Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson

Volker Wagner, Chief Information Security Officer at BASF, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea to  talk shop on what it really takes to defend one of the world’s largest chemical companies. From his early days in auditing to leading global cyber for high-stakes industrial and research environments, Volker shares battle-tested insights on resilience, Zero Trust, and the fundamentals that never go out of style. He dives into the hard lessons learned from ransomware, the realities of third-party risk, and how AI is reshaping everything from incident response to supply chain security. Most importantly, he makes the case for why trust, communication, and culture aren’t soft skills—they’re survival skills for modern CISOs.  Resources:   View Volker Wagner on LinkedIn           View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:   Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   The BlueHat Podcast    Uncovering Hidden Risks           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts      Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Matt Rowe, Chief Security Officer at Lloyds Bank, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea to explore the future of cybersecurity. They discuss the accelerating pace of change in the industry, from AI and automation to data-driven security practices and identity management. Matt shares how Lloyds Bank is modernizing its approach by reducing friction, upskilling teams, and fostering a growth mindset, while also laying foundations for resilience and agility across the financial ecosystem. The conversation highlights why now is the moment to rethink security strategies and how optimism, creativity, and collaboration can help defenders stay ahead.    Resources:   View Matt Rowe on LinkedIn     View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn        Related Microsoft Podcasts:   Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   The BlueHat Podcast    Uncovering Hidden Risks            Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts       Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.  

Erez Liebermann, partner at Debevoise & Plimpton and a leading voice in cybersecurity and data privacy joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Together, they unpack how legal and security teams can act as strategic partners, aligning regulatory compliance with business priorities while preparing for and responding to incidents. Erez offers actionable insights from real-world experience on breaking down silos, building trust, and balancing transparency with legal prudence during breaches. Listeners gain practical strategies for fostering cross-functional collaboration, improving incident response, and strengthening organizational resilience in today’s evolving threat landscape. Resources:  View Erez Liebermann on LinkedIn   View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:  Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  The BlueHat Podcast   Uncovering Hidden Risks        Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.   

Amy Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor known for her groundbreaking work in psychological safety, shares invaluable insights on fostering open communication in high-stakes environments like cybersecurity. She discusses the importance of creating safe spaces where teams can speak up without fear, highlighting historical events like the Challenger disaster. Edmondson emphasizes leadership vulnerability, the dynamics of effective teaming during crises, and the need for a learn-it culture that embraces failures as opportunities for growth.

Nasrin Rezai, SVP and CISO at Verizon joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Nasrin shares practical defense strategies for hard-to-secure legacy systems, emphasizes the importance of zero trust, and explains why cybersecurity is now a matter of national defense. Despite the challenges, she closes with optimism, believing that innovation, collaboration, and a new generation of cyber leaders will shape a more secure future.    Resources:   View Nasrin Rezai on LinkedIn       View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn       Related Microsoft Podcasts:   Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   The BlueHat Podcast    Uncovering Hidden Risks           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts      Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

Please enjoy this encore episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea while Ann Johnson and team are taking a break. Dr. Hugh Thompson⁠, Executive Chairman of RSA Conference and Managing Partner at Crosspoint Capital joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. They discuss what goes into planning the world’s largest cybersecurity conference—from theme selection to llama-related surprises on the expo floor—and how the RSA community continues to evolve. Hugh also shares how his background in applied math led him from academia to cybersecurity, his thoughts on the human element in security, and what keeps him optimistic about the future of the industry.    Resources:   ⁠View Hugh Thompson on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠ ⁠  ⁠View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn⁠       Related Microsoft Podcasts:   ⁠Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast⁠   ⁠The BlueHat Podcast⁠    ⁠Uncovering Hidden Risks⁠          Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at⁠ ⁠⁠microsoft.com/podcasts⁠      Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

Please enjoy this encore episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea while Ann Johnson and team are taking a break. Jack Rhysider, the creator and host of cybersecurity podcast Darknet Diaries joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Jack shares his journey from network security engineer to self-taught storyteller, detailing how his passion for cybersecurity and relentless dedication to learning and marketing helped him build an independent media powerhouse. He discusses the challenges of growing the podcast from scratch, the intensity required to succeed, and why telling well-researched cybercrime stories keeps him motivated.  Resources:  ⁠View Jack Rhysider on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn⁠   Related Microsoft Podcasts: ⁠Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast⁠  ⁠The BlueHat Podcast⁠   ⁠Uncovering Hidden Risks⁠         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at⁠ microsoft.com/podcasts⁠    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.   

Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. Jeetu shares insights on the urgent need for machine-scale defenses, the potential for defenders to finally tip the scale against attackers, and the importance of collaboration across the industry. They discuss the evolution of agentic AI, the challenges of innovation fragmentation, and why cybersecurity must become more accessible and effective to keep pace with modern threats.    Resources:   View Jeetu Patel On LinkedIn   View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn       Related Microsoft Podcasts:   Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   The BlueHat Podcast    Uncovering Hidden Risks           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts      Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.    

Aleise McGowan, Chief Information Security Officer of BlackGirlsHack and a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience, shares her transformative journey in cybersecurity. She highlights how an early career hack shifted her focus from development to defense. McGowan discusses the importance of resilience and human-centered leadership, emphasizing that inclusivity in cybersecurity isn't just ethical—it's strategic. She also sheds light on empowering underrepresented talent, advocating for a diverse workforce that can effectively tackle future threats.

Yonatan Zunger, Corporate Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for Artificial Intelligence at Microsoft, shares his expertise in AI security. He discusses how generative AI alters the cybersecurity landscape, highlighting both opportunities and risks. Zunger emphasizes treating AI as a valuable junior employee under human oversight. He promotes the importance of robust security frameworks and proactive governance in AI development, and expresses optimism about AI's potential to enhance persistent cybersecurity defenses.