As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries, the need for robust cybersecurity solutions has never been more urgent.

While AI offers unparalleled potential, the rapid pace of innovation has left many organizations struggling to secure these evolving technologies.

AI Cybersecurity Hackathon

To bridge this critical gap, the SANS Institute—a global leader in cybersecurity training and research—has announced the AI Cybersecurity Hackathon, a month-long initiative designed to develop open-source security tools for the AI-driven world.

Empowering the Next Wave of AI Security Experts

Running from February 15 to March 15, 2025, the AI Cybersecurity Hackathon invites cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, developers, and students to participate in building the next generation of AI-powered security solutions. This event is more than just a competition—it’s a call to action for the cybersecurity community to collaboratively address the vulnerabilities emerging alongside AI advancements.

Rob Lee, Chief of Research at SANS Institute, emphasized the hackathon’s importance: “AI is transforming cybersecurity at an unprecedented rate, but organizations are struggling to find professionals with the right expertise to secure these evolving technologies. Through this hackathon, SANS hopes to not only contribute vital open-source tools but also encourage individuals to pursue and refine the AI security skills the industry desperately needs.”

Building on a Legacy of Open-Source Innovation

SANS has a longstanding tradition of empowering the cybersecurity community through both training and open-source tool development. From Rob Lee’s SIFT Workstation for digital forensics to Ed Skoudis’ Holiday Hack Challenge and Johannes Ullrich’s Internet Storm Center (ISC), SANS consistently delivers resources that security professionals can use immediately. The AI Cybersecurity Hackathon continues this legacy, fostering innovation while addressing AI-driven threats.

Participants will have the chance to:

  • Develop AI-powered security solutions that identify, mitigate, and prevent emerging threats.
  • Enhance system resilience and data protection using cutting-edge technology.
  • Contribute to open-source projects that can be adopted across the industry.

Kate Marshall, Director of Summits at SANS Institute, highlighted the hackathon’s impact: “We don’t just want to talk about AI security—we want to build the tools that solve these challenges. Even if this event results in just one essential tool, that’s a win for the entire cybersecurity community. We hope this inspires long-term innovation and a new generation of AI security experts.”

How to Participate

Joining the SANS AI Cybersecurity Hackathon is simple and open to all skill levels:

  1. Register for the Hackathon: Sign up at the SANS AI Cybersecurity Hackathon to receive updates, rules, and key resources.
  2. Collaborate or Go Solo: Participants can form teams or work independently, fostering creativity and collaboration.
  3. Develop & Submit: Build an AI-powered security solution and submit it by March 15, 2025.

High-quality submissions will not only gain recognition but may also be promoted and published as open-source tools for future cybersecurity initiatives.

Join the Movement: Shape the Future of AI Security

The SANS AI Cybersecurity Hackathon is more than a challenge—it’s an opportunity to shape the future of cybersecurity. Participants will develop valuable AI security skills, contribute to cutting-edge solutions, and connect with a global community of innovators.

Don’t miss this chance to make an impact. Sign up today at ai-cybersecurity-hackathon.devpost.com and be part of the movement driving AI security forward.

# Written by Elliyas Ahmed