Cyber Leaders

In this episode, Ciaran and James speak with Emily Taylor of Oxford Information Labs and Roxana Radu, Associate Professor of Digital Technologies and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, about who really controls the internet. Emily and Roxana discuss how internet governance operates amid shifting geopolitics, dissect the foundational protocols (and problems) that underpin the web, and explore the often-obscure institutions that keep it running.Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at ciso-network@sans.org

In this episode, Ciaran and James are joined by Curtis Dukes, Executive Vice President of the Center for Internet Security, to discover what “best practice” really means in cybersecurity today. Curtis draws on his extensive experience as former Head of the Information Assurance Directorate at the NSA, and discusses his current work on safe harbor laws and global “secure by design” initiatives aimed at building a safer digital world.Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at ciso-network@sans.org

In this episode, Ciaran and James speak with Dr. Nikki Robinson – author, professor, and Senior Technical Staff Member and Senior Manager for Platform Development at IBM – about vulnerability management and human factors in cybersecurity. Nikki shares insights from her research into vulnerability chaining and how organisations can strengthen their approach to managing technical risk, as well as the human dynamics that shape security behaviour across teams.Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at ciso-network@sans.org

In this episode, Ciaran and James speak with Heather Barnhart, Senior Director of Forensic Research at Cellebrite and Head of Faculty and DFIR Curriculum Lead at SANS, about the challenging world of digital forensics. Heather shares her experiences working on high-profile criminal cases, discusses the importance of thorough logging, and reflects on the real-world impact of cybersecurity on people’s lives.Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at ciso-network@sans.org

Marin Ivezic, Founder of Applied Quantum and former CISO with extensive cybersecurity experience, and Dr. Kawin Boonyapredee, Chief Strategy Officer with a strong background in cybersecurity, delve into the impending challenges posed by quantum computing. They discuss the potential of quantum to shatter current encryption methods and the urgency for organizations to adopt quantum readiness strategies today. With insights on post-quantum cryptography and practical steps for security leaders, they make a compelling case for proactive adaptation in the face of this evolving technology.

Paul Chichester, a seasoned leader at the UK's National Cyber Security Centre with over 30 years at GCHQ, shares his insights on evolving cyber threats. He delves into the shift from traditional espionage to rampant ransomware attacks and outlines key moments in cyber history, like WannaCry and Colonial Pipeline. Paul emphasizes the need for public-private partnerships in defense and stresses the importance of transparency in security operations. He also discusses how AI is a double-edged sword for both attackers and defenders.

In this episode, Ciaran and James are joined by SANS Chief of Research and Head of Faculty, Rob Lee, to tackle the one big issue on everyone’s mind, AI. Rob shares his expert insight on the rapid rise of AI, from mainstream adoption to cognitive impact, and examines the threats, opportunities, and where human judgment still matters.Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at ciso-network@sans.org

In this bonus episode, Ciaran and James look back on the memorable moments of Series 2, revisiting insightful interviews and compelling discussions. They explore recurring themes such as cyber conflict, critical infrastructure protection and the shifting threat landscape. It’s a chance to reflect and gear up for what’s ahead in Series 3.To see links and learn more about the show, visit https://www.sans.org/cyber-leaders-podcast/Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at ciso-network@sans.org

In this episode, Ciaran and James are joined by Tim Conway, Technical Director of ICS and SCADA, to discuss the hidden systems that keep society running, from power plants to water grids. Tim sheds light on the unique challenges of securing industrial control systems, the dangers of complacency, and why the OT world is often overlooked until something goes terribly wrong. To learn more about our guest Tim Conway and for links from the episode, visit https://www.sans.org/podcasts/cyber-leaders/Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at ciso-network@sans.org

In this bonus episode, Ciaran and James sit down with Dr. Bilyana Lilly, to discuss cyber disinformation, diplomacy and defense. Here Bilyana sheds light on how geopolitical risk affects technology, including cyber threats, information warfare, and the evolving global security landscape.To learn more about our guest Dr. Bilyana Lilly and for links from the episode, visit https://www.sans.org/podcasts/cyber-leaders/Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at ciso-network@sans.org