Securing AI Applications: CTF-Style Attack and Defense

As AI applications become central to modern software, they also become prime targets for unique security threats. To effectively secure these systems, you must first understand the mindset and techniques of an attacker. This text-based course guides you through the core principles of AI application security using a Capture the Flag (CTF) methodology. By reading through realistic attack scenarios and analyzing vulnerabilities, you will learn how to identify weaknesses in LLM integrations and implement robust defensive guardrails. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational AI security concepts and the OWASP Top 10 for LLMs. - Analyze common attack vectors including prompt injection, jailbreaking, and data exfiltration. - Read and evaluate CTF-style scenarios to identify vulnerabilities in AI-driven workflows. - Apply defensive techniques such as input sanitization, system prompt hardening, and output validation. - Secure modern AI patterns including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and autonomous agents. - Develop a proactive security mindset to protect both custom-coded and no-code AI applications. The course starts with essential terminology and the fundamentals of AI vulnerabilities before moving into detailed walkthroughs of specific attacks. You will then study the corresponding defensive measures, learning how to analyze, patch, and verify the security of your systems. This course is designed for software developers, AI enthusiasts, and security beginners who want to understand AI-specific threats. No prior security experience is required. Begin reading today to build more resilient and secure AI applications.