ISF Podcast

Today, Steve is speaking with Mariarosaria Taddeo, Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies and Dslt Ethics Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. Mariarosaria brings her expertise as a philosopher to bear in this discussion of why and how we must develop agreed-upon ethical principles and governance for cyber warfare. Key Takeaways: 1. As cyber attacks increase, international humanitarian law and rules of war require a conceptual shift. 2. To maintain competitive advantage while upholding their values, liberal democracies are needing to move swiftly to develop and integrate regulation of emerging digital technologies and AI. 3. Many new technologies have a direct and harmful impact on the environment, so it’s imperative that any ethical AI be developed sustainably.  Tune in to hear more about: 1.  The digital revolution affects how we do things, how we think about our environment, and how we interact with the environment. (1:10) 2. Regardless of how individual countries may wield new digital capabilities, liberal democracies as such must endeavor tirelessly to develop digital systems and AI that is well considered, that is ethically sound, and that does not discriminate. (5:20) 3. New digital capabilities may produce CO2 and other environmental impacts that will need to be recognized and accounted for as new technologies are being rolled out. (10:03) Standout Quotes: 1.  “The way in which international humanitarian laws works or just war theory works is that we tell you what kind of force, when, and how you can use it to regulate the conduct of states in war. Now, fast forward to 2007, cyber attacks against Estonia, and you have a different kind of war, where you have an aggressive behavior, but we're not using force anymore. How do you regulate this new phenomenon, if so far, we have regulated war by regulating force, but now this new type of war is not a force in itself or does not imply the use of force? So this is a conceptual shift. A concept which is not radically changing, but has acquired or identifies a new phenomenon which is new compared to what we used to do before.” - Mariarosario Taddeo  2. “I joke with my students when they come up with this same objection, I say, well, you know, we didn't stop putting alarms and locking our doors because sooner or later, somebody will break into the house. It's the same principle. The risk is there, it’s present. They’re gonna do things faster in a more dangerous way, but if we give up to the regulations, then we might as well surrender immediately, right?” - Mariarosario Taddeo 3. “LLMs, for example, large language models, ChatGPT for example, they consume a lot of the resources of our environment. We did with some of the students here of AI a few years ago a study where we show that training just one round of ChatGPT-3 would produce as much CO2 as 49 cars in the US for a year. It’s a huge toll on the environment. So ethical AI means also sustainably developed.” - Mariarosario Taddeo Mentioned in this episode: ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

A repeat of one of our top episodes from 2023: October is Cyber Awareness Month, and we’re marking the occasion with a series of three episodes featuring Steve in conversation with ISF’s Regional Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Dan Norman. Today, Steve and Dan discuss the importance of cyber resilience and how organisations can prepare for cyber attacks. Mentioned in this episode: ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Neuroscientist Tali Sharot discusses optimism bias and its implications on risk assessment. Present bias affects decision-making. Pairing data with anecdotes enhances communication. Explore how emotion influences memory and why storytelling is effective in persuasion.

This week, we’ve got another fascinating conversation recorded at the 2023 ISF Congress in Rotterdam. This time, Steve speaks with generative AI expert Nina Schick. Nina and Steve discuss how AI, along with other technological trends that are evolving at exponential speed, are shaping both geopolitics and individual lives. Key Takeaways: 1. Generative AI is reshaping the geopolitical landscape. 2. Educating ourselves and others about the implications of quickly evolving tech in global affairs. 3. Industries struggling to regulate exponential technology. 4. There are more questions than answers as we look to the future in tech. Tune in to hear more about: 1. AI’s geopolitical impacts (3:13) 2. Learning about how tech is impacting global affairs (9:53) 3. Regulation challenges (11:55) 4. Nina Shick’s take on the economics of generative AI  (16:27) Standout Quotes: 1. “As the oil economies of Saudi Arabia and UAE seek to diversify away from oil and energy, one of the things that they're doing is trying to become very high tech economies when artificial intelligence is absolutely leading the way with these strategies. And there's so much money going to be invested in the Gulf in the coming decade when it comes to artificial intelligence. Again, even though these are relatively small countries, they are perhaps going to punch above their weight when it comes to power that is harnessed by artificial intelligence. And that means in a military sense, in an economic sense, and ultimately, you know, a geopolitical sense.” -Nina Schick 2. “I think the harder thing also are the non technical solutions – you know, education, literacy – how do people get upskilled in terms of understanding the new capabilities of artificial intelligence and how they will be deployed in their respective domains? So I think it's not only that there are technical solutions, there are also societal and learning solutions which perhaps we're going to have to get on top of very, very quickly.” -Nina Schick 3. “Regulators have to work with industry. There's no way they can do this themselves. And already in many of the kind of more promising areas with dealing with some of the challenges, such as information integrity, when you come to questions like provenance, you see industry championing the way and supporting regulators.” -Nina Schick 4. “Will there be economic value associated with AI? I think, absolutely. But the question is, how's that going to be distributed? And is it going to be monopolized? So that's going to happen with regards to the tech giants, who I think will become very, very, very powerful. I think this will continue to be a priority of utmost importance to governments. I think this challenge, or this kind of race between China and the US with regards to artificial intelligence will continue to play out. I think the Middle East is going to become a strong contender. And I suspect Europe might fall behind a little bit … And actually, I think that this technology is also going to be in the hands of millions of people.” -Nina Schick Mentioned in this episode: Threat Horizon 2024: the Disintegration of Trust ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

This podcast delves into the future of work post-pandemic, emphasizing the need for companies to reinvent themselves in the 'never normal.' Topics include evolving business norms, integrating AI, and preventing workforce burnout. The discussion offers practical tips for leaders navigating the changing business landscape.

