrime Intelligence Capstone Challenge Coin as part of the winning group that completed the final hands-on exercise for the FOR589: Cybercrime Investigations course. The course includes a simulation where students investigate a fictional cybercrime campaign using skills learned during the training.
A graduate of Mapua University, Milanes is one of only three Filipinos who hold the GIAC Security Expert certification. The GSE is considered a high-level credential in cybersecurity. It requires six Practitioner certifications and four Applied Knowledge certifications.
In March 2024, Milanes received a Challenge Coin for the FOR509: Enterprise Cloud Forensics and Incident Response challenge, earning the title SANS Lethal Forensicator.
Orion Managed Services, the cybersecurity arm of Nexus Technologies, now holds 11 SANS Challenge Coins in digital forensics, incident response, cyber defense, and offensive security in the last three years. The company is also certified under the Information Security Managed System ISO27001:2022, which it achieved with zero nonconformities.
Orion Managed Services offers cybersecurity solutions such as cyber threat detection and response, managed email security, endpoint detection and response, firewalls, privileged access management, email awareness training, vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, and red and purple team services. The team includes more than 130 cybersecurity professionals who support major Philippine enterprises.