Razorwire Cyber Security Insights

Razorthorn Security
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  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

Cybersecurity is evolving — and so should you. Razorwire brings the open conversations that give you the edge. Welcome to the Razorwire podcast — your resource for practical advice, expert insights, and real-world conversations on cybersecurity, information security (InfoSec), risk management, governance, security leadership, human factors, and industry trends. Our mission is to help you build a stronger cybersecurity career while supporting a dynamic, agile community of professionals committed to continuous improvement. Each episode brings you actionable advice and real experiences from your host, James Rees — an information security specialist with over 25 years of experience — and from a range of respected guests across the cybersecurity industry. Together, we explore everything from technical strategies and compliance challenges to security culture, communication skills, and leadership development. James Rees is the founder of Razorthorn Security, providing expert consultancy and testing services to a wide range of organisations, including many Fortune 500 companies. His practical, no-nonsense approach helps organisations manage cybersecurity risks effectively while strengthening resilience. The Razorwire podcast is designed for cybersecurity professionals who want to stay ahead, sharpen their skills, and confidently respond to the challenges of today's evolving threat landscape. We believe collaboration is key to stronger security — and Razorwire gives you the conversations that help you achieve it. For more information about us, or if you have questions you'd like discussed on the show, email podcast@razorthorn.com or visit www.razorthorn.com.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    No Honour Amongst Thieves: The Hidden World of Hackers and Cyber Criminals

    Is there really honour amongst cybercriminals or is it every hacker for themselves? On this episode of Razorwire, I’m joined by Martin Voelk, a seasoned ethical hacker, to take a look at how the world’s most notorious cybercriminal groups really operate. We trace the journey from early hacking culture to today’s sprawling underworld of digital organised crime. Along the way, we ask: What does "hacker" truly mean and who actually gets caught when the authorities close in? We discuss the blurred lines between white hat and black hat hackers and why some of the most skilled operators never set foot in the countries they target. Martin and I explore the various motivations behind cyber attacks, from ideology to pure profit and debate why classic notions of criminal “honour” simply don’t hold up in this ruthless business. We share stories from both sides of the fence - how cyber gangs operate like corporations, how rivalry and betrayal play out behind the scenes and why it’s never been easier to get started in cybercrime (if you’re not fussy about the law). The episode closes with a stark look at the arms race between attackers and defenders and what it means for the future of cybersecurity. Three key talking points Fresh Perspectives on Hacker Mentality:Martin breaks down the difference between hackers, researchers and outright criminals, challenging media stereotypes. We examine why understanding attacker psychology isn’t just academic - it’s essential for building better defences.Behind the Scenes of Cybercrime-as-a-Service:Hear how today’s criminal groups mirror legitimate organisations, complete with their own HR, development teams and even “scapegoats” to throw authorities off their trail. Discover what this corporatisation means for detection, attribution and response.The Global Chessboard: Tactics, Rivalries and AI Advances:Learn why the most effective cyber operators operate with impunity from certain countries, protected through corruption and international legal gaps. We unpack how rivalries really play out, the role of AI in hands of both attackers and defenders and what to expect as attack automation accelerates. Tune in and arm yourself with real-world insights that go beyond the headlines - because what you don’t know about the criminal underground could be your biggest risk. AI-Powered Cyber Threats Target Weaker Defences: "Because the hackers are predominantly looking at the weakest targets, does it make sense to hack into the most sophisticated bank in the United States? Or do I rather target a mid-sized bank in Mexico where I already know that they had previous security vulnerabilities?" Martin Voelk Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform: https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen In this episode, we covered the following topics:The Evolution of Hackingspan class="ql-ui"...

