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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 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, and the increasing sophistication of nation-state and cybercriminal operations. The conversation explores the intersection of cybersecurity technology, policy, and defense strategies, including the importance of behavioral analysis, public-private partnerships, and the evolving role of zero trust in securing networks.

Main Topics Covered:

  • Findings from Palo Alto Networks’ 2025 Global Incident Response Report
  • The accelerating speed of cyberattacks and data exfiltration
  • How AI is shaping both cyber threats and defensive capabilities
  • The role of initial access brokers in modern attacks
  • Nation-state involvement in cybercrime and adversarial collaboration
  • The importance of zero trust and behavioral analysis in defense strategies
  • Policy recommendations for the next U.S. administration’s cybersecurity priorities
  • The growing complexity of securing multi-cloud environments
  • Challenges in asset visibility and managing cyber risk

Key Quotes:

“So, for example, in 25% of the cases, we saw attackers exfiltrating data within five hours of initial compromise. That's really, really fast.” – Andy Piazza

“Better cyber defense is a data problem, which means it's solvable. And what is the best way to solve a thorny large scale data problem? AI.” – Daniel Kroese

“We always talk about nation states or even cybercriminals stealing data. They don't steal data, they copy it. If they stole data, we would have taken that seriously a long time ago.” – Andy Piazza

“Organizations on average take 6 days to respond to a cyber incident. When adversaries are now exfiltrating data in hours, we can actually have real time statistics around mean Time to detect and mean time to respond.” – Daniel Kroese

“40% of cloud incidents were because there was unmanaged cloud assets that were out there... From a defense standpoint, you can't secure what you can't see.” – Daniel Kroese

Relevant Links and Resources:

Guest Bios:

Andy Piazza is a senior threat intelligence leader at Unit 42, Palo Alto Networks, and a veteran of both the cybersecurity industry and the U.S. Army. His work focuses on tracking threat actors, understanding cybercriminal tactics, and helping organizations defend against emerging threats.

Daniel Kroese is a cybersecurity policy expert at Palo Alto Networks with experience in both government and the private sector. He previously served as staff director for the House Homeland Security Committee and as Chief of Staff to former CIA Director John Ratcliffe.