Hurricanes, Hacktivists, & HPCs: Building Resilience for the Compute Era | A Conversation With Dr. Melanie Garson and Sean Martin | Redefining Society with Marco Ciappelli

Jun 19, 2024

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Guests: ✨

Dr. Melanie Garson, Cyber Policy & Tech Geopolitics Lead, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change [@InstituteGC]

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniegarson/

Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin

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Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli
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This Episode’s Sponsors

BlackCloak 👉 https://itspm.ag/itspbcweb

Bugcrowd 👉 https://itspm.ag/itspbgcweb

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Episode Introduction

In an era where technology is the backbone of society, resilience in the face of cyber threats, natural disasters, and geopolitical strife is paramount. This was the focal point of the discussion between Sean Martin, Marco Ciappelli, and Dr. Melanie Garson in their recent conversation on "Hurricanes, Hacktivists, & HPCs: Building Resilience for the Compute Era."

Dr. Melanie Garson, the Cyber and Tech Geopolitics Lead at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and Associate Professor at University College London, brings a wealth of expertise to the topic. Her work revolves around understanding how new and disruptive technologies like cyber warfare, brain-computer interfaces, and genetic engineering affect global stability. This episode delves into her insights on the evolving landscape of cyber resilience and the steps needed to brace for future challenges.

The conversation begins with an exploration of how legacy infrastructure poses a significant risk to our digital and physical security. Dr. Garson emphasizes the importance of addressing these foundational elements, noting examples like the 2006 earthquake in Taiwan, which disrupted 22 communication cables. She warns of the potential catastrophes linked to outdated infrastructure and underscores the need for modernization and robust protection against not just cyberattacks but physical disruptions as well.

The geopolitical aspect of technology is another critical element discussed. Dr. Garson highlights the role of private companies like Microsoft and Amazon in global conflicts, noting the effects seen during the Russia-Ukraine conflict where cloud services played a pivotal role in preserving data. This involvement signals a shift in how we understand power dynamics and control over critical technologies and raises questions about the responsibilities and decision-making processes of these tech giants. Furthermore, the discussion covers the intersection of emergency situations and technological dependencies.

Using real-world instances like the hurricane in West Africa that knocked out major cables, Marco Ciappelli and Sean Martin emphasize how such events lead to significant economic impacts, illustrating how interconnected and vulnerable our systems are. Dr. Garson also touches upon the evolving nature of warfare, especially with the advent of electromagnetic spectrum manipulation and the reliance on GPS technologies. She notes the increasing use of electromagnetic interference for strategic advantage, a trend seen in ongoing global conflicts. The idea of compute diplomacy—ensuring countries have the sustainable computational power needed to remain competitive and secure—resonates strongly throughout their dialogue.

The conversation wrapped with a powerful call to action: the need for both public and private sectors to address vulnerabilities throughout the entire tech stack, not just the application layer. This holistic approach is essential to safeguarding our digital infrastructure against a multitude of threats.

In conclusion, building resilience in the compute era requires a multi-faceted approach that integrates robust cyber defense, modernized infrastructure, and a keen understanding of the geopolitical landscape. The insights shared by Dr. Melanie Garson underscore the importance of proactive measures and collaborative efforts in securing our interconnected world. This episode serves as a crucial reminder that as technology advances, so must our strategies to protect against emerging threats.