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As the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various sectors accelerates, organizations are finding it increasingly challenging to safeguard these advanced technologies. Despite AI’s promising applications in the field of cybersecurity, a significant divide remains between innovation and its practical application, with many existing security measures being either proprietary or inadequate.
In response to this urgent need, the SANS Institute, a leading entity in cybersecurity training and research, is launching the AI Cybersecurity Hackathon, which will run from February 15 to March 15, 2025. This month-long event seeks to motivate participants to enhance their skills in AI security, discover and nurture cybersecurity talent, and promote advancements in AI security research via open-source contributions. The hackathon invites professionals, ethical hackers, developers, and students to engage in creating essential tools aimed at addressing the challenges posed by AI in cybersecurity.
Rob Lee, Chief of Research at SANS Institute, remarked on the current landscape: “AI is changing the cybersecurity domain rapidly, yet organizations are having difficulty finding individuals with the necessary expertise to secure these evolving technologies. Our hope with this hackathon is to not only create critical open-source tools but also to inspire individuals to develop and sharpen their AI security capabilities that the industry critically needs.”
SANS Institute has a well-established history of empowering the cybersecurity community, not only through formal training but also by developing and sharing open-source security tools. Iconic contributions, such as Rob Lee’s SIFT Workstation, Ed Skoudis’ Holiday Hack Challenge, and Johannes Ullrich’s Internet Storm Center (ISC), have consistently provided valuable resources for security professionals to utilize effectively.
The upcoming AI Cybersecurity Hackathon continues this legacy, presenting an avenue for participants to develop and contribute critical resources that will influence AI security’s future landscape. Participants will have the chance to craft AI-driven security solutions aimed at mitigating new threats, fortifying system security, and enhancing data protection strategies. This hackathon is open to both seasoned experts and newcomers eager to delve into the confluence of AI and cybersecurity.
Kate Marshall, Director of Summits at SANS Institute, emphasized the importance of this event: “Our goal is not just to discuss AI security challenges but to actively construct the tools necessary for overcoming these issues. If this event yields even one indispensable tool, it will be a victory for the entire cybersecurity community. We aspire to ignite sustained innovation and nurture a new wave of AI security professionals.”
How to Participate
Collaborate or Go Solo: Participants have the option to join teams or choose to work independently.
Develop & Submit: Create an AI-powered security solution and submit it by March 15, 2025.
SANS will evaluate high-quality entries for potential highlighting, promotion, and publication as open-source resources for future security endeavors.
To find out more and register, visit SANS AI Cybersecurity Hackathon. This is an excellent opportunity to enhance your AI security expertise, contribute to innovative cybersecurity solutions, and connect with a global network of innovators.
Source
www.darkreading.com