Ahead of the Threat: The FBI Cyber Podcast

Microsoft joins the conversation on all things Operation Winter SHIELD, the FBI’s list of the 10 most impactful cybersecurity actions for organizations big and small. Sherrod DeGrippo, general manager of Microsoft's Global Threat Intelligence, shares why she wrote a blog post about the Bureau’s effort with host Brett Leatherman, head of FBI Cyber. The two highlight the increasing role AI plays in initiating—and stopping—cyberattacks, how experts have observed that fundamental cybersecurity steps are enough to discourage a would-be hacker, and how security teams can be even more effective when they develop a partnership with software developers.

To start the show, Ahead of the Threat goes international! Brett discusses the critical role international cyber investigators play for the FBI with program manager Maeve Healy of the Global Partnership Program. They also explore recent news topics, including Operation Lightning, an alleged ransomware negotiator who secretly worked against his company, and industry’s growing calls to include AI in its cybersecurity toolbox.

Is a breach a security problem or a business problem? For guest Amy Herzog, CISO and vice president of Amazon Web Services, "security is what you bring to customers." Amy joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion with host Brett Leatherman on Operation Winter SHIELD. The two touch on how, in reality, AI makes bad hackers mediocre hackers; the importance of log retention (first mention this season!); that the most effective way to protect your business is by doing the basics (because most hackers succeed by exploiting the basics); and finally, learn how imagining yourself as a pilot puts you on the path for cybersecurity success. 

In the show's opening, Brett is joined by the head of the FBI's Cyber Operations, Deputy Assistant Director Jason Bilnoski. They discuss the takedowns of LeakBase and Tycoon 2FAs while also wondering...if hackers use AI to infiltrate a system, should owners use AI to protect those systems?

Search no further for an engaging, practical conversation from two cybersecurity experts! Diving into the FBI’s Operation Winter SHIELD initiative, John Hammond, the principal security researcher at Huntress, (who also has a YouTube channel with 2.1+ million subscribers) joins host Brett Leatherman for a wide-ranging discussion on hacking trends, how not every user in your organization needs full rights access, and that a basic inventory of IT equipment can be the most important cybersecurity step you take!

Starting the show, Brett is joined by Michael Machtinger, the FBI’s deputy assistant director for the Cyber Intelligence Branch. After learning how the branch supports the Bureau’s cyber mission, the two discuss “slave” hackers from North Korea, CISA’s latest recommendation for end-of-life devices, and how hackers use remote proxy servers to attack within the U.S.

In the first full episode for Season 2, host Brett Leatherman, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, welcomes the self-described cyberthreat hunter John Hultquist, the chief analyst of the Google Threat Intelligence Group. In their conversation, John highlights that not being hacked is unrealistic. Creating resilience, especially in how fast you can get back online following an attack, is the best mitigation approach. AI is also discussed, with John citing how since hackers use it to infiltrate systems, organizations must use AI in any countermeasure.

Brett also announces Operation Winter SHIELD, the FBI’s first-of-its-kind campaign to highlight the 10 most common ways the FBI sees companies get victimized by cyberattacks. Learn more at fbi.gov/wintershield.

The news segment also returns in Season 2, with Brett joined by special guest Kristin Grimes, an FBI unit chief in the Cyber Law Unit, discussing the effects of CISA 2015’s (maybe) reauthorization, edge device exploitation, and the White House’s executive order on AI.

Joint Advisories: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/cisa-uk-ncsc-fbi-unveil-principles-combat-cyber-risks-ot

In the first full episode for Season 2, host Brett Leatherman, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, welcomes the self-described cyberthreat hunter John Hultquist, the chief analyst of the Google Threat Intelligence Group. In their conversation, John highlights that not being hacked is unrealistic. Creating resilience, especially in how fast you can get back online following an attack, is the best mitigation approach. AI is also discussed, with John citing how since hackers use it to infiltrate systems, organizations must use AI in any countermeasure.

Brett also announces Operation Winter SHIELD, the FBI’s first-of-its-kind campaign to highlight the 10 most common ways the FBI sees companies get victimized by cyberattacks. Learn more at fbi.gov/wintershield.

The news segment also returns in Season 2, with Brett joined by special guest Kristin Grimes, an FBI unit chief in the Cyber Law Unit, discussing the effects of CISA 2015’s (maybe) reauthorization, edge device exploitation, and the White House’s executive order on AI.

Joint Advisories: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/cisa-uk-ncsc-fbi-unveil-principles-combat-cyber-risks-ot