Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and Critical Infrastructure
As cyber threats evolve faster than policy, Cyber Focus delivers executive-level briefings on cybersecurity, national security, and critical infrastructure. From the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University, host Frank Cilluffo speaks with senior leaders across government, industry, and the intelligence community about ransomware, state-sponsored threats, AI, and the systems we all rely on—energy, water, telecom, and supply chains. Each episode focuses on real-world risk tradeoffs and practical steps organizations can take to strengthen resilience.
Episodes
Boarding the Dark Fleet: Coast Guard Cyber and Maritime Security with RADM Jason Tama
The maritime world is more connected than ever, creating new efficiencies—and new ways for cyber incidents to move quickly from shore-based networks to ships operating around the globe. Rear Admiral Jason Tama, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command, joins Frank Cilluffo to explain how the Coast Guard operates across military, intelligence, law-enforcement, regulatory, and homeland-security m
Private Sector Cyber Offense: What the New White House Memo Does—and Doesn't Do with Mike McLaughlin
A new White House memorandum aims to bring the private sector more directly into cyber operations against transnational criminal organizations. But turning that policy goal into practice raises immediate questions about legal authority, liability, deconfliction and the risks companies could assume by participating. In this edition of Cyber Focus: To the Point, Frank Cilluffo talks with Mike McLaug
AI, Risk, and the Future of the Federal Workforce with OPM Director Scott Kupor
The federal government is competing for technology and cybersecurity talent at the same time AI is beginning to reshape how that workforce operates. OPM Director Scott Kupor argues that meeting both challenges requires more than new tools or recruiting campaigns: government needs a personnel system that better reflects how people build careers today, rewards performance and adaptability, and creat
How Do You Rebuild Systems That Can't Go Offline? with Peraton's Tom Afferton
Tom Afferton [00:00:00]: If you're introducing security controls or a maintenance activity or modernization that interrupts that operation, then you're no better off than if there was a cyber interruption. Frank Cilluffo [00:00:16]: Welcome to Cyber Focus from the McCrary Institute, where we explore the people and ideas shaping and defending our digital world. I'm your host, Frank Cilluffo, and
Who Will Defend America in the Cyber Age? with Rep. Chrissy Houlahan
Because cybersecurity has become central to national security and military strategy, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan says the United States needs to create a dedicated Cyber Force to prepare for the challenges ahead. Rep. Houlahan joins Frank Cilluffo to discuss why the military must adapt to the cyber age, how AI and strategic competition with China are reshaping national security, and why developing the n
Who Should Control the Airspace Around Critical Infrastructure? with Scott Parker
Drones are a serious operational concern for critical infrastructure owners and operators. In this episode of Cyber Focus, Frank Cilluffo sits down with Scott Parker, founder of Aerisq and former Chief of UAS Security at CISA, to discuss how drone capabilities have changed the risk picture for airports, utilities, chemical facilities, pipelines, prisons, and other sensitive sites. The conversation
How Universities Like Auburn Help Defend the Nation
National security challenges increasingly cut across technology, economic competitiveness, critical infrastructure, manufacturing and workforce development. Universities have a growing role to play not only in conducting research, but also in translating ideas into practical solutions and preparing students to confront real-world problems. Auburn University President Dr. Chris Roberts, McCrary Ins
Why the Human Element Still Matters in Cyber Defense with Nightwing's Chris Jones
AI is changing the speed and scale of cyber conflict, but the burden on defenders remains the same: they have to protect complex systems all the time, while attackers only need one opening. That imbalance is especially urgent as critical infrastructure, intelligence missions, and space systems become more connected, more contested, and harder to secure. Chris Jones, Chief Technology Officer at Nig
The Army's "No Fail" Cyber Mission with Brandon Pugh