Today,  Steve is in conversation with Christy Pretzinger, founder, president and CEO of WriterGirl. Over the past 20 years, Christy has grown the company from a modest freelance writing business into a healthcare content consultancy. She speaks with Steve about some of the practical tools she has implemented in order to grow the company’s culture, the role of leadership in training and retaining emotionally intelligent employees, and the impact her focus as a leader on the company’s cultural balance sheet has had on their financial balance sheet. March 8th is International Women’s Day and we want to mark the occasion and make sure you haven’t missed our many valuable episodes with Steve in conversation with women in leadership. So we’ve put together a specially curated playlist featuring the best of women in leadership, and we want to give you special access. All we ask in return is this: just rate and review the ISF podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, send a screenshot of that rating and review to tavia.gilbert@securityforum.org, and I’ll send you back special access to the curated playlist. Key Takeaways: Leaders should track their cultural balance sheet just as they watch their financial balance sheet. A leader who is intentional about culture increases employee retention. Helping employees grow in emotional intelligence as the company grows can make work more productive and rewarding for everyone, especially clients. Technology is never the answer to a people problem, and it will never replace human connection. Tune in to hear more about: 1. Pretzinger’s story of growing her business (1:45) 2. The cultural balance sheet and how leaders can create a corporate culture based on emotional intelligence (2:40) 3. Preventing employee turnover (9:09) 4. Implementing new technological solutions with sensitivity to employee experience and client needs (11:26) 5. The need for human connection in business even was we advance technologically (15:46) 6. Building a team that works from home (16:34) 7. Intentionality when building culture (17:10) Standout Quotes: 1. “Anyone who looks at a balance sheet knows that employee turnover is a hidden cost. It doesn't show up on a balance sheet. And I can count on one hand the number of people that have left our organization. And in fact, I don't even need the whole hand. And many people who leave continue to work with us on a contracted basis, so there is very, very little turnover. And even our younger employees expressed interest in retiring from this organization, which is really great.” - Christy Pretzinger 2. “We had everybody do a day-long workshop. And it was incredibly revealing. It took a lot of time. And it was very … I guess the things that I look for when we do these things are what Brené talks about is what every human wants is love and belonging. They want love and belonging, and they want to know that they matter.” - Christy Pretzinger 3. “About retention: I think about, obviously, a hidden cost on the balance sheet. But what I think about too, is all of that intellectual property walking out your door. You know, you've got ,we have people who have been here, I think, my longest employee is 13 years, I think. She started right after she got married, and now she has five kids. So I've literally watched her grow up. If she walked out that door, and we were so much smaller, she literally built the sales department and built the CRM tool, and still worked very heavily in contributing to that — if she walked out the door, it would be devastating. But yet, that's not going to show up on a balance sheet. .” - Christy Pretzinger 4. “So I still think that there is a tremendous place for — and not only a place but a need and a yearning for true human connection. And because I own a virtual organization, I know that you can have true human connection virtually, but it does require a camera.” - Christy Pretzinger Mentioned in this episode: ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Today, Steve is speaking with American football coach Randy Jackson. During his 30-year tenure coaching high school football in Texas, Randy earned a reputation for transforming struggling programs. In 2022, in a move reminiscent of Ted Lasso, he moved to Germany to coach the Potsdam Royals, and with Jackson as the offensive coordinator, the Royals went all the way to the German Bowl. When he’s not coaching football, Randy is a business consultant. Today, he and Steve talk about how he applies his experience as a football coach in the business world. They go beyond sport cliches and dig into some concrete ways leaders can build the culture of their organisation. Key Takeaways: 1. At its inception, any organisation can benefit from building relationships and establishing a shared vision. 2. Leaders will do well to speak up frequently, reminding teams of shared aims. 3. When something goes wrong (or right!) it can be a good time to reflect, or as Randy puts it, perform an autopsy. Tune in to hear more about: 1. Establishing a shared vision, charting a collective course. (3:50) 2. Staying vocal as a leader. (6:05) 3. Whether something goes to plan or not, an autopsy of the scenario can be a helpful way forward. (10:06) Standout Quotes: 1. “So this is an activity I always do, and I did this in Germany, but close your eyes and then turn around three times, and then point True north. Well, I don't know how many people are in the room, but let's say I had 50. You're going to have 50 fingers pointing in all different directions. And so what we're going to do is, people will point in the same direction if you give them something to point at. And what you're in on you're in with.”” -Randy Jackson 2. “And if you'll talk about it, you can achieve it, but you can't talk about it once a week – you must talk about it. So whatever you want, I think every leader should say, here are the three things I want. You got to talk about those three things every day.” -Randy Jackson 3. “And the autopsy is about improvement, right? It's not about finger pointing, it's about trying to figure out how the collective can, if they hit that situation, again in the future, can adapt or behave differently.” -Steve Durbin Mentioned in this episode: Building Tomorrow’s Security Workforce ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Titles by Randy Jackson Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Former Chief Business Officer of Google X, Mo Gawdat, joins ISF Podcast to discuss the human-technology relationship. Topics include AI's integration into our lives, distinguishing between human and AI-generated content, shaping AI's impact on society, the influence of mainstream media on AI, re-educating individuals for a better relationship with AI and society, and the value of authenticity and true connections.

