SEC536: Adversarial AI - Penetration Testing AI Systems

Check-in times, classroom locations, and bonus sessions for SANS Network Security 2027 (September 27 - October 2, 2027) will be in the Event Guide at the top of this page a couple of weeks before event start.
Digital course materials open in your SANS Account seven days before class, so download them and confirm your laptop meets the course requirements before you travel.
Day-one classes start at 8:30 a.m. For everything else, from recordings to transfers, see the SANS Live Training FAQ or email support@sans.org.
Network Security runs one of the largest lineups SANS offers each year, so a whole team can attend with each person in the right course. Newer and less common options include FOR577 Linux Incident Response and Threat Hunting, ICS613 ICS/OT Penetration Testing, SEC541 Cloud Security Threat Detection, and SEC535 and SEC536 for AI security.
Yes. Courses run in person at Caesars Palace or Live Online in Pacific Time, and in-person students can switch to Live Online during the week.
Yes. Caesars Palace is $219 a night plus a $39 resort fee. Paris Las Vegas (about a 13-minute walk) totals $208 a night with its resort fee, and The LINQ (about a 5-minute walk) offers a suite at $158 a night all in. Government per diem rooms are available at Caesars. Book through the Location section before the group deadline shown in Important Dates.
One CPE per course hour. Five-day courses typically earn 30 CPEs and six-day courses 36 or more; the exact total is listed on each course card. SANS course CPEs count toward renewing a GIAC certification, and most courses at this event align with a GIAC exam.
Two, both free with a 4-to-6-day course and playable in person or online. Core NetWars runs in a browser and covers defense, penetration testing, forensics, cloud, and AI; DFIR NetWars focuses on forensics and incident response and needs a laptop with 16 GB of memory and about 200 GB free. Active players earn 6 CPEs.
Yes. Early check-in runs Sunday, September 26, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. PT, so you can collect your badge and printed books before class. Bring a government-issued photo ID.
Get a head start by checking in the evening before classes begin. Pick up your event badge, printed course materials, and any event giveaways. A valid government-issued photo ID is required.
In-Person
Check in before class begins and pick up your event badge, printed course materials, and any event giveaways. A valid government-issued photo ID is required.
In-Person
Ease into the day with freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and a selection of hot teas.
In-Person
Step away from class and enjoy coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Lunch is on your own. Explore nearby dining options to enjoy a meal of your choice before classes resume in the afternoon.
In-Person
Enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up featuring coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Ease into the day with freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and a selection of hot teas.
In-Person
Step away from class and enjoy coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Lunch is on your own. Explore nearby dining options to enjoy a meal of your choice before classes resume in the afternoon.
In-Person
Enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up featuring coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Ease into the day with freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and a selection of hot teas.
In-Person
Step away from class and enjoy coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Lunch is on your own. Explore nearby dining options to enjoy a meal of your choice before classes resume in the afternoon.
In-Person
Enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up featuring coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Ease into the day with freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and a selection of hot teas.
In-Person
Step away from class and enjoy coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Lunch is on your own. Explore nearby dining options to enjoy a meal of your choice before classes resume in the afternoon.
In-Person
Enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up featuring coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Registration:
About Core NetWars: The most comprehensive and AI-forward cyber range in the NetWars portfolio. Designed for practitioners across multiple disciplines, Core NetWars combines emerging AI security challenges with real-world cyber scenarios to strengthen the technical skills most needed for today's threats. It is the only range that qualifies for the annual Core NetWars Tournament of Champions!
Computer Requirements: Internet-based
Recommended For: All infosec practitioners of any level. It is recommended, but not required, that students have a basic or foundational knowledge of information technology and technical topics.
Disciplines: Cybersecurity 101, Cyber Defense, Penetration Testing, Digital Forensics, Incident Response, Cloud Computing, and AI.
Example Topics:
Interactive Scenario: SANS students are deployed to BLOCCORP, a global media giant built on toys, streaming, gaming, and AI. As strange activity spreads across its infrastructure, they uncover compromised systems, vulnerable AI models, rogue IoT devices, and reckless automation. Can they expose BLOCCORP’s hidden agenda and stop its AI-driven ambitions before the damage is done?
In-Person & Virtual
Registration:
About DFIR NetWars: Focused on digital forensics, incident response, threat hunting, and malware analysis, this tool-agnostic approach covers everything from low-level artifacts to high-level behavioral observations.
Computer Requirements: Laptop/desktop-based
Recommended For: Experienced Digital Forensic Analysts, Forensic Examiners, Media Exploitation Examiners, Malware Analysts, Incident Responders, Threat Hunters, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analysts, Law Enforcement Officers, Federal Agents, Detectives, and Cyber Crime Investigators.
Disciplines: Digital Forensics, Incident Response.
Example Topics:
Interactive Scenario: As a DFIR specialist, you are provided with evidence files from a series of mysterious compromised systems and conventional computing environments. Your mission? Use your DFIR skills to shed light on attack vectors, indicators of compromise, and other evidence needed to resolve the incident.
In-Person & Virtual
Ease into the day with freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and a selection of hot teas.
In-Person
Step away from class and enjoy coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Lunch is on your own. Explore nearby dining options to enjoy a meal of your choice before classes resume in the afternoon.
In-Person
Enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up featuring coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Registration:
About Core NetWars: The most comprehensive and AI-forward cyber range in the NetWars portfolio. Designed for practitioners across multiple disciplines, Core NetWars combines emerging AI security challenges with real-world cyber scenarios to strengthen the technical skills most needed for today's threats. It is the only range that qualifies for the annual Core NetWars Tournament of Champions!
Computer Requirements: Internet-based
Recommended For: All infosec practitioners of any level. It is recommended, but not required, that students have a basic or foundational knowledge of information technology and technical topics.
Disciplines: Cybersecurity 101, Cyber Defense, Penetration Testing, Digital Forensics, Incident Response, Cloud Computing, and AI.
Example Topics:
Interactive Scenario: SANS students are deployed to BLOCCORP, a global media giant built on toys, streaming, gaming, and AI. As strange activity spreads across its infrastructure, they uncover compromised systems, vulnerable AI models, rogue IoT devices, and reckless automation. Can they expose BLOCCORP’s hidden agenda and stop its AI-driven ambitions before the damage is done?
In-Person & Virtual
Registration:
About DFIR NetWars: Focused on digital forensics, incident response, threat hunting, and malware analysis, this tool-agnostic approach covers everything from low-level artifacts to high-level behavioral observations.
Computer Requirements: Laptop/desktop-based
Recommended For: Experienced Digital Forensic Analysts, Forensic Examiners, Media Exploitation Examiners, Malware Analysts, Incident Responders, Threat Hunters, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analysts, Law Enforcement Officers, Federal Agents, Detectives, and Cyber Crime Investigators.
Disciplines: Digital Forensics, Incident Response.
Example Topics:
Interactive Scenario: As a DFIR specialist, you are provided with evidence files from a series of mysterious compromised systems and conventional computing environments. Your mission? Use your DFIR skills to shed light on attack vectors, indicators of compromise, and other evidence needed to resolve the incident.
In-Person & Virtual
Ease into the day with freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and a selection of hot teas.
In-Person
Step away from class and enjoy coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person
Lunch is on your own. Explore nearby dining options to enjoy a meal of your choice before classes resume in the afternoon.
In-Person
Enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up featuring coffee, tea, assorted sodas and juices, fruit, and a featured snack.
In-Person