Note: This episode was first released on December 2, 2025 This week Army Principal Cyber Advisor Brandon Pugh joins Frank Cilluffo to address a stark reality: if critical infrastructure fails, the Army cannot mobilize. To meet this "no fail" mission, Pugh explains how the service is aggressively merging cyber with electronic warfare and cutting red tape to field new technology in days rather than
Anthropic and the Fight Over Frontier AI Risk with CyberScoop's Greg Otto
As frontier AI models become more capable at finding vulnerabilities, cybersecurity is entering a period where old timelines, disclosure norms, and governance tools may no longer fit the speed of the technology. In this episode of Cyber Focus, Frank Cilluffo speaks with CyberScoop editor-in-chief Greg Otto about the recent controversy surrounding Anthropic's Fable-5 and Mythos 5 models, the govern
Inside the FBI's Push to Disrupt Hackers Before They Strike with Brett Leatherman
In this episode of Cyber Focus, Frank Cilluffo sits down with Brett Leatherman, Assistant Director for Cyber at the FBI, for a wide-ranging conversation about how the Bureau is using law enforcement authorities, intelligence, partnerships, and court-authorized technical operations to disrupt adversaries, help victims, and defend U.S. critical infrastructure. Leatherman explains why the FBI expects
The New AI Executive Order and the Race to Harden America's Systems with Daniel Kroese
A new executive order on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity sends a clear signal: advanced AI now sits at the center of how the United States thinks about cyber defense, national security, critical infrastructure resilience, and strategic competition. In this episode of Cyber Focus, Frank Cilluffo sits down with Daniel Kroese, Vice President of Global Policy at Palo Alto Networks and a Seni
AI Is Not Your Friend: Geoffrey Fowler on Rating AI for Kids
In this episode of Cyber Focus, Frank Cilluffo speaks with Geoffrey Fowler, head of public engagement for the Youth AI Safety Institute at Common Sense Media, about why AI requires a different kind of safety framework than movies, apps, games, or social media. Fowler argues that generative AI is not static content; it is dynamic, conversational, multipurpose, and capable of changing from one inter
Estonia's Lessons for the Cyber Future with Ambassador Kristjan Prikk
For Estonia, cyber resilience is not an abstract policy goal. It is a national survival issue shaped by history, geography, and the reality of living next to Russia. In this episode, Ambassador Kristjan Prikk explains how Estonia turned a lack of legacy infrastructure into a digital advantage, why the 2007 cyberattacks became a strategic wake-up call for the West, and what Ukraine's defense again
Who's Accountable When AI Acts? — With Walter Haydock
In this episode of Cyber Focus, Frank Cilluffo speaks with Walter Haydock, founder of StackAware, about the accountability, governance, and national security challenges emerging as organizations rush to deploy artificial intelligence. Haydock argues that AI does not erase familiar cybersecurity and risk-management problems; it accelerates them. From non-human identities and AI agents to third-part
The End of Human-Speed Cyber: Mythos, Glasswing & the AI Exploit Race with CrowdStrike's Drew Bagley
Cyber defense is entering a machine-speed era. With Anthropic's Mythos and Project Glasswing bringing AI-driven vulnerability discovery and exploit development into the center of the cyber conversation, CrowdStrike's Drew Bagley says organizations need to prepare for a world where vulnerabilities can be found, chained, and exploited faster than traditional patching cycles can handle. Bagley jo
What Most People Get Wrong About Secure Messaging with Signal CTO Ehren Kret
Most people think secure messaging begins and ends with encryption. Signal CTO Ehren Kret says that is only part of the picture. In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Kret to discuss what private communication really requires, from protecting message content to limiting what platforms can learn from metadata, identity, group membership and social graphs. Kret expla
How Idaho National Laboratory Is Building the Future of Infrastructure Security with Zach Tudor
America is asking more from its critical infrastructure just as adversaries are finding more ways to target it. AI, data centers, electrification, and next-generation energy systems all depend on operational technology—the control systems that keep power, water, transportation, and industry moving. As that backbone grows more connected, the stakes of securing it grow even higher. In this episode
Hacking Reputation: Disinformation, Trust, and Cyber Crisis Response with Preston Golson
