Heather Barnhart

Professor

DFIR Curriculum Lead and Head of Faculty at SANS Institute

Specialities

Digital Forensics and Incident Response

Connect with Heather

About Heather

Heather Barnhart is the DFIR Curriculum Lead and Head of Faculty at SANS Institute, where she shapes the future of digital forensics and incident response training. She is also Dean of Faculty at the SANS Technology Institute, the premier college for cybersecurity. A SANS Fellow, she is recognized for advancing smartphone forensics and Windows artifact analysis, helping investigators uncover critical evidence in today’s most complex cases.

Press & Media

Recognitions

Inside the Idaho Murder: How Digital and DNA Forensics Uncovered Truth Blog
RSA Conference — Heather Barnhart Conference Talk
ABC 20/20—“Idaho Justice” Media
People.com — Idaho Murders Digital Evidence Coverage Media
Dark Reading — SANS “Top 5 Most Dangerous” Panel Media
Forensic Focus — “Combating The Rise Of AI-Generated Child Exploitation Material” Media
Cybersecurity Interviews — “Earn the Tool” Podcast
SmarterForensics.com Community Resource

Student Reviews

Slide 1 of 3
“
OMG!!! Heather just showed me something that is going to completely change the way I do forensics.”
Jeff MadsenWA State DSHS
Slide 2 of 3
“
I’ve always found SANS training to be the best training available, and this one even more so! Heather's teaching methods and the course material is phenomenal. She teaches you the why and how, not just the way to use a tool. Really great!”
Gary SandersLWCC
Slide 3 of 3
“
Heather is an outstanding instructor. She is passionate about the topic and is extremely knowledgeable. Best class I have ever taken.”
KoachSPD