Cyberattacks have played a significant role in the war in Ukraine. Officials in Washington and Kyiv have blamed Russian hackers for targeting satellite systems and using digital assaults to execute disinformation and psychological warfare campaigns. Victor Zhora, the deputy chairman of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, is actively involved in defending against those attacks and talks to Safe Mode about the evolution of cyberwar in Ukraine. CyberScoop reporter AJ Vicens also joins the show to talk about his reporting on the cybercrime underworld and hacker forums such as BreachForums.

Victor Zhora on the frontlines of digital war between Ukraine and Russia

 In this episode of Safe Mode, host Greg Otto talks with Dave DeWalt,  founder and CEO of NightDragon, about advising boards and portfolio companies on making cyber a first-order business issue, not an afterthought. We’ll explore how emerging technologies and remote work reshape risk profiles, when a CISO belongs in the board conversation—or even in a board seat—and what training and metrics actually move the needle across non-technical teams. We’ll also unpack how to motivate leaders outside of IT to own cyber risk, the structures that drive enterprise-wide accountability, and what information boards should demand to ensure the right risks are being prioritized. From calibrating cyber risk appetite in shifting threat environments to staying ahead of evolving regulations across sectors like power and aviation, we’ll get practical on governance and disclosure.

In our reporter chat, Greg talks with Derek Johnson about the president’s possible push to end mail-in voting, and why the efforts are dead on arrival. 

Dave DeWalt on how to get a board to buy in on cybersecurity

Safe Mode Podcast

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