Steve is in conversation with quantum computing expert Konstantinos Karagiannis. Konstantinos is the Director of Quantum Computing Services at Protiviti, where he helps companies prepare for quantum opportunities and threats. He talks to Steve about how this nascent technology is already a security concern and what security leaders can do now to prevent problems down the road. He also offers ideas for overcoming the skills shortages that both the security and quantum computing fields face. If you’re interested in discovering more about the technological implications of automation, machine learning and quantum computing, download the ISF’s Threat Horizon 2025:  Scenarios for an uncertain future report, available to members on ISF Live. Not a member? Get in touch with your regional director today at https://www.securityforum.org/contact/. Research: Threat Horizon 2025:  Scenarios for an uncertain future - full report (ISFLIve) Key Takeaways: 1. It’s a big year for compliance. Per NIST, companies are asked to start their plans for migration in 2024. 2. Konstantinos sees a need for quantum programs at the university level. 3. Where quantum is today is just a glimpse of where it’s going. Tune in to hear more about: 1. The future is now! (4:38) 2. What can be done at the university level to resource the industry (7:45) 3. Quantum computing speeds as an advantage (12:17) Standout Quotes: 1.  “It'll be time for companies, starting in 2024, to start their plans for migration. In the US, the White House has already telegraphed what's going to be expected of federal agencies. They published the NSM-10 memo, which states that once the finalists are out, you have to have a plan for migration, the timeline for deprecation of ciphers, all these steps are going to kick in.” -Konstantinos Karagiannis 2. “I don't see any university have that set for a quantum program. Like, you can't just go, come out, and like, we know that we can hire you to like, implement algorithms. There's no such thing. And I'd like to see that kind of preparation, so within a few years, we've got a whole crew of folks ready to at least implement algorithms. They might not be able to create a brand new one, but there's only a few dozen of them in the world anyway.” -Konstantinos Karagiannis 3. “Quantum works well on simulations. You could simulate up to like, 50 qubits, let's say, and you can make sure your algorithm works right. And you could torture test it. And then when you're ready to actually run it, that's when you pay for what we call shots, which is just runs on a quantum computer. So yeah, you might work on this, tweak it all month, and then you spend $1,000, let's say, and you do your runs, and you're good. You're done.”  -Konstantinos Karagiannis Mentioned in this episode: Threat Horizon 2025:  Scenarios for an uncertain future – executive summary ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Chicago Quantum Exchange Recent work on Quantum Portfolio Optimization Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Today’s episode is the second part of journalist Nick Witchell’s conversation with Steve at the 2023 ISF Congress in Rotterdam. As organisations become increasingly data-driven, technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing will have a huge impact on data security. Today, Steve looks at how security professionals can help their organisations adopt these technologies safely and smartly. Key Takeaways: 1. Trade policy is feeling the effects of geopolitical conflicts. 2. Major technological advancements are not without environmental impact. 3. Business leaders would do well to remember that data in any quantitity can be faulty, can be tampered with, making regulation and collaboration all the more important. Tune in to hear more about: 1. Conflicts such as the war in Ukraine shine a particular light on organisations’ areas of vulnerability. (2:42) 2. In the context of global warming, quantum computing poses major challeges. (5:50) 3. As quantity of data increases exponentially, so does the importance of quality. (9:33) Standout Quotes: 1. “I think that the situation in the Ukraine, in particular, was a huge wake up call for a lot of organisations and a lot of individuals. I think very few people actually understood the way in which complex supply chains today actually operate. We do take things for granted, don't we?” -Steve Durbin 2. “Quantum computing requires immense computing power. Immense computing power requires a huge amount of electricity and generates a huge amount of heat. So if you think about all of those things in the environmental context, we really do need to figure out how we're going to exist in a world where global warming is a reality, where we are really driving as hard as we can in pursuit of different technological answers.” -Steve Durbin 3. “My biggest concern, the biggest threat that I see is data that has been tampered with. Because you or I may look at something and think that doesn't look quite right, so we'll dig into it. A machine doesn't necessarily do that.” -Steve Durbin Mentioned in this episode: Securing the Supply Chain During periods of instability Threat Horizon 2025:  Scenarios for an uncertain future – executive summary ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.