Summary

Dr. Stephen Neely, an Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Public Administration program at the University of South Florida, discusses ransomware attacks and the need for ransomware readiness in organizations. Ransomware attacks use malicious software to gain unauthorized access to computer systems and demand a ransom in exchange for releasing information or restoring access. These attacks can have severe consequences, such as disrupting essential services and causing reputational damage. The conversation highlights the importance of closing the maturity gap for basic ransomware readiness and provides recommendations for the state legislature, including coordination, delegation, tracking progress, and providing informational and resource support. Cyber Florida is recognized as an organization that can play a significant role in society's relationship with ransomware by providing coordination, research support, technical support, and training for the future cyber workforce.

Keywords

ransomware attacks, ransomware readiness, malicious software, cyber resiliency, critical infrastructure, state legislature, coordination, delegation, tracking progress, resource support, Cyber Florida

Takeaways

• Ransomware attacks use malicious software to gain unauthorized access to computer systems and demand a ransom in exchange for releasing information or restoring access.
• Closing the maturity gap for basic ransomware readiness is crucial to protect organizations from evolving threats.
• Recommendations for the state legislature include coordination, delegation, tracking progress, and providing informational and resource support.
• Cyber Florida can play a significant role in society's relationship with ransomware by providing coordination, research support, technical support, and training for the future cyber workforce.

Titles

• Recommendations for the State Legislature
• Understanding Ransomware Attacks and Their Impact

Sound Bites

• "Can you briefly explain ransomware attacks, what they are and how they negatively impact organizations and provide a few examples?"
• "What makes ransomware attacks so effective is that they're simple."
• "A ransom isn't going to be an outrageous demand that no organization is going to meet."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Dr. Steven Neely

02:08 Understanding Ransomware Attacks

06:17 Closing the Maturity Gap for Ransomware Readiness

09:55 Gaps in Readiness and Recommendations

13:40 The Role of Cyber Florida in Ransomware Readiness

Summary

In this episode of Chat:CYBR, General Frank McKenzie discusses cyber warfare and its importance in defending the nation. He defines cyber warfare as a new domain of warfare that is limited only by the human mind and explains how it affects various aspects of society, including healthcare, transportation, and military operations. General McKenzie highlights the vulnerabilities of the United States in cyber warfare and the need for effective cyber defenses. He also discusses the concepts of cyber deterrence and defense, emphasizing the importance of protecting the civilian population. The conversation touches on the role of Cyber Florida in policy development and the challenges of dealing with terrorist organizations and criminal elements in the cyber domain.

Keywords

cyber warfare, defense, cyber deterrence, vulnerabilities, cyber domain, cyber defenses, civilian protection, policy development, terrorist organizations, criminal elements

Takeaways

• Cyber warfare is a new domain of warfare that is limited only by the human mind and affects various aspects of society.
• The United States is uniquely vulnerable in cyber warfare due to its dependence on cyber systems.
• Cyber deterrence and defense are important strategies in protecting the nation, with a focus on balancing the potential effects against the civilian population.
• Cyber Florida plays a role in policy development and bridging the gap between the state and federal government in cybersecurity.
• Dealing with terrorist organizations and criminal elements in the cyber domain presents unique challenges.

Titles

• The Role of Cyber Florida in Policy Development
• Understanding Cyber Warfare and Its Impact on Society

Sound Bites

• "How would you define cyber warfare? And when did you realize that cyber matters in terms of defending the nation?"
• "The United States is a prize fighter with a glass jaw."
• "What are some of our cyber defenses? And so for example, maybe cyber deterrence."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of General Frank McKenzie

01:10 Defining Cyber Warfare and Its Importance

04:24 The Vulnerabilities of the United States

07:10 Cyber Deterrence and Defense

09:40 The Role of Cyber Florida in Policy Development

13:43 Protecting the General Public in Cyber Warfare

16:28 The Inevitability of Cyber Dimension in Conflicts

17:34 Cyber Priorities and Advice for Policymakers

18:34 Closing Remarks

Summary

In this episode of Chat:CYBR, the hosts interview Brian Fonseca about artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for policy. They discuss the definition of AI, the importance of workforce development, the need for security and accountability in AI systems, and the challenges of data privacy and integrity. They also explore the impact of AI on critical infrastructure and academia, and the role of quantum computing in enhancing AI capabilities. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for thoughtful and responsible policy-making to harness the potential of AI while addressing its risks.

