Accessing SANS My Labs Content

Some SANS courses include content that is generated per student. For example, license keys or VPN keys to range environments that are unique to each student. If you are enrolled in a class with this type of content, you will access these resources from the My Labs section of your SANS account. This document details the basic steps required to access this content in the My Labs part of the student portal.

There are four main types of content available in My Labs. Your course may have zero, one, or more of these types of data. Refer to your course setup guide and/or lab workbook for specific instructions about data which may (or may not) be available in My Labs. Note that My Labs content is not available in your account until 24 hours prior to your class start time.

• Accessing SANS My Labs Content
• Accessing SANS My Labs
• Course and Section Selection
• Component Selection and Access
  • Range Environment Access
  • Dynamically Built Range Environments
  • Software/Service Licenses and Access
  • Account Provisioning
  • Dynamically Provisioned Accounts
  • Microsoft Azure MFA Setup
  • Scoreboard Access

Notice

Content and screenshots in this section are examples and do not reflect your specific course ID and name.

Accessing SANS My Labs

Note

Your course materials should direct you to access My Labs content if/when it is appropriate. Keep in mind that some of this content is time-limited, so it's important not to access it until directed.

If, after receiving directions to use the My Labs section of your SANS account in your class setup guide or lab instructions, you do not see the necessary section(s), please first ensure any ad blockers are disabled and attempt to access My Labs again. If this does not fix the problem, contact SANS Support at the email address indicated at the top of the My Labs page.

1. Visit sans.org and click "Log In" at the top of the page.

   

2. Enter the email address that you used to register for your course and your password, then click "Login".

   

3. Under the "My Training" section, click "My Labs".

   

Course and Section Selection

1. Click on the course you're taking to unroll the respective My Labs components. You may have a list of multiple courses.

   

2. The Lab Instructions in your Electronic Workbook will specify which My Labs section is needed at the appropriate point. When directed, click the appropriate section to display the dynamically generated content.

   

Component Selection and Access

Each My Labs component may have one or more individual entries, depending on specific course requirements. The lab instructions in your Electronic Workbook will provide specific directions for when to use each component.

The sections below are broadly representational. Actual instructions will vary significantly from what is shown in the screenshots. Please follow all directions in your SANS My Labs interface completely to ensure you have access to all the necessary components for your course.

Range Environment Access

Most course range environments use an OpenVPN configuration file to provide access.

Note

Your range environment(s) may be rebuilt on a periodic basis. If applicable, the rebuilding schedule will be clearly stated for each range environment.

Dynamically Built Range Environments

Your range environment(s) may also be dynamically built upon request. If so, you will see a button labeled "Launch Range Environment". Clicking this button will start the range environment build process. When this is complete, the content required to access the range environment will be provided in the same interface. The screenshots below reflect both the pre-build and post-build interfaces.

Software/Service Licenses and Access

Each software or service license may have slightly different requirements or products. Some may require you to run an application in or copy a machine identifier from your virtual machine, while others may simply provide a license key file or access credentials.

Account Provisioning

Dynamically Provisioned Accounts

Your account(s) may also be dynamically provisioned upon request. If so, you will see a button labeled "Provision Account". Clicking this button will provision the necessary account(s). When this is complete, the required access instructions will be provided in the same interface. The screenshots below reflect both the pre-provisioning and post-provisioning interfaces.

Microsoft Azure MFA Setup

Both SANS-provisioned and "bring your own" Microsoft Azure accounts require Multi-Factor Authentication setup. Please follow the steps below to ensure your Azure account's MFA is correctly set up for your course. Note: This setup requires the use of your preferred authenticator application.

1. Visit https://portal.azure.com/ and enter your username and password.

2. When presented with the Let's keep your account secure page, select Next.

   

3. On the Keep your account secure page, select I want to use a different authenticator app as shown in the screenshot below.

   

4. Inside of your preferred authenticator application, start the process of adding a new account.

5. Return to the Azure Keep your account secure page in your browser and click Next.

   

6. Use your authenticator app to scan the QR code. This will connect your authenticator app with your Azure account. Once you finish scanning the QR code, click Next.

   Unable to Scan a QR Code?

   If you're unable to scan the QR code, you can click on Can't scan image? (1). You'll be provided an Account Name and Secret Key (2) to enter into your authenticator app. Once you've successfully entered these values into your authenticator app, return to the browser and click Next (3).

   

   

7. Note the 6-digit code shown in your authenticator app for this account. Return to your browser and enter that code into the field shown as 1 in screenshot below. Once entered, click Next (2 below).

   

8. If done correctly, you should see a Success! message as shown below. Click Done to complete this MFA setup and use your Azure account.

   

Scoreboard Access