Dragos Names Rob T. Lee Chief AI Officer
The industrial cybersecurity vendor has appointed a longtime SANS Institute leader to guide AI adoption and security in operational technology.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
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Dragos, a vendor of xOT cybersecurity solutions, has appointed Rob T. Lee as its initial Chief AI Officer. Lee joins from SANS Institute, where he spent more than 25 years developing and teaching security courses and most recently led the institute's AI work.
Why it matters
Industrial organizations are adopting AI faster than OT-specific guidance is being written, and Dragos says the impact of AI on its customers and their operations has not been fully explored. The role is intended to address that gap for critical infrastructure operators across the United States.
Lee brings more than 25 years of experience at SANS Institute, where he developed and taught security courses before leading its AI work. Dragos has not disclosed the size of any team Lee will oversee or the budget allocated to the new role.
The players
Rob T. Lee
Rob T. Lee is a longtime cybersecurity educator and researcher who spent more than 25 years at SANS Institute and previously served as its Chief AI Officer and Chief of Research.
Dragos
Dragos is an industrial cybersecurity company that provides xOT security solutions for operational technology environments in critical infrastructure.
SANS Institute
SANS Institute is a cybersecurity training and research organization best known for its security courses and certifications.
The details
Lee will advise customers and executive leadership on adopting and securing AI in operational technology, and will lead research and thought leadership on the subject. He will work with AI industry partners and developers to bring OT expertise to AI built and applied in critical infrastructure, alongside Dragos's customer experience and services teams, reporting to Founder, Chairman, and CEO Robert M. Lee.
Timeline
Lee co-authored a Cloud Security Alliance strategy briefing on AI-driven vulnerability discovery in 2026.
Dragos announced Lee's appointment as Chief AI Officer on November 4, 2026.
Market Landscape
Lee's move from SANS Institute to Dragos reflects a broader pattern of security training and research talent shifting into industrial vendors as AI adoption expands. The appointment positions Dragos to compete on AI-specific OT expertise against other industrial cybersecurity providers.
For operators of industrial facilities across the United States, the appointment signals that OT-specific AI security guidance is becoming a dedicated vendor focus. Customers may see new advisory services and research from Dragos as AI tools are deployed in critical infrastructure.
The takeaway
Organizations deploying AI in industrial environments should look for vendors that treat OT security as a distinct discipline, rather than applying general AI guidance to plants and critical systems.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage for context on executive moves in the business sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Industrial Cyber.
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