When does class start/end?
Class hours may vary, please reach out to contact@ascendientlearning.com if you have any questions.
Guardrails for AI Applications
As organizations deploy more AI and agentic systems, controlling behavior, safety, and compliance becomes critical. This AI Guardrails course teaches learners how to design and implement guardrails...
Read MoreOverview
As organizations deploy more AI and agentic systems, controlling behavior, safety, and compliance becomes critical.
This AI Guardrails course teaches learners how to design and implement guardrails for LLM-based and agentic applications, from prompt-level controls to runtime policy enforcement and monitoring. Through hands-on labs, learners implement content filters, policy checks, tool-use constraints, and human-in-the-loop mechanisms so that AI systems behave safely and predictably in real-world environments.
Skills Gained
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain key categories of risks in LLM and agentic applications
- Design prompt-level and system-level guardrails for specific use cases
- Implement runtime guardrails using popular frameworks and SDKs
- Add guardrails around tool use, memory, and planning in agentic workflows
- Iteratively test and improve guardrails in production-like environments
Who Can Benefit
- Cybersecurity
- DevOps
- Software Developers
- Data Scientists
Prerequisites
- Comfort writing Python code and working in developer interfaces
- Practical cybersecurity experience and/or hold a major cybersecurity certification (e.g., Security+, CISSP)
- Foundational knowledge of generative AI, prompt engineering, retrieval augmented generation, and GenAI development patterns (Covered by GAI-1101 Agentic AI Engineer Accelerator or similar)
Course Details
Software
No software!
Guardrails Fundamentals for LLM and Agentic Systems
- Risk landscape: prompt injection, data leakage, jailbreaks
- Threat modeling with MITRE ATLAS
- Types of guardrails: input/output filtering, policy enforcement
- Guardrail locations: prompts, code, infrastructure
- Tradeoffs: strictness vs. usability
- Defense-in-depth planning
- Lab - Mapping Risks for a Sample AI App
- Lab - Breaking an Unguarded Agent
Prompt-Level Guardrails and System Prompts
- Using system and developer messages for constraints
- Structured prompts and templates
- Prompt patterns for refusal and escalation
- Reducing prompt injection risk
- Context isolation strategies
- Lab - Designing Guarded Prompts
- Lab - Testing Adversarial Prompts
Content and Policy Guardrails in Code
- Input/output validation and policy checks
- Integrating content safety tools
- Policy layers: allow/deny lists, role restrictions
- Handling violations: messaging, logging, escalation
- Structured output enforcement
- Lab - Implementing Content Filters Around an LLM API
- Lab - Enforcing Structured Output and Rejection Logic
Guardrails for Agentic Workflows (Tools, Memory, and Planning)
- Risks in agentic systems: tool use, memory, planning
- ATLAS case studies and threat patterns
- Constraining tool access and usage
- Guardrails for memory and retention
- Supervising planning and execution
- Lab - Constraining an Agent’s Tool Use
- Lab - Implementing Memory and Planning Guardrails
Testing, Evaluating, and Monitoring Guardrails
- Designing and automating guardrail tests
- Metrics for effectiveness: block rates, false positives
- Logging and monitoring guardrail events
- Guardrail drift and evaluation
- Observability and audit hooks
- Lab - Building a Guardrail Test Harness
- Lab - Tuning Guardrails and Calibrating Thresholds
Governance, Compliance, and Operationalization
- Aligning guardrails with policies and regulations
- Documenting strategies and responsibilities
- Human-in-the-loop review patterns
- Roadmap for evolving guardrails
- Secure handling and incident response
- Lab - Creating a Guardrail Runbook and Rollout Plan
- Lab - Implementing a Human-in-the-Loop Approval Workflow
Schedule
FAQ
Does the course schedule include a Lunchbreak?
Classes typically include a 1-hour lunch break around midday. However, the exact break times and duration can vary depending on the specific class. Your instructor will provide detailed information at the start of the course.
What languages are used to deliver training?
Most courses are conducted in English, unless otherwise specified. Some courses will have the word "FRENCH" marked in red beside the scheduled date(s) indicating the language of instruction.
What does GTR stand for?
GTR stands for Guaranteed to Run; if you see a course with this status, it means this event is confirmed to run. View our GTR page to see our full list of Guaranteed to Run courses.
How do I find an Ascendient Learning training location?
We have training locations across the United States and Canada - View a complete list of classroom training locations.
Which delivery formats are available?
At Ascendient Learning, we offer training that is Instructor-Led, Online, Virtual, and Self-Paced.
Does Ascendient Learning deliver group training?
Yes, we provide training for groups, individuals and private on sites. View our group training page for more information.
What does vendor-authorized training mean?
As a vendor-authorized training partner, we offer a curriculum that our partners have vetted. We use the same course materials and facilitate the same labs as our vendor-delivered training. These courses are considered the gold standard and, as such, are priced accordingly.
Is the training too basic, or will you go deep into technology?
It depends on your requirements, your role in your company, and your depth of knowledge. The good news about many of our learning paths, you can start from the fundamentals to highly specialized training.
How up-to-date are your courses and support materials?
We continuously work with our vendors to evaluate and refresh course material to reflect the latest training courses and best practices.
Are your instructors seasoned trainers who have deep knowledge of the training topic?
Ascendient Learning instructors have an average of 27 years of practical IT experience and have also served as consultants for an average of 15 years. To stay current, instructors spend at least 25 percent of their time learning new, emerging technologies and courses.
Do you provide hands-on training and exercises in an actual lab environment?
Lab access is dependent on the vendor and the type of training you sign up for. However, many of our top vendors will provide lab access to students to test and practice. The course description will specify lab access.
Will you customize the training for our company’s specific needs and goals?
We will work with you to identify training needs and areas of growth. We offer a variety of training methods, such as private group training, on-site of your choice, and virtually. We provide courses and certifications that are aligned with your business goals.
How do I get started with certification?
Getting started on a certification pathway depends on your goals and the vendor you choose to get certified in. Many vendors offer entry-level IT certification to advanced IT certification that can boost your career. To get access to certification vouchers and discounts, please contact info@ascendientlearning.com.
Will I get access to content after I complete a course?
You will get access to the PDF of course books and guides, but access to the recording and slides will depend on the vendor and type of training you receive.
How do I request a W9 for Ascendient Learning?
View our filing status and how to request a W9.
Reviews
very good and spcecific course and above all a very good instructor. In few days I have learned a lot.
They are very good and made sure we had all the appropriate materials for class.
You get detailed labs to guide you through the technical material giving you a hands on method of learning otherwise difficult material.
Brandon was a great instructor. The virtual course materials and labs provided were very informative.
Quick to sign-up to course, and was able to garner some information from the course.
