As artificial intelligence reshapes cyber risk across regulated industries, SANS Institute, St. Clair College, and siberX are announcing a new partnership that brings an executive education program to Canada's South this October 2026.
This collaboration will introduce NOW // AI, an immersive executive program designed to equip leaders with the skills needed to make fast, defensible decisions as AI transforms cyber risk, regulatory pressures, and enterprise value.
"Organizations in finance, critical infrastructure, and the public sector are being asked to adopt AI without the governance structures to manage it responsibly," said Rob T. Lee, Chief AI Officer at SANS Institute. "NOW // AI gives leaders a structured environment to test their decisions under realistic conditions, grounded in the SANS AI Blueprint and its framework for protecting, utilizing, and governing AI."
As part of the program, participants will engage in a full-day, instructor-led SANS war room simulation, complemented by an interactive cyber-range environment built around realistic AI incidents.
NOW // AI places executives directly inside high-pressure, real-world scenarios. Participants will confront live, AI-driven cyber incidents, manage cascading regulatory and reputational consequences, and make time-sensitive decisions that have immediate implications for organizational performance and value.
"This partnership represents a significant step forward in executive cybersecurity education," said Mahdi Raza, CEO & Founder, siberX. "By combining SANS' global expertise, St. Clair College's regional leadership in applied learning, and siberX's innovation in immersive experiences, we are creating a program that prepares leaders for the realities of AI-driven risk."
siberX is a Canadian cybersecurity company specializing in immersive executive simulations, national cyber exercises, and high-trust leadership experiences that mirror real-world crisis conditions.
"This collaboration also builds momentum toward the NOW//AI event taking place in Toronto on May 27, where industry leaders will come together to explore the future of AI, cybersecurity, and executive resilience," Raza added.
By replacing theory with action, the program mirrors the intensity and ambiguity of real-world cyber crises, providing leaders with practical experience in responding to complex, fast-moving threats.
This program is designed for executives, managers, and technical leaders in highly regulated sectors such as finance, critical infrastructure, and the public sector.
According to SANS's 2026 Workforce Research Report, 27 per cent of organizations have tied a recent breach to internal skills gaps, with AI security among the most acute capability deficits. It combines executive briefings, industry-specific scenarios, and hands-on cyber-range exercises that reflect today's AI threat.
"This initiative reflects our commitment to delivering industry-relevant education that prepares professionals to lead in rapidly evolving digital environments, particularly in areas as critical as AI and cybersecurity," said Michael Silvaggi, President of St. Clair College. "In parallel, our upcoming Border Tech Expo hosted with siberX will further showcase innovation and collaboration across the sector, creating even more opportunities for leaders to engage with emerging technologies and ideas."
The SANS Institute is the global leader in cybersecurity training and certifications, trusted by governments, enterprises, and security professionals worldwide. For over three decades, SANS has set the industry standard for technical excellence, equipping practitioners with the real-world skills needed to defend today's most complex digital environments.
As cybersecurity evolves, SANS continues to lead the way, defining best practices and establishing the global benchmark for AI security and emerging technologies.
Participants will complete a full-day, SANS-led training focused on real-world application, with performance evaluated through decision-making in simulations demonstrating practical capability in AI risk, governance, and incident response.
Windsor-Essex is a natural setting for this program, with its concentration of manufacturing, financial services, and public sector organizations that face increasing AI governance requirements. The program is designed for senior executives, board members, and decision-makers from the region and surrounding communities.
Participants who successfully complete the program earn a SANS × siberX badge and certificate based on demonstrated application of AI risk management, security, and governance principles.
Registration details and program dates will be announced in the coming months.