    55 min

  2. 28 JAN

    What’s Making 2026 the Toughest Year Yet for CISOs

    What threats should CISOs prioritise as we move into 2026? Welcome to Razorwire, the podcast where we share our take on the world of cybersecurity with direct, practical advice for professionals and business owners alike. I'm Jim and in this episode, we're looking ahead to the challenges facing security leaders in 2026. I'm joined by Richard Cassidy, EMEA CISO at Rubrik, and together, we discuss the three themes dominating CISO conversations: navigating the expanding regulatory landscape, preparing for quantum computing's impact on existing cryptography and understanding how attackers are shifting from loud ransomware to quiet economic warfare through time drag operations. Summary This episode examines the strategic and operational challenges CISOs face in 2026. The conversation covers how evolving regulations require fundamental changes to business operations and threat response, why tabletop exercises with executive teams are becoming standard practice for testing organisational maturity and how quantum computing is moving from theoretical concern to practical planning requirement. Richard and Jim discuss the technological shifts happening simultaneously with AI and quantum computing and why security awareness gained during the pandemic is being eroded by the race to implement new technologies without proper security consideration. The episode explores how attackers are evolving beyond traditional ransomware towards time drag operations that threaten business continuity without triggering incident declarations and why the combination of deepfakes and AI-driven social engineering represents a fundamental challenge to shared reality. Three Key Talking Points: The Regulatory Burden and Tabletop Testing Learn about the regulatory challenges CISOs face across DORA, NIS2 and evolving frameworks, plus why organisations are increasingly running tabletop exercises with executive teams. Discover how war gaming activities help boards understand real-world breach scenarios and test organisational maturity beyond traditional red teaming. Find out how recent breaches at companies like Ubisoft, M&S and Jaguar Land Rover are driving leadership to take security seriously. Quantum Computing's Imminent Impact Understand why quantum computing has moved from background concern to top-three CISO priority for 2026 to 2028. Explore the timeline for quantum threats to existing cryptography, what organisations need to do now to prepare for post-quantum cryptography and why there's significant uncertainty around adoption strategies. See how quantum computing combines with AI to create a tectonic shift in security technology that requires planning today. Time Drag Operations and Economic Warfare Discover the shift from loud ransomware to quiet time drag attacks where threat actors threaten extended operational downtime rather than data theft. Learn why boards will pay millions to restore business continuity without declaring cyber incidents and how attackers are exploiting the economic model where disruption costs more than ransom. Explore how this combines with AI-powered deepfakes and social engineering to create attacks that undermine shared reality itself. On the appearance of security: "The economic model of cybercrime has shifted from traditional theft to time drag. If attackers know they can present you with a problem where you're not going to be able to recover your key systems for an inordinate amount of time, there's a higher likelihood that you are going to pay for a level of data or knowledge that will get you back to operational efficiency rather quick." p...

    50 min

  3. 14 JAN

    Cryptocurrency: Good, Bad or Evil?

    Are cryptocurrencies revolutionising finance, or are they simply empowering cybercriminals and state-sponsored hackers? Welcome to Razorwire, the podcast where we share our take on the world of cybersecurity with direct, practical advice for professionals and business owners alike. I'm Jim, and in this episode, we're tackling one of the most polarising topics at the intersection of finance and security: cryptocurrency. I'm joined by Richard Cassidy, Oliver Rochford and Jonathan Care, and together, we debate whether Bitcoin has solved any real problems or simply enabled cybercriminals to operate at an unprecedented scale, with 98% of ransomware payments now made in cryptocurrency. Summary This episode looks at how cryptocurrency has impacted real-world security and policy, including how it has facilitated over $3 billion in theft by state-sponsored groups like Lazarus to fund North Korea's nuclear programme and romance scams that have drained 4.6 billion victims with zero recourse. Everything illegal in traditional financial markets is legal in crypto. Yet in Argentina, Venezuela and Nigeria, people use it to preserve value against hyperinflation and bypass authoritarian controls. The debate centres on whether governments truly control crypto through exchanges and legal tender conversion, whether blockchain transparency helps law enforcement more than it helps criminals and whether ransomware payment rates dropping to 19% proves cybersecurity is winning despite crypto, not because of it. Three key talking points from this episode: Criminal Infrastructure and the Ransomware Economy. Find out how cryptocurrency is used for ransomware payments and how this has enabled the ransomware epidemic. Learn about state-sponsored theft, romance scams operating at an industrial scale and why dark web marketplaces like Hydra and AlphaBay succeeded Silk Road in facilitating organised crime. Discover the impact of payment rates dropping to 19% as companies choose disaster recovery over paying criminals.Government Control vs Decentralisation Claims. Explore the heated debate about whether governments truly control cryptocurrency through regulating exchanges and legal tender conversion or whether the protocol itself remains ungovernable. Learn why KYC requirements at exchanges undermine the original vision of anonymity, how states force participation through tax requirements and whether crypto can function without an army to back it. Real-World Use Cases vs Original Promises. Discover how cryptocurrency is being used in Argentina, Venezuela and Nigeria to preserve value against hyperinflation and bypass authoritarian capital controls. Examine whether these legitimate use cases justify a technology that hasn't solved its original problems: transaction speed remains too slow for real-time use, energy consumption is enormous compared to Visa, scalability hasn't improved and volatility undermines its claim as a stable store of value. If you’re a cybersecurity professional looking to understand both the promise and peril of cryptocurrency, this episode is essential listening. On the lawless nature of cryptocurrency: "Every scam, every market rig that has been outlawed in real world money markets is wide open in crypto. As Richard points out, we're not only deregulated, it is lawless." Jonathan Care Listen to...

    49 min

  4. 24/12/2025

    The Razorwire Christmas Special 2025: Looking Back, Looking Forward

    What happens when you gather some of the sharpest minds in cybersecurity for an end-of-year chat about where we've been and where we're heading? Welcome to Razorwire's Christmas special. Today I’m chatting with some of our favourite guests from 2025: clinical traumatologist Eve Parmiter, cyber futurist Oliver Rochford, CISO and podcast host Marius Poskus and occupational psychologist Bec McKeown for roundup of the cybersecurity industry this year. This isn't a glossy year-in-review full of predictions and corporate optimism. We're talking about what's actually happened: how our teams are STILL burning out, the junior pipeline that's being hollowed out by premature AI deployment, the CISOs who are resigning because they're handed accountability without support and the businesses that want the appearance of security rather than the reality of it. Summary 2025 has been a year of contradictions. Fewer ransomware victims are paying up, which suggests resilience is working. But burnout rates in cybersecurity remain above 59% and the systemic issues causing it aren't being addressed. Oliver brings data showing that AI-driven threat intelligence has been more marketing than reality. Marius shares why his CISO resignation letter post hit over 300,000 impressions and 3,400 comments. Eve explores whether there could be legal protections for cybersecurity professionals experiencing occupational trauma. Bec questions why security teams are expected to work under military-level pressure with none of the training or support. We’re also looking ahead to 2026. Oliver predicts salaries will rise. Marius sees organisations scrambling to fix the mess that AI has created. Eve and Bec discuss what the younger generation might teach us about boundaries and refusing to put up with workplace nonsense. And we all agree on one thing: gravity needs levity. If you're going to survive in this industry, you REALLY need to laugh. Three Key Talking Points: The Theatre of Security Understand why organisations hire CISOs for accountability but don't give them budget, support or a seat at decision making tables. Marius explains how this creates a cycle where security leaders are blamed when things go wrong, despite having no power to prevent them. The Junior Pipeline Crisis Discover why premature AI deployment is hollowing out entry-level roles across industries, including cybersecurity and law. We discuss the long term consequences of replacing junior analysts with AI before understanding what you're losing. Burnout as Occupational Trauma Learn why burnout in cybersecurity isn't just about individual resilience. Eve explores whether legal protections could be granted for work that causes inescapable harm, drawing parallels with content moderators and healthcare workers. If you want an honest conversation about the state of cybersecurity in 2025 and what's coming in 2026, this is it. On the appearance of security: "Companies do not want security. They want the appearance of security. They hire a CISO to be the person who's accountable, the person who's on insurance papers, the person's name who's on client contracts, the person who is a face of the company of doing security, but actually he's not supported in budgetary terms in any other way." Marius Poskus Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform: https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen In this episode, we covered the following topics:li...