A cyber incident can damage far more than systems and networks. It can also become a reputational crisis, especially when false or misleading narratives move faster than facts. In this episode of Cyber Focus, Frank Cilluffo speaks with Preston Golson of Brunswick Group about why organizations need to treat reputation as a vulnerability that can be tested, stress-tested, and defended much like any
Cult of the Dead Cow and the Roots of Modern Cyber Ethics with Joe Menn
Cybersecurity's history is often told through breaches, crime, and disruption. Joe Menn argues that the story of early hacker culture also offers something constructive: a model for how technical curiosity, ethical reflection, and independent thinking can shape the public good. Drawing from his work on Cult of the Dead Cow, Menn traces how figures once associated with pranks, underground tools,
From Fax Machines to Quantum: Canada's Sami Khoury Reflects on Three Decades in Cyber
Cybersecurity now reaches far beyond government networks and traditional IT systems. In this episode, Sami Khoury explains how the threat environment increasingly touches critical infrastructure, operational technology, undersea cables, and space—and why that shift is pushing governments to work more closely with private industry and trusted international partners. Drawing on more than three dec
Ukraine, Private Sector Power, and Cyber Defense with Greg Rattray
Ukraine's cyber defense has become one of the clearest real-world tests of what resilience actually looks like under sustained attack. In this episode of Cyber Focus, Greg Rattray explains why Ukrainian defenders held up better than many expected, and what their experience reveals about the limits of prevention, the value of shared visibility, and the growing operational role of the private secto
Transatlantic Reset: Private Sector Diplomacy & Digital Trust with Sébastien Garnault
Overview Transatlantic cyber cooperation is being tested by political strain, regulatory divergence, and competing ideas about sovereignty, trust, and market access. In this episode of Cyber Focus, Sébastien Garnault argues that if the United States and Europe want to keep working together on security, they need to move quickly to make that cooperation practical, especially in critical infrastruct
Keeping the Lights On in the AI Era with DOE's Alex Fitzsimmons
Electricity demand is surging—and DOE's Alex Fitzsimmons argues that the country's ability to "keep the lights on" is now inseparable from how fast we can expand energy infrastructure, how we manage affordability, and how seriously we treat security. In this conversation with Frank Cilluffo, Fitzsimmons, the Acting Under Secretary of Energy and Director of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Sec
Deterrence and the New Cyber Strategy with White House National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross
Cyber deterrence has long lagged behind the threat. In this special episode of Cyber Focus recorded on March 11, 2026, White House National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross argues that the United States can no longer afford a posture built mainly around resilience and response while adversaries, criminal groups, and state-backed proxies operate at low cost and low risk. He presents President Trump's
The Cyber Dimension of the Iran Conflict with Cynthia Kaiser & Mark Montgomery
Cyber is now woven into modern conflict, alongside conventional military force. In this episode, Frank Cilluffo examines how that shift shapes the threat from Iran—especially the risk of cyber retaliation aimed at U.S. critical infrastructure, U.S. businesses, and public confidence. Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies brings a strategic and military len
The Regulatory Shift: How CIRCIA and NIST are Redefining Cyber Defense with Sara Friedman
Cyber incident reporting is about to become mandatory for much of critical infrastructure—and the details are where the fight is. On February 26th, Frank Cilluffo spoke with Inside Cybersecurity managing editor Sara Friedman about CIRCIA's proposed reporting rules, what industry says is overbroad, and why the 72-hour clock is hard in the real world. They also dig into overlap with other federal
Deepfakes & Laptop Farms: How Nation-States Infiltrate the Defense Supply Chain with Luke McNamara
Cyber threats against the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) don't stop at the battlefield—they extend into suppliers, perimeter devices, and even hiring pipelines. Luke McNamara of Google's Threat Intelligence Group joins Frank Cilluffo to unpack Mandiant's report Beyond the Battlefield: Threats to the Defense Intelligence Base and the patterns it flags across today's threat landscape. They discuss h
Botnets, Edge Devices, and AI: Inside Forescout's Threat Findings with Daniel dos Santos
A new wave of cyberattacks is being routed through everyday devices—and defenders can't rely on old assumptions about geography or "known bad" infrastructure. Daniel dos Santos, VP at Vedere Labs (Forescout), walks through findings from their 2025 Threat Roundup, drawn from a global network of hundreds of honeypots and decoy systems. The conversation focuses on why web-facing systems and edge devi
Storms, Cyber, and the Fight to Keep the Lights On with Scott Aaronson
Grid resilience has become a test of whether the U.S. can keep essential systems running through disruption—and recover fast when they don't. In this episode, Frank Cilluffo talks with Scott Aaronson about how the electric power sector plans for and responds to an "all-hazards" landscape, from major storms to cyber and physical attacks. Aaronson explains why the grid is a "network of networks" wit
How Apple's iPhone Supply Chain Built China into a Manufacturing Superpower with Patrick McGee
Supply chains are essential infrastructure—and the iPhone's supply chain sits at the center of U.S.–China competition. As Washington reassesses economic security, this episode explores what it looks like when market incentives collide with geopolitical reality. Frank Cilluffo speaks with Patrick McGee, author of Apple in China, about his reporting on Apple's deep manufacturing reliance on China—an
AI, Critical Infrastructure, and Cascading Failures with Madison Horn
Madison Horn joins host Frank Cilluffo to explain why AI-driven cyber risk may be quieter, faster, and harder to spot in 2026. She breaks down "cascading failures" in critical infrastructure—and how a disruption in one sector can quickly ripple into others. The conversation zeroes in on AI agents, especially their ability to create new user accounts, get access to systems, and hide inside everyd
Cyber Leadership, Workforce Morale, and the House Email Breach with Nextgov's David DiMolfetta
CISA leadership, NSA/Cyber Command staffing, and offensive cyber operations are colliding early in 2026. Frank Cilluffo and reporter David DiMolfetta unpack Sean Plankey's renomination for CISA Director, and what a prolonged leadership vacuum can mean for agency direction and momentum. They then turn to Lt. Gen. Rudd's confirmation hearing and the evolving debate over the Title 10/Title 50 "dual h
The Hammer and the Anvil: Offensive Cyber Strategy with Chris Inglis
Chris Inglis joins Frank Cilluffo to break down what offensive cyber strategy should look like in an era of strategic competition. Drawing from the McCrary Institute's new report on U.S. cyber policy, Inglis argues that resilience and consequences are not competing theories—they have to work together. He explains why "defend forward" and persistent engagement reshaped authorities and expectations
Are We Ready for 2026? Top Cyber Predictions on Policy, Tech, and Threats
Cyber Focus kicks off 2026 (and its 100th new episode) with rapid-fire predictions from McCrary Institute senior fellows. They flag big policy inflection points—especially whether Congress can reauthorize "CISA 2015," sustain information-sharing protections, and keep state and local cybersecurity funding on track. Tech-wise, the group focuses on AI's accelerating integration, the "speed" divide be
AI-Orchestrated Cyber Espionage and the Future of Cyber Defense with CISA's Nick Andersen
AI is speeding up cyber operations and shrinking the window for defenders to respond. Nick Andersen, who leads CISA's Cybersecurity Division, explains why Anthropic's recent report caught attention: it described what Anthropic called the first publicly reported AI-orchestrated cyber espionage campaign, in which threat actors misused its Claude models to automate and scale parts of an intrusion. An
Revisiting Offensive Cyber Discussion with Adm. Mike Rogers (Ret.)
In this re-releases episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Admiral Mike Rogers (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Director of the National Security Agency. Rogers shares insights from his leadership across two administrations, discussing offensive cyber operations, the evolution of Cyber Command, and pressing national security challenges. The conversation spans
The Hidden Backbone of the Internet: Subsea Cable Security with Alex Botting
Undersea cables quietly carry almost all global internet traffic yet rarely feature in security debates. This episode explains how subsea infrastructure underpins the global economy, data flows, and modern military operations while facing frequent "accidental" disruptions and growing geopolitical risk. Listeners hear why chokepoints, island dependencies, and hotspots from the Red Sea to the Taiwan
The Army's "No Fail" Cyber Mission with Brandon Pugh
Army Principal Cyber Advisor Brandon Pugh joins Frank Cilluffo to address a stark reality: if critical infrastructure fails, the Army cannot mobilize. To meet this "no fail" mission, Pugh explains how the service is aggressively merging cyber with electronic warfare and cutting red tape to field new technology in days rather than years. They also discuss the Army's unique edge in this digital figh
Inside State Cyber Defense: Whole-of-State Security with Alabama's Daniel Urquhart and Chad Smith
State and local governments are stepping up to defend critical services against fast-evolving cyber threats. In this episode of Cyber Focus, Alabama's top IT leaders show how they're staying ahead of the curve. They explain how a hybrid, highly decentralized environment forces them to lean on shared standards, SLCGP funding, and whole-of-state partnerships. Along the way, they unpack a recent inc
The Hidden Dangers in Your Supply Chain with SecurityScorecard's Aleksandr Yampolskiy
SecurityScorecard CEO Aleksandr Yampolskiy joins Cyber Focus to warn that third-party risk is now the dominant cybersecurity epidemic. With just 150 companies responsible for 90% of the global attack surface, a single compromise can ripple across sectors and continents. He and host Frank Cilluffo explore the cascading risks of software dependencies, fourth- and fifth-party exposure, and the challe
CVE at a Crossroads: Global Standards, Local Failures, and What Comes Next with Nick Leiserson
Cybersecurity veteran Nick Leiserson joins Cyber Focus this week to break down critical governance gaps in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system and what's at stake if they're not fixed. He and host Frank Cilluffo explore the risks of global fragmentation, the lingering fallout from the F5 breach, and why policy tools like Executive Order 14028 remain stalled. Leiserson warns that
Code Red: Breaking Down China's Cyber Offensive—Volt, Salt, and Flax Typhoon
What do Volt Typhoon, Salt Typhoon, and Flax Typhoon reveal about China's cyber playbook? This episode of Cyber Focus breaks down a new McCrary Institute report on China's advanced persistent threat campaigns—and what they mean for U.S. national security. Frank Cilluffo sits down with Mark Montgomery, Brad Medairy, and Bill Evanina to explain how China is embedding itself in American infrastructur
Fuel, Force, and the Frontlines: Critical Infrastructure in Conflict with Chris Cleary
What if the easiest way to disrupt U.S. military operations isn't with missiles—but by targeting fuel logistics? In this episode, Chris Cleary explains how civilian infrastructure has become a frontline in national defense. He and Frank Cilluffo discuss how adversaries exploit cyber vulnerabilities to slow military response, and why deterrence requires more than just rhetoric. They unpack the case
Cyber Force, ROI, and the Case for Reform with Ed Cardon & Josh Stiefel
Should the U.S. have a dedicated Cyber Force? In this episode, General Ed Cardon and Josh Stiefel examine persistent gaps in the nation's cyber posture, from undefined mission boundaries to unclear return on billions in cyber spending. They explore the organizational tradeoffs, workforce realities, and coordination challenges that have stalled progress, despite years of warnings. With host Frank C
Inside In-Q-Tel: Investing in America's Cyber Future with Katie Gray
Katie Gray, a senior partner at In-Q-Tel, joins host Frank Cilluffo to pull back the curtain on the venture firm's role in advancing U.S. national security through tech innovation. As head of In-Q-Tel's cyber investment practice, Gray offers rare insight into the organization's dual-use investment model, its evolving priorities, and the technologies it believes will define the next 25 years. The
How Scammers Exploit Trust and FOMO: Kicking Off Cybersecurity Awareness Month with Lisa Plaggemier
Lisa Plaggemier, Executive Director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance, joins host Frank Cilluffo to discuss how public education can combat online scams, fraud, and cyber threats. With billions of campaign impressions and only a nine-person team, the Alliance focuses on motivating behavior change through creative, jargon-free outreach. Plaggemier explains how scams like pig butchering are orc
To the Point: The Under the Radar Risk of Letting Counter-Drone Authorities Expire with Matt Hayden
In this episode of Cyber Focus: To the Point, Frank Cilluffo sits down with Matt Hayden, former DHS official and current GDIT executive, to unpack the looming expiration of the Preventing Emerging Threats Act. Together, they explore the growing dangers posed by drones—from hobbyist disruptions to nation-state threats—and what's at stake if Congress fails to reauthorize key counter-UAS authorities
Inside CISA Cuts, ODNI Shifts, and Spyware Threats with Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday
What happens when the federal cyber workforce shrinks just as threats are multiplying? In this episode, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins host Frank Cilluffo to unpack the turbulence facing government agencies. They examine the mass departures at CISA, the controversial firings under DHS's Cyber Talent Management System, and the looming risks of dismantling ODNI's cyber intelligence
Why State and Local Cyber Grants Matter with New Jersey's Michael Geraghty and Arizona's Ryan Murray
Congress faces a looming deadline to renew the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), a federal initiative that helps states and municipalities defend against cyberattacks. In this episode, Frank Cilluffo speaks with New Jersey CISO Michael Geraghty and Arizona CISO Ryan Murray about how these grants are making a measurable difference on the ground. They detail how investments are
Countering Ransomware, CISA 2015, and Active Cyber Defense with Cynthia Kaiser
Overview Cybersecurity threats are growing more complex as ransomware gangs, nation-states, and criminal networks converge. In this episode, Frank Cilluffo speaks with Cynthia Kaiser, senior vice president at Halcyon and former deputy assistant director for cyber at the FBI. They discuss the looming risk if Congress fails to reauthorize the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, the ev
Sen. Gary Peters Sounds the Alarm on CISA 2015 Renewal, Cyber Budget Cuts, and Local Defense Gaps
Congress is back from August recess with just weeks to act on vital national issues. One key deadline: reauthorizing the 2015 law that shields companies when they share threat intelligence with the federal government. In this episode, Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) joins host Frank Cilluffo to explain why renewing CISA 2015 is essential to national security, how one senator is holding up progress, an
Can Congress Keep Up with AI? Sarah Beth Jansen & Austin Carson on Policy and Innovation
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo moderates a timely and wide-ranging conversation on the future of AI policy and governance with Sarah Beth Jansen, a senior fellow at the McCrary Institute and longtime DC policy expert, and Austin Carson, founder of SeedAI and former legislative director for Rep. Mike McCaul. The discussion covers the Trump administration's AI Action Plan, secto
Ports, Cranes, and Zero Trust: Defending U.S. OT — w/ Booz Allen's Brad Medairy & Dave Forbes
In this episode of Cyber Focus, Frank Cilluffo is joined by Brad Medairy, Executive Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton, and Dave Forbes, who leads Cyber Physical Defense for the firm. Together, they unpack their joint report with the McCrary Institute, Anchored in Zero Trust, examining the cybersecurity vulnerabilities of U.S. ports. The conversation explores China's cyber activities, the sig
Black Hat 2025: CISA's Playbook for Defending Critical Systems with Chris Butera and Bob Costello
In this special Cyber Focus episode recorded at Black Hat 2025, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with two senior leaders from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): Chris Butera, a more than decade-long CISA veteran currently serving as Acting Director of the Cybersecurity Division, and Bob Costello, the agency's Chief Information Officer. They discuss how CISA is adapting its m
Hacktivism, Quantum Threats, and the Future of OT Security with Forescout CEO Barry Mainz
Forescout CEO Barry Mainz joins host Frank Cilluffo to unpack the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape—from nation-state hacktivism to post-quantum vulnerabilities. Mainz highlights how adversaries are leveraging crowdsourced expertise and agentic AI to target critical infrastructure, especially operational technology (OT) systems in sectors like water, energy, and healthcare. The conversation
Power, Security, and the Infrastructure of Tomorrow with Power Podcast Host Aaron Larson
In this special crossover edition of Cyber Focus and the Power Podcast, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Aaron Larson to explore the evolving intersection of energy innovation and cybersecurity. From breakthroughs in small modular reactors and geothermal technologies to the power demands of AI and electric vehicles, they examine how the U.S. grid is being reshaped by both opportunity and threat.
Inside the UK's Cyber Strategy: Richard Horne on Resilience, Risk, and AI
Richard Horne, CEO of the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), joins host Frank Cilluffo to explore how the UK is strengthening cyber resilience across critical infrastructure, private industry, and international partnerships. Drawing from his experience in both government and the private sector, Horne outlines NCSC's approach to tackling advanced threats, closing resilience gap
NSA vs. Zero-Days: Kristina Walter on Speed, Scale, and Stopping Cyber Threats
Kristina Walter, Director of the NSA's Cybersecurity Collaboration Center, joins Frank Cilluffo to explain how the NSA is building trusted partnerships with private industry to counter advanced cyber threats. Walter shares how collaborative work with defense contractors and tech providers has helped uncover zero-day vulnerabilities, block billions of malicious domains, and expose Chinese operati
Hacking the Harvest: Jonathan Braley on Ransomware, GPS Disruption, and Securing U.S. Agriculture
In this episode of Cyber Focus, Frank Cilluffo sits down with Jonathan Braley, Director of the Food and Agriculture Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Food and Ag-ISAC), to explore the growing cybersecurity threats facing the U.S. food and agriculture sector. They examine the integration of operational technology (OT), the rise in ransomware attacks on farms and food producers, and the fragi
Cyber Warfare, Workforce, and Fixing the System: Top House Chairmen on the Digital Threat
In this special Independence Day episode of Cyber Focus, we bring together highlights from three influential House leaders shaping U.S. cyber policy: Chairman Mark Green (Homeland Security), Chairman Mike Rogers (Armed Services), and Chairman Rick Crawford (Intelligence). From digital warfare and offensive cyber capabilities to workforce development and interagency reform, this episode offers a ra
Iran, Ceasefires, and Cyber Threats: A Briefing with General Frank McKenzie (Ret.)
In this urgent episode of Cyber Focus recorded June 24, 2025, host Frank Cilluffo speaks with retired General Frank McKenzie, former Commander of U.S. Central Command and Executive Director of the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida. The discussion focuses on the unfolding crisis between Iran and Israel, recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, a
To the Point: Iran's Cyber Threat After Israel's Strikes
As tensions explode between Israel and Iran, what cyber threats could hit the U.S. next? In this urgent episode of To the Point, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery—cybersecurity expert and longtime Solarium Commission leader—to assess the growing risk of Iranian cyberattacks on U.S. critical infrastructure. With Iran and its proxies already escalating digital aggress
"We Are in a State of Digital Warfare": Chairman Rick Crawford on the Cyber Frontlines
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Congressman Rick Crawford, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. They explore the evolving cyber threat landscape—from Chinese infiltration of U.S. supply chains to the rise of paramilitary cartels leveraging advanced digital tools. Crawford shares his perspective on offensive cyber capabilities, domesti
Splitting Commands, Building Capabilities: DefenseScoop's Mark Pomerleau on the DoD's Cyber Future
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Mark Pomerleau, senior reporter for DefenseScoop, to discuss the evolving landscape of U.S. cyber operations and military doctrine. Pomerleau unpacks the ongoing debate over splitting NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, the rising role of offensive cyber capabilities, and what "Cybercom 2.0" might look like in practice. He also explores
Space Is the Battlefield: Deterrence, Hypersonics, and China's Threat with ULA CEO Tory Bruno
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Tory Bruno, President and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), which is responsible for more than 90% of U.S. national security space launches. Bruno discusses the escalating threat landscape in space, the urgency of a layered missile defense architecture known as the "Golden Dome," and how adversaries like China may initiate futur
OT Under Threat: Dragos' Robert M. Lee on Navigating Cyber-Physical Risks
Originally Released September 11, 2024 In this episode of Cyber Focus we're revisiting the conversation Frank Cilluffo had last September with Robert M. Lee. Rob is the CEO and co-founder of Dragos, a leading firm in industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) cybersecurity. Rob unpacks the real-world consequences of cyber-enabled threats to physical infrastructure, inclu
When Fraud Meets Cyber: The Retail Sector's Expanding Risk Landscape with NRF's Christian Beckner
In this episode of the Cyber Focus podcast, recorded on April 30 at the RSA Conference in San Francisco, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Christian Beckner, Vice President of Retail Technology and Cybersecurity at the National Retail Federation. Beckner provides a wide-ranging look at how cybersecurity, fraud, and emerging technologies are reshaping the retail landscape. They discuss how threat
The One-Way Street of Digital Transformation: OT Cybersecurity with Nozomi's Edgard Capdevielle
