SANS LDR520 · Cybersecurity Leadership + AI

Emerging Trends for Cyber Leaders: AI & Cloud

Drive enterprise resilience and innovation by shaping AI adoption strategy, modernizing cloud security foundations, and preparing for post-quantum disruption.

5 Days · 30 CPEs 13 Hands-On Labs Advanced Level

Authored by Jason Lam, SANS Senior Instructor

About the Course

Lead the AI and Cloud Transformation

LDR520 empowers leaders to navigate the complex, interconnected risks of AI and cloud transformation. You will master AI security by establishing effective governance frameworks and building practical implementation roadmaps to defend against modern threats. The course then builds a critical foundation in cloud security, covering everything from identity and infrastructure protection to advanced data operations and multicloud governance. Finally, you will look ahead to post-quantum cryptography and apply every concept in an executive-level capstone exercise.

Build and defend the AI security business case
Identify and mitigate AI-specific vulnerabilities
Design and execute AI implementation roadmaps
Establish secure, high-maturity cloud foundations
Protect cloud data and operations at scale
Prepare for post-quantum cryptographic transitions

Free Course Resources

Frameworks You Can Put to Work Today

Two practical, spreadsheet-based reference models from LDR520 — download them, benchmark your organization, and prioritize your next investments. No sign-up required.

Cloud Security Maturity Model

Excel · MaturityModel-1.2.xlsx

The 8-domain cloud security maturity framework from LDR520. Assess your organization across identity, infrastructure, detection and response, governance, data protection, workload security, assurance, and workforce transformation — then prioritize investment from initial setup to a high-maturity state.

Download Maturity Model

MLSecOps Reference Model NEW

Excel · MLSecOps-Reference-Model_v1.0.xlsx

A practical control set for securing the machine-learning lifecycle: 48 controls across six phases — Scoping, Data Operations, Development, Validation, Deployment, and Operations — each closed by a security gate and mapped to NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, the OWASP LLM Top 10, and MITRE ATLAS. Includes a per-phase deep-dive tab for each stage.

Download MLSecOps Model

Course Syllabus

Five Sections, From Strategy to Capstone

1

AI Strategic Imperatives

Governance and threat assessment with NIST AI RMF, EU AI Act, and ISO 42001, plus the Executive Playbook for influence and transformation.

2

AI Defense & Implementation

Bias detection, the OWASP LLM Top 10, adversarial attacks, MITRE ATLAS threat intelligence, and AI-enabled SOC capability.

3

Cloud Foundations & Identity

Apply the 8-domain maturity framework to identity, secure infrastructure, detection and response, and security governance.

4

Cloud Data, Ops & Governance

Data protection, workload and DevSecOps security, security assurance, workforce transformation, and SaaS operational security.

5

Post-Quantum & Capstone

Crypto inventory, agility, and post-quantum migration planning, culminating in an executive-level capstone exercise.

13 Hands-On Labs

Cyber42 simulation-based decisions throughout — practice leadership under realistic pressure, not just theory.

Is This Course For You?

Who Should Attend

Security Leaders & CISOs

Directors and managers setting AI and cloud security strategy and risk appetite.

IT & AI Executives

VP-level leaders overseeing enterprise AI adoption and cloud transformation.

Security & AI Architects

Architects designing secure cloud environments and AI/ML systems.

Risk & Compliance (GRC)

Professionals mapping AI governance to EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, and ISO 42001.

Ready to Lead Through AI and Cloud Disruption?

Visit the official SANS LDR520 course page for the full syllabus, upcoming dates and locations, pricing, and registration.