    1h 16m

  5. 10/12/2025

    Burnout in Cybersecurity: Preparing Cyber Staff for the Reality, Not Just the Role

    Is burnout in cybersecurity inevitable, or are we finally learning how to prevent it? Welcome to Razorwire. In this episode, I sit down with clinical traumatologist Eve Parmiter and occupational psychologist Bec McKeown to talk about what's really happening in high pressure cyber roles. This isn't about vague wellness advice or corporate tick-box exercises. We're looking at the actual mechanics of burnout: why CISOs are breaking under impossible expectations, how remote work has changed team dynamics and what the early warning signs look like before someone hits crisis point. If you work in cybersecurity, particularly in leadership or incident response, this conversation offers strategies you can use today. Summary Two-thirds of cybersecurity professionals say their jobs are more stressful now than they were five years ago. The pressure is mounting, but the support systems aren't keeping pace. In this conversation, Eve and Bec bring research, clinical experience and real examples to explain why burnout is becoming an occupational hazard in cyber teams. We talk about the gap between a CISO's responsibility and their actual authority, why technical skills alone won't protect your team from collapse and how to spot the signs that someone is struggling before it becomes a crisis. We also cover what actually works: building teams that can handle pressure, creating cultures where people feel safe to speak up and finding peer support through initiatives like the Mental Health in Cybersecurity Foundation. Three Key Talking Points: Human Factors and the Reality of Leadership BurnoutUnderstand why burnout is becoming an occupational hazard for cyber leaders, especially CISOs, who are caught between responsibility and a lack of real power. Learn how unaddressed team dynamics, poor succession planning and social isolation create stress that technical controls alone cannot fix.Spotting Burnout Early - Inside and Around YouGet practical advice on identifying warning signs in yourself and your colleagues. We discuss real strategies for managers and peers: recognising behavioural changes, loss of humour, withdrawal and other ‘red flags’ that are far more accurate than any policy checklist.Building Resilience and Finding Peer SupportDiscover actionable steps for resilience, beyond ‘just coping’, including the creation of peer communities like the Mental Health in Cybersecurity Foundation. Find out how a shared community is essential to surviving and growing in this field. If you want real answers about burnout, actionable insights for your career and lessons from the frontline of cybersecurity wellbeing, this is one episode you can’t afford to skip. On power vs responsibility: “CISOs are a great example. You only have so much power, but you've got a high degree of responsibility, and personal responsibility coming into it. So that can feel very unfair and very unbalanced and that can create a lot of resentment.” Eve Parmiter Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform: https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen In this episode, we covered the following topics:Understanding Burnout Trends in Cybersecurity Learn why 66% of professionals report higher stress levels than five years ago and what's driving the increase across the industry.Recognising Human Factors as Security Risks Discover how overlooking team wellbeing creates vulnerabilities that no technical control can

    1h 8m

  6. 26/11/2025

    The Death of Passwords: The Future of Authentication

    Is passwordless authentication finally ready for prime time, or are we just replacing one set of problems with another? Welcome to Razorwire, the podcast where we share our take on the world of cybersecurity with direct, practical advice for professionals and business owners alike. I'm Jim and in this episode, we're tackling one of the oldest challenges in information security: identity and access management. I'm joined by David Higgins, CTO at CyberArk and Murtaza Hafizja, Senior Technical Product Marketing Leader from OneSpan, who bring decades of combined experience from the front lines of identity, authentication and access control. Together, we explore how the industry has evolved from simple username/password combinations to biometrics, passkeys and continuous authentication and where the technology is heading next. Summary We examine the persistent challenges around identity management, from the struggle between security and user convenience to the explosion of non-human identities that now need managing. David explains why privilege access management has evolved from credential vaulting to zero standing privileges and how cloud environments have created both opportunities and complexities with their tens of thousands of granular permissions. Murtaza tells us about the passwordless evolution, why risk-based authentication is making a comeback and the real barriers to rolling out modern authentication at scale. Whether you're a CISO wrestling with third-party access, an IT manager trying to balance security with productivity or just someone interested in where authentication is heading, you'll get honest perspectives on what works, what doesn't and what's actually achievable. Key Talking Points  The Passwordless Evolution and What It Really Means Learn why passwords are finally on their way out (mostly), how passkeys and biometrics have moved from niche to mainstream and why the technology that failed 20 years ago is now becoming the de facto standard for authentication.Zero Standing Privilege and the Cloud Permission Problem Discover how cloud environments have paradoxically made privilege management both more granular and more complex, why organisations are moving away from permanent permissions and how just-in-time access is becoming essential for modern infrastructure.Continuous Authentication and Behavioural Analysis Understand why a single login authentication isn't enough anymore, how attackers are owning identities by exploiting help desks and why monitoring user behaviour patterns might be the key to stopping credential-based attacks before they cause damage. On the security of key documentation:  "Attackers aren't breaking in anymore, they're logging in." David Higgins, CyberArk Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform: https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen In this episode, we covered the following topics:The Evolution of Identity Management How authentication has cycled through different approaches over 30 years, from basic username/password to biometrics that failed, then succeeded and why we're finally at a point where passwordless is achievable at scale.From Too Little Granularity to Too Much Why early operating systems forced an all-or-nothing approach to permissions, how cloud providers now offer tens of thousands of different roles and entitlements and why this has made principle of least privilege almost impossible to implement upfront.Zero Standing...

    55 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    How to Build Effective & Affordable Cyber Defences for SMEs

    How can small and medium businesses protect themselves from cyber threats without spending a fortune or just ticking boxes for compliance? Welcome to Razorwire, the podcast where we share our take on the world of cybersecurity with direct, practical advice for professionals and business owners alike. I’m Jim and in this episode, we’re taking a look into the challenges faced by SMEs on the journey through cybersecurity compliance and insurance. I’m joined by Lewis Lockwood from Incursion and Josh X of Capsule, who bring experience from the front lines of offensive security and insurance broking. Together, we tackle the misconception that security is prohibitively expensive and explore how smart strategies can strengthen your defences without breaking the bank. Summary We tackle a topic at the heart of SME cybersecurity struggles - from box-ticking compliance to negotiating cyber insurance and surviving data breaches. Lewis Lockwood explains why Cyber Essentials is more than a paperwork exercise and how agility can be a secret weapon for smaller companies. Josh X talks about the realities of selling cyber insurance to resource-stretched businesses, the importance of aligning insurance with actual security posture and the real risks hidden even in smaller businesses. Whether you’re a founder, IT manager or just curious about how attackers think, you’ll get practical advice, cautionary tales and actionable steps you can take today. Key Talking Points  Cyber Essentials as Practical Defence, Not Just Compliance Learn why basic frameworks like Cyber Essentials shield SMEs from common attacks, offering affordable, actionable protection that goes well beyond box-ticking.How Insurance and Security Must Work Together Discover the realities of cyber insurance for small businesses, including why your security posture affects premiums and claims, and what actually happens if you’re hit by ransomware or invoice fraud.Learning from Real-World Breaches and SME Pitfalls Hear first hand stories about high profile incidents, negotiation tactics with threat actors and how even a local florist or butcher can be targeted. Understand why continuous education, simple security controls and the right insurance mix can prevent both financial disaster and sleepless nights. Tune in for a conversation that’s honest, insightful and practical - with takeaways you can put into action immediately, no matter your company size. On the security of key documentation:  “Where are you storing your insurance documents? If someone wants to get into your network, the easiest thing to do is to look at their insurance documents and be like, okay, they've got a million pound limit, let me ask for £2 mil.” Josh X, Capsule Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform: https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen In this episode, we covered the following topics:Cybersecurity Cost Perceptions Why the belief that security is prohibitively expensive for SMEs is misleading and what actually drives costs.The Role of Cyber Essentials How Cyber Essentials provides a practical, affordable security baseline for small and medium businesses without breaking the bank.Insurance as a Safety Net Why cyber insurance can't replace proper security measures and how to understand its role as a last resort, not a first line of defence.SME Agility in Security How smaller organisations can use their size as an...

