Episodes

  • DomainTools’ Sean McNee on how China is watching the Russia-Ukraine conflict

    DomainTools’ Sean McNee on how China is watching the Russia-Ukraine conflict
    Oct 24 2024
    In this episode, we delve into the escalating cyber threat posed by China with guest Sean McNee, Head of Threat Research at DomainTools. Sean shares insights on how China is closely observing the ongoing cyberwar between Russia and Ukraine to strategize its potential moves concerning Taiwan. In our reporter chat, Greg Otto talks with Derek B. Johnson about the U.S. government’s attempt to rein in data brokers and bulk data collection by “countries of concern.” LINK: https://cyberscoop.com/justice-department-data-broker-regulation-china-russia-iran/
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    31 mins
  • ReversingLabs’ Saša Zdjelar on the ‘black box’ of commercial software

    ReversingLabs’ Saša Zdjelar on the ‘black box’ of commercial software
    Oct 17 2024
    This episode of Safe Mode explores the critical issue of software supply chain security with Saša Zdjelar, ReversingLabs' chief trust officer. Discover why the hidden components of commercial off-the-shelf software pose significant risks to enterprises and how current security practices fall short. We'll discuss the explosive growth in breaches due to third-party software, the limited utility of Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs), and the need for more comprehensive security assessments. Saša will share insights on how to effectively "open the black box," enabling companies to identify threats and ensure compliance before deploying applications. In our reporter chat, CyberScoop senior reporter Tim Starks talks with Greg Otto about the indictments brought against Anonymous Sudan. LINK: https://cyberscoop.com/alleged-anonymous-sudan-leaders-charged-prolific-gangs-tool-disabled/
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    30 mins
  • Cal-Berkeley’s Elijah Baucom on how students are helping nonprofits avoid spyware

    Cal-Berkeley’s Elijah Baucom on how students are helping nonprofits avoid spyware
    Oct 10 2024
    How can small nonprofits and civic organizations defend themselves against some of the most insidious malware on the planet? By reaching out to Elijah Baucom. The director of Citizen Clinic at UC Berkeley, Baucom runs a public-interest cybersecurity program that trains students to support organizations in defending against cyber threats. A digital security expert and educator, Baucom talks with Greg Otto about making cybersecurity resources accessible to all students and vulnerable groups, drawing on his extensive background in management consulting and network engineering. In our reporter chat, Greg talks with Derek Johnson about the work OpenAI is doing to prevent malicious actors from user generative AI in their schemes. LINK: https://cyberscoop.com/openai-threat-report-foreign-influence-generative-ai/
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    29 mins
  • Mandiant’s Michael Barnhart on the North Korean IT worker crisis

    Mandiant’s Michael Barnhart on the North Korean IT worker crisis
    Oct 3 2024
    Since 2022, Mandiant has tracked North Korean IT workers who, posing as non-North Koreans, secure employment in various industries to fund DPRK's weapons programs, often engaging in cyber intrusions with the help of foreign facilitators. In this episode, CyberScoop Editor-in-Chief Greg Otto talks with Mandiant’s Michael Barnhart on what is going on in terms of North Korea’s goals, and how organizations can take precautions to prevent remote worker fraud. Greg also talks to CyberScoop reporter AJ Vicens on the latest LockBit takedown, which was conducted by a host of different countries. LINK: https://cyberscoop.com/russian-cybercrime-raids-cryptex-uaps/
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    38 mins
  • Trellix’s John Fokker on the latest cybercriminal snapshot

    Trellix’s John Fokker on the latest cybercriminal snapshot
    Sep 26 2024
    CyberScoop Editor-in-Chief Greg Otto was out at Mandiant's mWISE conference last week, and talked with Trellix’s head of threat intelligence, John Fokker, about a host of different subjects. In the first portion of the interview, Greg and John discuss how the Ransomware-as-a-Service landscape has changed in the past year, and how threat actors have adjusted to the changes the industry has made in order to stop their schemes. In the second half, Greg and John talk about threat actors’ use of AI, which is in its experimentation phrase (like everyone else). In the reporter chat, Greg talks with AJ Vicens about research that shows how the walls are closing in on a suspect responsible for breaches tied to Snowflake. LINK: https://cyberscoop.com/snowflake-hacker-judische-labscon-2024/
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    40 mins
  • How organizations are handing AI security

    How organizations are handing AI security
    Sep 19 2024
    AI is transforming how companies secure their IT infrastructure, especially in industries like airlines, health care, retail, and telecommunications, which rely on applications and APIs for seamless digital experiences. However, there's a risk of companies improperly deploying AI tools or using insecure vendors, potentially leading to widespread data breaches and operational outages. CyberScoop Editor-in-Chief Greg Otto talks with F5 Networks CTO Kunal Anand about the increasing challenges in IT security and complexity as more AI applications are adopted and what companies should focus on to safeguard their systems as policies and regulations evolve. CyberScoop reporter Derek B. Johnson also sits down with Greg to talk about a congressional hearing that heavily focused on cybersecurity issues for election officials ahead of November.
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    43 mins
  • We’re back! RunSafe CEO Joe Saunders on secure-by-design in IoT devices

    We’re back! RunSafe CEO Joe Saunders on secure-by-design in IoT devices
    Sep 12 2024
    Secure-by-design transforms secure code from an afterthought to an inherent feature, weaving a resilient shield directly into the fabric of every application and device from the ground up. But while everyone’s mind gravitates toward the ocean of software we all use, how does secure-by-design translate to the Internet of Things? In this episode, CyberScoop Editor-in-Chief Greg Otto talks with RunSafe CEO Joe Saunders on how to incentivize manufacturers to create secure IoT devices. CyberScoop reporter Christian Vasquez also sits down with Greg to talk about two projects launched at this year’s DEF CON aimed at using volunteers to respond to localized cyber incidents.
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    30 mins
  • Ted Schlein on the cybersecurity industry and the latest twist in the Trump-Iran hacking saga

    Ted Schlein on the cybersecurity industry and the latest twist in the Trump-Iran hacking saga
    Aug 22 2024
    If you want to understand cybersecurity policy, it’s not enough to focus on Washington D.C. — you have to also grok the American tech industry. Few people have bridged that divide more effectively than Ted Schlein, the legendary venture capitalist who is currently at Ballistic Ventures. On this episode of Safe Mode, he sits down with host Elias Groll to discuss Washington D.C., Silicon Valley and the relationship between the two. CyberScoop senior reporter AJ Vicens also joins the show to discuss the latest developments regarding Iran’s efforts to hack Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
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    46 mins