In this special RSA Conference edition of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Edgard Capdevielle, President and CEO of Nozomi Networks, to unpack the evolving landscape of operational technology (OT) cybersecurity. Together, they explore how digital transformation and the convergence of IT and OT are reshaping the threat environment for critical infrastructure. Capdevielle outlines the
The AI Energy Surge: Jason Plautz on Grid Strain and National Stakes
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with award-winning journalist Jason Plautz of Politico's E&E News Energywire to explore the growing tension between artificial intelligence, energy demand, and infrastructure readiness. Plautz breaks down how AI-driven data centers are reshaping the U.S. power grid—and what state and federal leaders are doing in response. The conversati
Agentic AI, the Future of CISA and International Cyber Strategy: Key Takeaways from RSAC 2025
Recorded on May 1, 2025, at the RSA Conference in San Francisco, this special Cyber Focus episode brings together government, industry, and policy leaders for an insider look at the key takeaways from the biggest cybersecurity event of the year. Frank Cilluffo sits down with David Colberg, a longtime RSA leader and architect of the conference's policy programming, to discuss how RSAC is shaping gl
Live from RSAC 2025: Cyber Threats, Red Lines, and the China Challenge with Rob Joyce
On this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Rob Joyce, former NSA Cybersecurity Director and longtime leader in national cyber operations, to unpack some of the most pressing cybersecurity threats facing the United States today. Recorded live at RSA, the discussion ranges from Chinese pre-positioning in critical infrastructure to the blurred lines between espionage and cyber
Cyber Focus Presents: To the Point - Episode 1 - with Chris Inglis and George Barnes
To the Point is a new video series from the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security, found here at Threat Beat. Hosted by McCrary Institute Director Frank Cilluffo, the series delivers fast-moving, high-impact conversations with top national security and cybersecurity leaders. Each episode tackles big ideas with clarity and urgency — getting straight to the point. In this
How Storytelling Shapes Strategy: Peter W. Singer on China, Cyber, and the Future of Conflict
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo speaks with Peter W. Singer, strategist at New America, professor at Arizona State, and founder of Useful Fiction. They revisit Singer's influential book Ghost Fleet and examine how the strategic landscape—particularly U.S.-China competition—has shifted over the past decade. Singer discusses China's military reorganization and the lessons it's d
Rethinking Offensive Cyber: Strategy, Deterrence, and Real-World Impact with Adm. Mike Rogers (Ret.)
Overview: In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Admiral Mike Rogers (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Director of the National Security Agency. Rogers shares insights from his leadership across two administrations, discussing offensive cyber operations, the evolution of Cyber Command, and pressing national security challenges. The conversation spans fr
Cyber, Space, and the Future of Warfare with Rep. Mike Rogers
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo speaks with Congressman Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Representing Alabama's 3rd District, Rogers outlines his top defense priorities, including boosting defense spending, acquisition reform, and preparing for cyber and space warfare. He also shares insights on missile defense, the strategic role of Huntsville, the
Can America's Travel System Handle What's Coming? U.S. Travel's Ryan Propis on the Road Ahead
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo speaks with Ryan Propis, Vice President for Security and Facilitation at the U.S. Travel Association. With the U.S. preparing to host the World Cup in 2026 and the Olympics in 2028, Propis outlines how these massive international events will test the limits of our country's travel infrastructure and security systems. Drawing on his experience as
Threat Intelligence and AI's role in Cyber Defense with Palo Alto's Andy Piazza and Daniel Kroese
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Andy Piazza, a senior threat intelligence leader at Unit 42, and Daniel Kroese, a cybersecurity policy expert, both from Palo Alto Networks. They discuss key findings from Palo Alto Networks' 2025 Global Incident Response Report, highlighting the accelerating speed of cyberattacks, the growing use of AI in both offense and defense,
Legacy Systems and the Future of Manufacturing Security with Bill Rucker
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Bill Rucker, a seasoned veteran in IT and cybersecurity, currently leading Trustwave Government Solutions. They explore the insights from Trustwave's recent report on cybersecurity challenges facing the manufacturing sector. Rucker highlights the rapidly rising costs of breaches, now averaging $5.8 million, emphasizing vulnerabilit
China, Clean Energy and the Future of U.S. Energy Security with Harry Krejsa
In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Harry Krejsa, Director of Studies at Carnegie Mellon University's Institute for Strategy and Technology. Krejsa, a former Pentagon and White House cyber strategist, discusses his latest report, Sunshield, which highlights the intersection of cybersecurity, U.S.-China competition, and grid security. The conversation explores how Chi
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