AI and Hacking Proliferation

Overview

This intensive one-day course examines how artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities are reshaping global security.

We begin with Session 1: Cyber Proliferation, which explores how cyber espionage tools have become accessible to a wide range of actors through commercial markets.  The session investigates the demand for private hacking services, analyses real-world surveillance contracts to show how these deals are structured, and examines the policies and regulations designed to limit their spread.

Sessions 2 & 3: Dark AI – A Dangerous Accelerant focus on how artificial intelligence is being used to amplify cyber threats. We examine how malicious actors are using large language models (LLMs) to enhance hacking operations, including methods for bypassing built-in safeguards. The discussion also covers the dual-use challenges of synthetic media, particularly deepfakes, and the emerging risk of fully autonomous cyber attacks. You will gain a clear understanding of how recent AI advancements are escalating cyber threats.

Finally, Session 4: AI & Cyber Defence – A Game Changer? Looks at the role of AI in strengthening defences. We explore how AI supports behaviour analytics, network monitoring and vulnerability detection, and consider how agentic AI systems are being integrated into security operation centres.

By the end of the course, you will have a clear understanding of technologies and tactics reshaping the cyber landscape, and the risk and opportunities they present for organisations and society.

Programme details

Session 1: Cyber Proliferation

This session looks at how cyber espionage capabilities have spread to numerous countries through commercial transactions. We first explore the conditions that created demand for private hacking products and services. We then analyse a contract from a commercial surveillance vendor to understand how these hacking transactions are structured. Finally, we explore the measures that are being deployed to limit their spread.

Sessions 2 & 3: Dark AI: A Dangerous Accelerant

This session explores the impact of artificial intelligence on offensive cyber operations. We will survey how large language models (LLMs) are being used by malicious actors to aid their hacking operations. We will consider the availability of such models, guardrail circumvention, and the dual-use nature of synthetic media (deepfakes). Finally, we will examine the possibility of fully autonomous offensive cyber capabilities. At the end of this session you will understand how rapid AI advances are impacting hacking.

Session 4: AI & Cyber Defence: A Game Changer?

This session examines the impact of artificial intelligence on cyber defence. We start by considering the long history of cyber security companies using AI to detect malicious content, before considering the benefits of AI across the industry. Then we assess how tools like behaviour and network analytics, as well as vulnerability analysis has benefitted from AI. Finally, we consider agentic approaches and their impacts on cyber defence, particularly within security operations centres.

This course can be taken separately or as part of our Cyber Security for Business Discount Week (29 June - 3 July 2026).

Attending Your Course 

Further details will be emailed to you two weeks ahead of your course, this will include registration information and an overview of the course timetable.

Please get in touch if you have not received this information within five working days of the course start date. 

In the meantime, you may wish to plan your travel: Travel information

Certification

In order to be eligible for a certificate of attendance, you will need to attend the whole course. Participants who meet this criterion will be emailed after the end of the course with a link, and instructions on how to access their University of Oxford digital certificate. 

The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate, as well as share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Fees

Description Costs
Standard course fee £745.00

Payment

Fees include course materials, tuition, refreshments and lunches. The price does not include accommodation.

All courses are VAT exempt.

Register immediately online 

Click the 'Book now' button on this webpage. Payment by credit or debit card is required.

Request an invoice

If you require an invoice for your company or organisation, please email us to request an online application form.  

Payment is then accepted online, by credit/debit card, or by bank transfer. 

Tutor

Dr Craig Jarvis

Dr Craig Jarvis is a recognised industry leader and academic in cybersecurity, with a distinguished career spanning technical, strategic and executive leadership roles.

He brings substantial industry experience, most notably serving as Chief Technology Officer at DXC Security - then the world’s largest provider of security services. In this role, he was joint second-in-command of a $1 billion annual revenue business comprising over 4,000 cybersecurity professionals and 16 security operations centres. His responsibilities encompassed enterprise leadership, technology strategy, and portfolio development.

During his tenure, Craig founded DXC Security Labs, leading innovation in cybersecurity research and development. He also established a strategic cyber threat intelligence function and launched a cyber-physical systems security division, which generated a $50 million sales pipeline within its first year.

Craig has worked across all major industry sectors. His engagements have included advising energy companies during nation-state breach responses, enhancing hospital resilience strategies, and supporting government agencies with cybersecurity transformation. Most of his time is now spent in financial services, where he advises major banks and private equity firms on cybersecurity strategy, architecture, and due diligence.

A long-standing expert in security operations, Craig spent many years in his early career as a forensic and threat intelligence analyst, leading breach investigations and countering advanced threat actors. He engineered systems to monitor malicious actors within compromised systems. 

In addition to his industry contributions, Craig is a researcher and academic. He lectures at leading institutions including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Royal Holloway. He has delivered training to business executives and technical leaders from some of the world’s most prestigious organisations.

Craig holds a PhD in cybersecurity, as well as master’s degrees in international security, information security and digital forensics, and classical music. He studied at institutions including the University of Oxford, King’s College London, and Royal Holloway.

His forthcoming book, Cyber Terrorism: Extremism & Hacking, will be published in 2026. He is the author of CryptoWars: The Fight for Privacy in the Digital Age and has contributed to Next Generation Enterprise Security. His academic research has been published in respected peer-reviewed journals, including Intelligence and National Security.

As a member of the Offensive Cyber Working Group's College of Experts, Craig plays an active role in shaping research in offensive cybersecurity. He is also the founding chair of the Geopolitics-Cyber Community of London Experts (GeoCyclone), an organisation bringing together business leaders, academics, and policy makers to share knowledge on national security and digital technologies.

Craig is active on LinkedIn, often posting details of upcoming courses and ongoing research.

Application

If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying, please click 'Ask a Question' at the top of this page. 

Accommodation

Although not included in the course fee, accommodation may be available at our on-site Rewley House Residential Centre. All bedrooms are en suite and decorated to a high standard, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

To check prices, availability and to book rooms please visit the Rewley House Residential Centre website. 

Enrolled students are entitled to discounted accommodation rates for the purpose of study, at Rewley House, and can contact the administration team for the promotional code to use for making online accommodation bookings via the website.