    48 min

  8. 29/10/2025

    How Cybercriminals are using AI - and How to Defend Against It

    What happens when the dark side gets its hands on cutting-edge AI and why might even seasoned defenders find themselves playing catch-up? Welcome back to Razorwire, where I’m joined by Oliver Rochford and Richard Cassidy to discuss how criminals are using AI, what's actually working and how the threat landscape is changing. We explore how adversaries are using AI, what’s actually working in the wild and how professionals can prepare for the unsettling pace of change. Summary: We discuss AI-powered phishing, deepfakes in recruitment and self-evolving malware. The conversation moves beyond the classic image of lone hackers, unveiling an economy of cybercrime with advanced automation, international collaboration and ruthless incentives. The real tension lies in whether AI is simply sharpening existing attack tools or if we’re on the brink of something genuinely new and autonomous. We dissect economic shifts in attack and defence and raises questions about resilience, readiness and just how quickly the future may arrive. 3 Key Talking Points: AI in current attacks: Discover how attackers are already automating phishing, password cracking and social engineering at scale, with some criminal campaigns boasting success rates that would have been unthinkable without AI.Deepfakes and infiltration: Hear real cases of attackers using AI-generated identities and language tools to pass job interviews and access company systems, including documented North Korean operations.The autonomy debate: Join the debate over whether we’re seeing the emergence of fully autonomous AI attacks or just more sophisticated versions of existing threats,  and what it means for risk management and defending against a fast-paced, well-funded adversary. Ideal for any cybersecurity professional looking for sharp perspectives and real-world examples on the present and future impact of AI in the hands of attackers.  The New Question for Cybersecurity: "We don't need to ask anymore, ‘Do we have good security?’ What we have to say, and what the question should be is, ‘Are we resilient when AI is being used against us? And how do we do that from a technology perspective?’ And there's no one answer." Richard Cassidy Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform: https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen In this episode, we covered:AI as the New Adversary Learn how criminals are using advanced AI tools to make cyber threats less predictable and harder to control.Phishing Supercharged by AI Discover why AI-generated phishing campaigns achieve significantly higher success rates than traditional attempts and what makes them harder to spot.Deepfakes and Recruitment Fraud Hear how attackers use deepfakes and voice-changing technology to impersonate job candidates and infiltrate organisations under false identities.Automation and Evolving Malware Explore the debate around whether malware can autonomously adapt and rewrite itself, reducing the need for human hackers to intervene directly.Limits of Current AI Threats Understand why truly autonomous, intelligent cyber attacks aren't widely observed in the wild yet, despite AI amplifying certain attack vectors.Economic Shift in Cybercrime See how AI has lowered costs and barriers to entry for cybercriminals, allowing attacks to scale rapidly...

    57 min
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About

Cybersecurity is evolving — and so should you. Razorwire brings the open conversations that give you the edge. Welcome to the Razorwire podcast — your resource for practical advice, expert insights, and real-world conversations on cybersecurity, information security (InfoSec), risk management, governance, security leadership, human factors, and industry trends. Our mission is to help you build a stronger cybersecurity career while supporting a dynamic, agile community of professionals committed to continuous improvement. Each episode brings you actionable advice and real experiences from your host, James Rees — an information security specialist with over 25 years of experience — and from a range of respected guests across the cybersecurity industry. Together, we explore everything from technical strategies and compliance challenges to security culture, communication skills, and leadership development. James Rees is the founder of Razorthorn Security, providing expert consultancy and testing services to a wide range of organisations, including many Fortune 500 companies. His practical, no-nonsense approach helps organisations manage cybersecurity risks effectively while strengthening resilience. The Razorwire podcast is designed for cybersecurity professionals who want to stay ahead, sharpen their skills, and confidently respond to the challenges of today's evolving threat landscape. We believe collaboration is key to stronger security — and Razorwire gives you the conversations that help you achieve it. For more information about us, or if you have questions you'd like discussed on the show, email podcast@razorthorn.com or visit www.razorthorn.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Razorthorn Security
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Razorthorn Security
  • Show Website
    Razorwire Cyber Security Insights