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PODCAST

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and Critical Infrastructure

Frank Cilluffo / McCrary Institute

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

government

All Episodes

33:38

Countering Ransomware, CISA 2015, and Active Cyber...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/09/09

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 evolution of ransomware as both a business model and geopolitical weapon, and how industry must play a

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25:17

Sen. Gary Peters Sounds the Alarm on CISA 2015...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/09/02

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, and what listeners can do about it. The conversation also covers Peters’ push to cut red tape for cyber

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38:15

Can Congress Keep Up with AI? Sarah Beth Jansen &...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/08/26

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

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35:45

Ports, Cranes, and Zero Trust: Defending U.S. OT — w/...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/08/19

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

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43:59

Black Hat 2025: CISA’s Playbook for Defending...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/08/12

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

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35:35

Hacktivism, Quantum Threats, and the Future of OT...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/08/05

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

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34:16

Power, Security, and the Infrastructure of Tomorrow...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/07/29

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

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35:19

Inside the UK’s Cyber Strategy: Richard Horne on...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/07/22

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,

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32:33

NSA vs. Zero-Days: Kristina Walter on Speed, Scale,...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/07/15

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

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27:49

Hacking the Harvest: Jonathan Braley on Ransomware,...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/07/08

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

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31:08

Cyber Warfare, Workforce, and Fixing the System: Top...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/07/01

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

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17:54

Iran, Ceasefires, and Cyber Threats: A Briefing with...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/06/24

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

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09:36

To the Point: Iran’s Cyber Threat After Israel’s Strikes

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/06/20

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 aggression against Israeli targets, Montgomery warns that water systems, energy grids, and transportation

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40:26

“We Are in a State of Digital Warfare”: Chairman Rick...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/06/17

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, domestic counterintelligence reform, and efforts to close legislative blind spots through inter-committee

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37:17

Splitting Commands, Building Capabilities:...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/06/10

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 the integration of cyber, electronic warfare, and space as part of a new operational triad, and shares

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42:02

Space Is the Battlefield: Deterrence, Hypersonics,...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/06/03

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 future conflicts in orbit before any shots are fired on Earth. The conversation also explores the

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53:29

OT Under Threat: Dragos' Robert M. Lee on Navigating...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/05/27

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, including attacks on water systems, energy grids, and manufacturing sites. He shares insights into advanced

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18:34

When Fraud Meets Cyber: The Retail Sector’s Expanding...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/05/20

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 threats have evolved over the past decade, the growing impact of third-party risk, and the rise of fraud

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20:24

The One-Way Street of Digital Transformation: OT...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/05/13

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 three major phases of the OT security market, reflects on the role of AI and legacy systems, and

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33:00

The AI Energy Surge: Jason Plautz on Grid Strain and...

Cyber Focus: Cybersecurity, National Security, and... ·

2025/05/06

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 conversation covers legislative efforts in Texas and Georgia, the controversial idea of “kill switches” for data

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149 results

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