Official Announcement

The rapid growth of AI adoption has created a significant gap in the cybersecurity industry, as organizations struggle to find suitable tools to secure these emerging technologies. While AI has immense potential in enhancing cybersecurity, the current gap between innovation and implementation is substantial. Many existing security solutions are either proprietary, inadequate, or inaccessible, leaving a significant need for new and innovative solutions.

To address this pressing issue, the SANS Institute, a global leader in cybersecurity training and research, is launching the AI Cybersecurity Hackathon. This month-long event, taking place from February 15 to March 15, 2025, aims to inspire participants to develop expertise in AI security, identify and support cybersecurity talent, and drive progress in AI security research through open-source contributions. The hackathon is an opportunity for cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, developers, and students to cultivate critical skills and develop open-source tools to address emerging AI security challenges.

According to Rob Lee, Chief of Research at SANS Institute, “The integration of AI in cybersecurity is happening at an unprecedented rate, but organizations are facing significant challenges in finding professionals with the right expertise to secure these evolving technologies. Through this hackathon, SANS hopes to contribute vital open-source tools and encourage individuals to pursue and refine the AI security skills the industry desperately needs.”

SANS has a proven track record of empowering the cybersecurity community through training and the development of open-source security tools. Notable examples include Rob Lee’s SIFT Workstation, Ed Skoudis’ Holiday Hack Challenge, and Johannes Ullrich’s Internet Storm Center (ISC). These initiatives have consistently delivered practical solutions that security professionals can utilize immediately.

The AI Cybersecurity Hackathon continues this tradition by offering participants the chance to build and contribute critical tools that will shape the future of AI security. Participants will have the opportunity to develop AI-driven security solutions that address emerging threats, enhance system security, and improve data protection. The hackathon welcomes both experienced professionals and newcomers who want to explore the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.

Kate Marshall, Director of Summits at SANS Institute, emphasized the significance of the hackathon. “Rather than just discussing AI security, we aim to build the tools that solve these challenges. If this event results in even one essential tool, that’s a significant win for the entire cybersecurity community. We hope this hackathon inspires long-term innovation and fosters a new generation of AI security experts.”

Participation Guidelines

SANS will carefully review submissions and select high-quality projects that can be further developed, promoted, and published as open-source tools for future security initiatives.

To learn more about the AI Cybersecurity Hackathon and to register, please visit SANS AI Cybersecurity Hackathon. This is a unique opportunity to develop valuable AI security skills, contribute to cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, and connect with a global community of innovators.