Keywords

artificial intelligence, AI, policy, workforce development, security, accountability, data privacy, data integrity, critical infrastructure, academia, quantum computing

Takeaways

• AI has the potential to revolutionize various sectors and impact society in significant ways.
• Workforce development is crucial to ensure that individuals have the skills to adapt to the changes brought about by AI.
• Security and accountability are essential considerations in the integration of AI into different domains.
• Data privacy and integrity are important challenges in AI, and policies should address these issues.
• AI has implications for critical infrastructure, and policymakers need to consider its impact on utilities and other sectors.
• In academia, AI raises questions about academic integrity and the need to teach students how to responsibly and ethically use AI tools.
• Quantum computing has the potential to enhance the power and capabilities of AI systems.
• Policy-making in the AI space requires agility and the ability to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.

Titles

• The Impact of AI on Critical Infrastructure
• Preparing the Workforce for the AI Revolution

Sound Bites

• "What is AI? Artificial intelligence. I mean, it is intelligent machines, right?"
• "There is going to be a tectonic shift in the job market and in the workforce in terms of the types of skills that are needed."
• "If you're going to integrate AI into every facet of society, how are you ensuring that it is done in a secure way? An accountable way."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of the Guest

02:00 Defining Artificial Intelligence

03:42 Policy Considerations for AI

09:19 Data Privacy and Integrity

12:35 AI's Impact on Critical Infrastructure

14:29 AI in Academia

19:07 The Role of Quantum Computing

21:57 Policy-Making in the AI Era

Summary

In this episode of Chat:CYBR, the hosts interview Mark Walsh, the Assistant Vice President for Government Relations at the University of South Florida (USF), to discuss the creation of Cyber Florida. The idea for Cyber Florida originated from discussions with personnel at MacDill Air Force Base, who identified cyber warfare as a major national security threat. With the support of Speaker Weatherford and the Board of Governors, Cyber Florida was established to address the shortage of cyber-trained professionals and enhance cybersecurity in the state. Over the years, Cyber Florida has provided workforce development, education, risk assessment, and training for state and local government employees. The recent formation of the new College of Cyber and AI at USF further strengthens the state's cybersecurity capabilities.

Keywords

Cyber Florida, USF, cybersecurity, government relations, MacDill Air Force Base, national security, workforce development, education, risk assessment, training, College of Cyber and AI

Takeaways

• Cyber Florida was created in response to the identified national security threat of cyber warfare.
• The establishment of Cyber Florida was supported by Speaker Weatherford and the Board of Governors.
• Cyber Florida has provided workforce development, education, risk assessment, and training for state and local government employees.
• The formation of the new College of Cyber and AI at USF further strengthens the state's cybersecurity capabilities.

Titles

• Expanding Capabilities: The Formation of the College of Cybersecurity, AI and Computing
• Enhancing Cybersecurity: Workforce Development, Education, and Training

Sound Bites

• "The genesis of Cyber Florida, where did it come from? It started with discussions that USF leadership was engaged in with MacDill Air Force base personnel."
• "The legislature enacted a little piece of proviso language in the state budget that didn't have any money attached to it, but it did say, we wanna have the Florida Center for Cybersecurity."
• "Cyber Florida has been a resource to the state of Florida by conducting a risk assessment, training state and local government employees, and providing workforce development and education."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chat:CYBER and Guest Introduction

02:02 The Genesis of Cyber Florida: Addressing the National Security Threat of Cyber Warfare

05:16 Building Partnerships: The Support of Speaker Weatherford and the Board of Governors

13:50 Enhancing Cybersecurity: Workforce Development, Education, and Training

21:56 Expanding Capabilities: The Formation of the College of Cyber and AI