Ex-CIA Cyber Chief: Here's What Keeps Me Up at Night

In a world of rising cyber threats, what keeps the CIA’s former head of cybersecurity up at night?

Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Andy Boyd, former Head of the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence.

Andy was a Senior Intelligence Service officer in the Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations (DO). His most recent assignment was Director of the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence (CCI) which is responsible for intelligence collection, analysis, and operations focused on foreign cyber threats to US interests. Andy has experience leading worldwide intelligence operations and has in-depth knowledge of geopolitics, cyber operations, security practices, and risk mitigation.

Andy sits down with Geoff to discuss the future of cybersecurity in a rapidly evolving digital world. With decades of experience in cyber intelligence, Andy explains how global threats are evolving, from traditional espionage to AI-driven cyberattacks and disinformation. He dives into how intelligence agencies like the CIA assess and respond to state-sponsored cyber threats from China and Russia, and why the private sector is now a primary target. Andy breaks down how emerging technologies like generative AI are changing both offensive and defensive cyber strategies, and what this means for governments, businesses, and people. Andy also shares how one of the world’s leading professional services firms is navigating this new landscape, using culture, data, and innovation to stay ahead of cyber risks.

In this episode:

00:00 Intro

02:45 What the CIA's Cyber Intelligence Center actually does

05:30 Leading transformation across a global enterprise

07:20 Evolution of cyber threats from nation-states

08:15 Building trust and transparency with business stakeholders

11:10 The critical role of data in decision-making

13:00 How the CIA detects and responds to cyber attacks

17:05 Creating a culture of innovation and adaptability

17:45 The private sector as a frontline target

20:40 How Aon is approaching talent and upskilling

23:10 Offensive cyber operations: how far should the U.S. go?

27:30 Key leadership lessons and advice for future CIOs

29:50 China's cyber capabilities vs. Russia's tactics

35:25 The role of intelligence in election security

40:50 Why disinformation is more dangerous than hacking

45:30 How AI is transforming cyber espionage

50:10 What keeps Andy Boyd up at night

54:40 The importance of public awareness and resilience

Connect with Andy:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-g-boyd-12194673/

Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG