Vectra AI launches global scholarship in AI & cyber

Vectra AI has launched the Vectra AI Scholars Program, offering scholarships and mentorship opportunities aimed at inspiring future talent in the fields of AI and cybersecurity.

The newly announced programme is designed for students at various educational levels, from secondary school to graduate studies, who are interested in developing AI-driven solutions within the cybersecurity sector. The initiative seeks to address the urgent need for skilled professionals capable of handling sophisticated threats and an expanding hybrid attack surface.

Hitesh Sheth, CEO and founder of Vectra AI, emphasised the importance of the scholarship, stating, "We believe the next generation of innovators will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cybersecurity. This scholarship program is designed to inspire students from around the world to explore how AI can uncover patterns in attacker behavior and solve some of the most complex challenges in digital security. By investing in their creativity and ingenuity, we hope to empower young minds to push the boundaries of what's possible in the fight against threats."

The programme encourages students to submit essays or research proposals that focus on the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Entries must demonstrate creative solutions to using AI in identifying attacker behaviour across complex digital environments.

Submissions will be judged based on several criteria, which include the potential impact on the cybersecurity industry, the uniqueness of the concept, and its feasibility in practical applications. The top winner will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship, while two runners-up will each receive $5,000. In addition, all winning individuals will gain mentorship from Vectra AI experts, providing career guidance and assistance in refining their ideas for real-world applications.

The scholars program is accessible to students currently enrolled in high school, undergraduate, or graduate programmes residing in eligible countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and several others across Europe and Asia. Participants are expected to have an expressed interest in AI and cybersecurity through their project work.

Applications are currently open, with the deadline set for 31 March 2025. Students wishing to apply can find more details regarding submission requirements and judging criteria on the Vectra AI website.

Vectra AI specialises in AI driven extended detection and response (XDR). The Vectra AI Platform delivers integrated signal across public cloud, SaaS, identity, and data center networks in a single platform. Vectra AI's patented Attack Signal Intelligence empowers security teams to rapidly detect, prioritise, investigate and stop the most advanced hybrid cyber-attacks. With 35 patents in AI-driven detection and the most vendor references in MITRE D3FEND, organisations worldwide rely on the Vectra AI Platform and MDR services to move at the speed and scale of hybrid attackers.