Cybersecurity and AI StrategyCornell Certificate Program
Overview and Courses
As AI technologies rapidly transform the cybersecurity landscape, organizations face unprecedented challenges in protecting their digital assets while leveraging AI's potential for enhanced defense capabilities. This critical intersection of AI and cybersecurity demands new approaches to strategic risk management.
Throughout this certificate program, you will explore the transformative impact of AI on both cybersecurity and cybercrime, developing crucial skills to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. Beginning with a foundational examination of AI's risks, rewards, and responsibilities, you’ll evaluate its implications for both individuals and organizations. The program covers specific AI applications and challenges through the lens of governance and policy, including an in-depth analysis of deepfake technology's benefits and dangers related to ransomware and cyber extortion.
Through practical case studies and expert insights, you will examine AI in the cybersecurity landscape and consider the responsibilities that come with its usage. You'll conclude by exploring AI's current and future impact on critical infrastructure and national security, including emerging threats and defensive capabilities. This forward-looking approach ensures you're prepared to adapt to AI’s complexities, anticipate future challenges, and contribute to the development of effective security practices and policies in your organization. No prior experience with AI or technical expertise is required to be successful in this program.
By participating in the program, you’ll gain one year of access to Symposium! These dynamic, highly interactive virtual Zoom sessions are designed to foster collaboration and networking with fellow professionals. Led by expert facilitators and occasionally featuring special guests, each multi-day event dives into the most pressing topics in AI. You can participate in as many sessions as you like throughout the year. While attendance is encouraged, it's not required.
To get the most out of your experience, it is recommended that you begin Cybersecurity and AI Strategy with the first course in the series, AI Risk and Opportunity.
Course list
In this course, you will explore the real-world applications of AI while identifying how to evaluate its risks and opportunities across various industries and functions. You'll examine relevant governance frameworks and develop necessary guardrails and oversight measures for safe AI implementation in your organization. Through practical examples and interactive discussions, you'll gain a clearer understanding of how to balance innovation with responsible AI practices. Finally, you will assess both the potential benefits and challenges of AI integration, exploring real-world cases and best practices to develop strategies for implementing appropriate oversight mechanisms.
By the conclusion of this course, you will be equipped with the practical tools to evaluate AI opportunities, apply relevant frameworks, and establish effective oversight measures that align with your organization's goals and compliance requirements.
- Aug 27, 2025
- Oct 22, 2025
- Dec 17, 2025
In this course, you will explore the transformative potential of deepfake technology and its innovative applications across various fields, from educational simulations to creative content production. You'll evaluate both the benefits and potential risks of deepfakes, examining how organizations can leverage this technology responsibly while implementing appropriate safeguards. Through real-world examples, you'll analyze strategies for content authentication and consider emerging best practices for maintaining trust in digital communications. Finally, you will familiarize yourself with existing policy considerations and organizational frameworks.
When the course concludes, you will be able to weigh the importance of innovation versus security, helping you develop balanced approaches that promote innovation while ensuring the responsible implementation of deepfake technology.
You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:
- AI Risk and Opportunity
- Sep 10, 2025
- Nov 5, 2025
- Dec 31, 2025
In this course, you will explore the evolving landscape of cybercrime and its far-reaching impacts on individuals, organizations, and governmental institutions. Through real-world case studies, you'll discover how to identify different types of cyber threats and potential consequences across different sectors. You'll also examine critical warning signs and develop strategies, including whom to contact and when, in the event of a cybercrime.
Building on this foundation, you will analyze key vulnerabilities and identify relevant cybersecurity best practices for your personal or professional life. Ultimately, this course will provide actionable insights to mitigate cybercrime risks and strengthen your security posture, empowering you to enhance your personal and professional digital security measures.
You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:
- AI Risk and Opportunity
- Sep 24, 2025
- Nov 19, 2025
In this course, you will explore the evolving landscape of ransomware and cyber extortion attacks. Through real-world case studies, you'll discover how to determine the differences between ransomware and cyber extortion attacks, understanding their distinct characteristics and overlapping tactics. You‘ll analyze what drives organizations to pay or refuse ransom demands as well as the short- and long-term implications of these decisions. This practical knowledge will help you better understand the threat landscape and develop informed response strategies.
You will also evaluate proven protection and response strategies, including best practices that strengthen your organization's security posture against these threats. Through interactive scenarios and expert insights, you'll develop a comprehensive understanding of how to assess the long-term implications and policies regarding ransomware and cyber extortion. By the end of this course, you'll be able to identify relevant best practices for your personal or professional life for both preventing and responding to ransomware and cyber extortion attempts.
You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:
- AI Risk and Opportunity
- Oct 8, 2025
- Dec 3, 2025
In this course, you will explore the interconnected landscape of critical infrastructure that powers modern society, from healthcare and financial systems to transportation networks and energy grids.. You'll examine diverse threat actors and their motivations for targeting these vital sectors, discovering how to distinguish between criminal activities, espionage, and acts of war through real-world scenarios and expert insights.
Beyond traditional infrastructure, you will discover how emerging technologies reshape our security landscape. As the course progresses, you'll evaluate different policies, frameworks, and resources for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity, gaining practical knowledge to implement protective measures in your organization.
The course extends into emerging frontiers, including IoT networks, VR/AR systems, and space-based technologies, exploring how these innovations both enhance and challenge infrastructure security. The course concludes with a forward-looking analysis of AI's dual role in both emerging threats and defensive capabilities that could impact critical infrastructure systems vital to daily life and national security.
You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:
- AI Risk and Opportunity
- Oct 22, 2025
- Dec 17, 2025
Symposium sessions feature three days of live, highly interactive virtual Zoom sessions that will explore today’s most pressing topics. The AI Symposium offers you a unique opportunity to engage in real-time conversations with peers and experts from the Cornell community and beyond. Using the context of your own experiences, you will take part in reflections and small-group discussions to build on the skills and knowledge you have gained from your courses.
Join us for the next Symposium, in which we’ll share experiences from across the industry, inspiring real-time conversations about best practices, innovation, and the future of AI. You will support your coursework by applying your knowledge and experiences to some of the most pressing topics and trends in the field. By participating in relevant and engaging discussions, you will discover a variety of perspectives and build connections with your fellow participants from across a variety of industries.
All sessions are held on Zoom.
Future dates are subject to change. You may participate in as many sessions as you wish. Attending Symposium sessions is not required to successfully complete any certificate program. Once enrolled in your courses, you will receive information about upcoming events. Accessibility accommodations will be available upon request.
How It Works
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Key Course Takeaways
- Evaluate AI risks, rewards, and responsibilities for individuals and/or organizations
- Evaluate benefits and dangers of deepfake technology
- Examine the impact of cybercrime and understand the options for mitigating and responding to cybercrime crises
- Analyze the context, impact, and best practices related to ransomware and cyber extortion attacks
- Anticipate the current and future impact of AI on critical infrastructure and national security



What You'll Earn
- Cybersecurity and AI Strategy Certificate from Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
- 70 Professional Development Hours (7 CEUs)
Who Should Enroll
- C-suite executives, board members, and policy makers
- General counsel and legal advisors
- Directors and VPs in cybersecurity, information security, and crisis management
- AI engineers and developers
- Data scientists and analysts
- Business strategists and consultants
- Compliance officers
- Infrastructure and regulatory professionals in public and private sectors
- Anyone seeking to understand cybersecurity fundamentals
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Cybersecurity and AI Strategy
Select Payment Method | Cost |
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$3,750 | |