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CyberWire Daily

Securing democracy.

Oct 29, 2024
In this conversation, Chris Porter, the Chief Information Security Officer at Fannie Mae, shares insights on cultivating a strong cybersecurity culture and talent pipeline. He discusses the evolving landscape of cyber threats, particularly the impact of foreign espionage on democratic processes. Chris also highlights the importance of education in cybersecurity, addressing the skills gap and the need for innovative training initiatives. With a personal twist, he recounts his unique journey from pre-med to cybersecurity, underlining the diverse career paths in the field.
35:15

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Chinese state-sponsored hacking activities pose significant threats to U.S. telecom networks and national election security, necessitating accountability from telecom companies.
  • The cybersecurity workforce crisis reveals a gap in entry-level opportunities and highlights the need for ongoing skills development and curiosity among new candidates.

Deep dives

Federal Investigation into Chinese Cyber Attacks

A significant investigation is underway regarding Chinese hacking activities targeting U.S. telecom networks, which may have implications for presidential campaign communications ahead of the 2024 elections. The focus is on a Chinese state-sponsored operation known as Salt Typhoon, allegedly monitoring key political figures, including Republican nominee Donald Trump. Reports suggest that hackers accessed unencrypted call and text data, although encrypted channels like Signal remain secure. As election security concerns escalate, Congress has called for accountability from telecom companies to address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign adversaries.

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