Hugh Thompson, the RSAC program committee chair and a leading figure in cybersecurity, joins to discuss the 2025 Innovation Sandbox Contest, which introduces a new investment component supporting innovative startups. They explore recent critical vulnerabilities, including a Windows zero-day and the significant cyberattacks involving Ukrainian and Russian hackers. Thompson also highlights innovative funding strategies for emerging security solutions and emphasizes the importance of storytelling in distinguishing cybersecurity efforts from the competition.