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Can Congress Keep Up with AI? Sarah Beth Jansen & Austin Carson on Policy and Innovation show art Can Congress Keep Up with AI? Sarah Beth Jansen & Austin Carson on Policy and Innovation

Cyber Focus

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, sector-specific regulatory approaches, and how Congress can play a constructive role without stifling innovation. Both guests emphasize the importance of local experimentation, procurement reform, and...

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Ports, Cranes, and Zero Trust: Defending U.S. OT — w/ Booz Allen’s Brad Medairy & Dave Forbes show art Ports, Cranes, and Zero Trust: Defending U.S. OT — w/ Booz Allen’s Brad Medairy & Dave Forbes

Cyber Focus

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 significance of Volt Typhoon, and the risks posed by Chinese-made cranes operating at American ports. They highlight how economic and national security intersect at ports, the unique challenges of...

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Black Hat 2025: CISA’s Playbook for Defending Critical Systems with Chris Butera and Bob Costello show art Black Hat 2025: CISA’s Playbook for Defending Critical Systems with Chris Butera and Bob Costello

Cyber Focus

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 mission in the face of evolving threats, budget pressures, and leadership changes, while maintaining a rapid operational tempo. Topics include the agency’s fast-turn vulnerability response through...

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Hacktivism, Quantum Threats, and the Future of OT Security with Forescout CEO Barry Mainz show art Hacktivism, Quantum Threats, and the Future of OT Security with Forescout CEO Barry Mainz

Cyber Focus

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 explores Forescout's research on hacktivist proxy groups, the growing danger posed by embedded and aging devices, and the urgency of preparing for post-quantum cryptographic threats. Mainz...

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Power, Security, and the Infrastructure of Tomorrow with Power Podcast Host Aaron Larson show art Power, Security, and the Infrastructure of Tomorrow with Power Podcast Host Aaron Larson

Cyber Focus

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. Larson draws on his background in nuclear power and conversations with top industry leaders to highlight the promise of emerging energy sources—and the urgent need to bake in security from the...

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Inside the UK’s Cyber Strategy: Richard Horne on Resilience, Risk, and AI show art Inside the UK’s Cyber Strategy: Richard Horne on Resilience, Risk, and AI

Cyber Focus

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 gaps, and collaborating with allies on systemic cyber defense. The conversation spans ransomware, AI, supply chain risk, quantum cryptography, and how organizations—large and small—can better...

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NSA vs. Zero-Days: Kristina Walter on Speed, Scale, and Stopping Cyber Threats show art NSA vs. Zero-Days: Kristina Walter on Speed, Scale, and Stopping Cyber Threats

Cyber Focus

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 operations like Volt Typhoon. She also discusses the role of AI in cyber defense, the race to prepare for quantum computing, and why resilience—not perfection—is the new benchmark for critical...

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Hacking the Harvest: Jonathan Braley on Ransomware, GPS Disruption, and Securing U.S. Agriculture show art Hacking the Harvest: Jonathan Braley on Ransomware, GPS Disruption, and Securing U.S. Agriculture

Cyber Focus

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 fragile nature of supply chain cybersecurity. Braley highlights why even small farms are increasingly targeted and how awareness, threat intelligence sharing, and proactive cyber defense strategies are...

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Cyber Warfare, Workforce, and Fixing the System: Top House Chairmen on the Digital Threat show art Cyber Warfare, Workforce, and Fixing the System: Top House Chairmen on the Digital Threat

Cyber Focus

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 rare look into how Congress is working to strengthen national security in the digital age. Listen to their full interviews: • Rick Crawford – We Are in a State of Digital Warfare • Mike Rogers...

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Iran, Ceasefires, and Cyber Threats: A Briefing with General Frank McKenzie (Ret.) show art Iran, Ceasefires, and Cyber Threats: A Briefing with General Frank McKenzie (Ret.)

Cyber Focus

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, and the fragile ceasefire now in place. McKenzie offers expert insight into the strategic weakness of Iran, the state of its proxy forces, and the growing threat of Iranian cyberattacks. They also...

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In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Andrew Howell, Vice President for Government Affairs at SentinelOne, and Kyle Klein, Deputy Director for Policy and Partnerships at the McCrary Institute. Together, they discuss the evolving cybersecurity legislative landscape in the early days of the 119th Congress. The conversation covers key bills like the Cyber Pivot Act, updates to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, efforts to designate space as critical infrastructure, AI regulation, and cybersecurity funding for state and local governments. They also examine the future direction of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the broader challenges of supply chain security.

Main Topics Covered

  • Legislative priorities in the 119th Congress, including reintroduced cybersecurity bills
  • The Cyber Pivot Act and its expansion to include four-year institutions
  • Efforts to update the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
  • The push to designate space as a critical infrastructure sector
  • The challenge of AI regulation and the risk of a patchwork of state laws
  • Cybersecurity funding for state and local governments and the fate of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
  • The potential refocusing of CISA’s mission under the new administration
  • Implications of the Volt Typhoon cyber campaign and the need for stronger deterrence
  • The role of Congress in shaping supply chain security policy

Key Quotes

"Maybe now we're beginning to see the first steps of a new group of lawmakers come in, feel comfortable on an issue, and begin to feel comfortable enough to want to legislate on an issue." — Andrew Howell

"We don't advocate specific legislation or lobby, but in that one, we do have strong opinions." — Frank Cilluffo, on space as critical infrastructure

"The state and local cyber grant program is hugely important to the federal government's partners at different levels of government." — Kyle Klein

"I think at some point you will see some action. I think a lot of members are still just, frankly, trying to understand the extent and severity of [Volt Typhoon].”  — Kyle Klein

“If you’re going to do something to even slightly change the calculus of global sources of products, then you have to do that understanding that’s going to move markets.” – Andrew Howell, on the complexities of supply chain security policy

Relevant Links and Resources

Guest Bios

Andrew Howell is Vice President for Government Affairs at SentinelOne. He previously spent 20 years at Monument Advocacy, lobbying on behalf of numerous technology clients.
Kyle Klein is the Deputy Director for Policy and Partnerships at the McCrary Institute. He previously served as Staff Director on the House Homeland Security Committee.