Ahead of the Threat

Class is in session! Professor Scott Aaronson, a leading researcher in quantum computers, takes time away from his teaching at the University of Texas at Austin to give Ahead of the Threat a detailed overview of quantum theory and the applications of what a quantum computer could do—when one is invented. Though a real quantum computer remains unlikely for a few more years, its potential to unravel nearly all known encryption has led to the development of post-quantum encryption to protect sensitive data. In the episode’s Top Three segment that highlights current cybersecurity news, hosts Bryan Vorndran, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, and Jamil Farshchi, FBI strategic engagement advisor, discuss Google’s acquisition of the cloud computing company Wiz for $32 billion; the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act, and a new ransomware attack at Jaguar Land Rover.You can read an FBI Joint Cybersecurity Advisory on Medusa Ransomware at cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa25-071a. You can also read NIST’s Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization Overview at csrc.nist.gov/projects/post-quantum-cryptography. Listen to Ahead of the Threat episodes, read the transcripts, and find related material at fbi.gov/aheadofthethreat. Subscribe to Ahead of the Threat wherever you get your podcasts:Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahead-of-the-threat-the-fbi-cyber-podcast/id1774312272Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7nV7uYsEK4nH87ADpooAyAMore ways to follow us: ahead-of-the-threat.transistor.fm/subscribeAnd follow us on social media:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fbicyberX: twitter.com/fbiFacebook: facebook.com/FBI/ Instagram: instagram.com/fbi/   YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi

Paul Proctor, a Gartner analyst for 20 years, joins the show to discuss practical approaches businesses can apply to make cybersecurity more effective. Through thousands of hours of outreach, Proctor sees a broken system that can improve with better communication and partnership between executives and chief information security officers to create strategies based on “outcome-driven metrics.” One example is identifying the cost to return systems online in a specific time frame following a breach, while understanding that cutting funds to that effort jeopardizes the timeline. Hosts Bryan Vorndran, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, and Jamil Farshchi, FBI strategic engagement advisor, discuss the importance of cybersecurity 'fundamentals' and how measured approaches can lead to more success in a field more complicated than many think. Commenting on current events in the 'Top Three' segment, Vorndran and Farshchi highlight DeepSeek AI, the new updates to United HealthGroup’s breach, and new reporting requirements for critical infrastructure cyber incidents (Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act, or CIRCIA). Listen to Ahead of the Threat episodes, read the transcripts, and find related material at fbi.gov/aheadofthethreat.Subscribe to Ahead of the Threat wherever you get your podcasts:Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahead-of-the-threat-the-fbi-cyber-podcast/id1774312272Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7nV7uYsEK4nH87ADpooAyAMore ways to follow us: ahead-of-the-threat.transistor.fm/subscribeAnd follow us on social media:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fbicyberX: twitter.com/fbiFacebook: facebook.com/FBI/ Instagram: instagram.com/fbi/   YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi

For our first episode of 2025, Charles Carmakal joins the show to discuss all things Scattered Spider. As the chief technology officer at Mandiant, Charles details a disturbing trend of compromises through seemingly unsophisticated, yet highly effective approaches, including hackers who trick organization help desks into granting them system access. Hosts Bryan Vorndran, the assistant director of the FBI's Cyber Division, and Jamil Farshchi, an FBI strategic engagement advisor, discuss mitigation techniques that companies, such as Mandiant, recommend to clients. In the episode’s Top Three segment, Bryan and Jamil discuss the breaches of BeyondTrust and Data School and give an update on Salt Typhoon.Listen to Ahead of the Threat episodes, read the transcripts, and find related material at fbi.gov/aheadofthethreat.Subscribe to Ahead of the Threat wherever you get your podcasts:Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahead-of-the-threat-the-fbi-cyber-podcast/id1774312272Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7nV7uYsEK4nH87ADpooAyAMore ways to follow us: ahead-of-the-threat.transistor.fm/subscribeAnd follow us on social media:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fbicyberX: twitter.com/fbiFacebook: facebook.com/FBI/ Instagram: instagram.com/fbi/   YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi

For our last episode until 2025, FBI Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran and FBI Strategic Engagement Advisor Jamil Farshchi speak to Rachel Lavender, managing director of the cyber practice at Marsh McLennan. As a seasoned cyber-insurance broker, Rachel discusses the partnership between a company and a cyber-insurance service, working together to build and implement effective cybersecurity measures over time. She also highlights act-of-war clauses and the growing information the insurance industry has obtained in a short time by servicing victim clients, resulting in better coverage and recommendations. For the episode’s Top Three segment recounting recent events, Bryan and Jamil discuss the unsealing of charges against members of Scattered Spider, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s cybersecurity reporting rules, and reasonably managed encryption.Listen to Ahead of the Threat episodes, read the transcripts, and find related material at fbi.gov/aheadofthethreat.Subscribe to Ahead of the Threat wherever you get your podcasts:Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahead-of-the-threat-the-fbi-cyber-podcast/id1774312272Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7nV7uYsEK4nH87ADpooAyAMore ways to follow us: ahead-of-the-threat.transistor.fm/subscribeAnd follow us on social media:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fbicyberX: twitter.com/fbiFacebook: facebook.com/FBI/ Instagram: instagram.com/fbi/   YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi

This week on Ahead of the Threat, FBI Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran and FBI Strategic Engagement Advisor Jamil Farshchi speak to Wendi Whitmore, senior vice president of Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42. Drawing on her experience with cyber threat intelligence and incident response, Wendi talks about the growing sophistication of the cybercriminal business model and the need to have visibility across all company networks and infrastructure. She also highlights a growing trend in which companies have a “pre-built” environment that they would potentially move towards in case of a cyberattack. At the start of the episode, Bryan and Jamil discuss trending topics like the North Korean information technology worker threat, the Blue Yonder compromise, and the latest social engineering scheme from the cybercriminal group Black Basta. Listen to Ahead of the Threat episodes, read the transcripts, and find related material at fbi.gov/aheadofthethreat.Subscribe to Ahead of the Threat wherever you get your podcasts:Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahead-of-the-threat-the-fbi-cyber-podcast/id1774312272Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7nV7uYsEK4nH87ADpooAyAMore ways to follow us: ahead-of-the-threat.transistor.fm/subscribeAnd follow us on social media:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fbicyberX: twitter.com/fbiFacebook: facebook.com/FBI/ Instagram: instagram.com/fbi/   YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi

On this episode of Ahead of the Threat, FBI Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran and FBI Strategic Engagement Advisor Jamil Farshchi speak to Chris Cwalina, global head of cybersecurity and privacy at Norton Rose Fulbright. Chris and his team of lawyers advise clients on how to minimize damage from sophisticated data breaches and cybersecurity incidents. Chris reveals why many companies have a false sense of readiness and security before a breach. He also talks about fostering a security culture and the importance of having clear lines of decision-making when it comes to risk management. At the start of the episode, Bryan and Jamil discuss trending topics like the Fortinet VPN zero-day, the extradition of the Phobos ransomware administrator, and the sentencing of U.S.-based co-conspirators behind the Bitfenix cryptocurrency exchange theft. Listen to Ahead of the Threat episodes, read the transcripts, and find related material at fbi.gov/aheadofthethreat.Subscribe to Ahead of the Threat wherever you get your podcasts:Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahead-of-the-threat-the-fbi-cyber-podcast/id1774312272Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7nV7uYsEK4nH87ADpooAyAMore ways to follow us: ahead-of-the-threat.transistor.fm/subscribeAnd follow us on social media:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fbicyberX: twitter.com/fbiFacebook: facebook.com/FBI/ Instagram: instagram.com/fbi/   YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi

Kevin Mandia, founder and CEO of Mandiant, shares his expert insights into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. He discusses game-changing breaches and the critical role of the CISO in aligning security with business goals. The rise of voice cloning and AI in social engineering schemes highlights new vulnerabilities. Kevin emphasizes the importance of CEOs asking the right questions to assess cyber readiness, while also exploring the implications of recent ransomware trends and the necessity for robust recovery strategies.

Aron Ain, the former CEO and current executive chair of UKG, provides insights into leading a tech giant during a major ransomware attack that crippled thousands. He shares his strategies for maintaining transparency and rebuilding trust with customers amidst crisis. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of cyber threats, including election interference by foreign actors and the Salt Typhoon hack. Ain emphasizes resilience, effective communication, and the importance of strong organizational culture in navigating cybersecurity challenges.

On Ahead of the Threat, Bryan Vorndran, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, and Jamil Farshchi—a strategic engagement advisor for the FBI who also works as Equifax’s executive vice president and chief information security officer—discuss emerging cyber threats and the enduring importance of cybersecurity fundamentals.Featuring distinguished guests from the business world and government, Ahead of the Threat will confront some of the biggest questions in cyber: How will emerging technology impact corporate America? How can corporate boards be structured for cyber resilience? What does the FBI think about generative artificial intelligence? Listen to new episodes biweekly and stay Ahead of the Threat.Listen to Ahead of the Threat episodes, read the transcripts, and find related material at fbi.gov/aheadofthethreat.Subscribe to Ahead of the Threat wherever you get your podcasts:Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahead-of-the-threat-the-fbi-cyber-podcast/id1774312272Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7nV7uYsEK4nH87ADpooAyAMore ways to follow us: ahead-of-the-threat.transistor.fm/subscribeAnd follow us on social media:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fbicyberX: twitter.com/fbiFacebook: facebook.com/FBI/ Instagram: instagram.com/fbi/   YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi