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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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...
info_outlineRecorded 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 global cyber dialogue. Then a panel of McCrary Institute Senior Fellows — Katherine Hennessey, Matt Hayden, Alison King, and Bob Kolasky — joins the conversation to reflect on major themes, from agentic AI and offensive cyber to global cooperation and the CISA reorganization. Designed for Washington’s cyber policy community, this episode delivers a timely snapshot of the conversations driving national and international cybersecurity strategy.
Main Topics Covered
- Rising government and policy engagement at RSAC, anchored by the International Cybersecurity Forum
- Secretary Noem’s keynote and the evolving vision for CISA under the new administration
- Agentic AI’s role in shaping both cybersecurity and broader national security operations
- International collaboration, including Australia’s regional outreach and GCHQ’s first public keynote
- Offensive cyber strategy, red lines, and the Volt Typhoon threat from China
- Scaling cyber defense through DARPA’s AI Cyber Challenge and emerging automation tools
- Workforce, collaboration, and renewed focus on federal cybersecurity priorities
Key Quotes
“We want government folks to be part of that community and to come out and speak and have opportunities to have valuable conversations which drive action.” — David Colberg
“Cybersecurity is national security against what could be an existential threat from China.” — Bob Kolasky
“We heard references that you’re going to start onboarding [AI] bots in the same way you would employees. CISOs better get good on their AI bot HR.” — Matt Hayden
“The way we look at the data and how we use [AI and] the data to solve our cybersecurity challenges, but also our other physical world challenges, I think is a really fascinating place to be.” — Katherine Hennessey
“I always think of AI… as augmented intelligence. It’s a tool that has to be used responsibly, and you have to have ethics attached to it.” — Alison King
“Technology, whatever it is, it will change. Human nature doesn’t. And if we’re going to defeat the bad guys… it takes networks to defeat [them].” — Frank Cilluffo
Relevant Links and Resources
- RSA Conference: https://www.rsaconference.com
- DARPA AI Cyber Challenge (AIxCC): https://aicyberchallenge.com
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): https://www.cisa.gov
- McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security: https://mccraryinstitute.com
Guest Bios
David Colberg is an advisor to RSA and has led the development of the conference’s government and policy programming for over a decade. He helped launch the International Cybersecurity Forum at RSAC and plays a key role in building connections between public and private sector leaders.
Katherine Hennessey, Matt Hayden, Alison King, and Bob Kolasky are Senior Fellows at the McCrary Institute, each bringing deep expertise from across government and industry in cyber strategy, national security, and public-private collaboration.