Secure Talk Podcast

Justin Beals
Secure Talk Podcast

Secure Talk reviews the latest threats, tips, and trends on security, innovation, and compliance. Host Justin Beals interviews leading privacy, security and technology executives to discuss best practices related to IT security, data protection and compliance. Based in Seattle, he previously served as the CTO of NextStep and Koru, which won the 2018 Most Impactful Startup award from Wharton People Analytics. He is the creator of the patented Training, Tracking & Placement System and the author of “Aligning curriculum and evidencing learning effectiveness using semantic mapping of learning assets,” published in the International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJet). Justin earned a BA from Fort Lewis College.

  1. Unveiling the Secrets of Cryptography with Panos Louridas: Early Computing, Encryption, and Modern Challenges

    JAN 28

    Unveiling the Secrets of Cryptography with Panos Louridas: Early Computing, Encryption, and Modern Challenges

    In this episode of SecureTalk, host Justin Beals warmly welcomes Panos Louridas for an insightful discussion on the history, evolution, and future of cryptography. Panos has deep expertise and authored a book called  "Cryptography"  that helps explain the history of keeping secrets, important innovations in the field and the mathematical functions of effective encryption.  They delve into Panos's early interest in computing, starting with a ZX Spectrum and his recent book on cryptography, which aims to make complex algorithms accessible to those with a high school level of mathematics. The conversation traverses the critical role of cryptography in our digital lives, the potential impacts of quantum computing, and the practical aspects of key management in modern web applications. Panos also shares captivating stories from the history of the Enigma machine and discusses the ongoing arms race in cryptography. Perfect for cybersecurity experts, this episode offers a rich blend of historical anecdotes, technical insights, and future-looking perspectives. Book: Louridas, Panos. (2024) Cryptography. MIT Press.            00:00 Welcome to SecureTalk 00:28 The Importance of Cryptography 02:21 Introducing Panos Louridas 03:41 Panos Louridas' Journey into Computing 06:11 The Evolution of Cryptography 12:13 The Enigma Machine and Its Legacy 19:03 Security by Obscurity: A Fallacy 22:32 Speculations on NSA Backdoors 23:21 Government Contributions to Cryptography 24:51 Evolution and Security of AES 27:10 Challenges in Generating Randomness 28:15 Quantum Computing and Cryptography 33:45 Key Management in Modern Web Applications 36:53 TLS and AES: Understanding Their Relationship 39:01 The Human Factor in Cryptography 40:38 Making Cryptography Accessible 42:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    44 min
  2. From Botnets to AI Health: Michael Tiffany’s Mission to Empower Personal Data Sovereignty

    JAN 21

    From Botnets to AI Health: Michael Tiffany’s Mission to Empower Personal Data Sovereignty

    In 2000 the internet was expanding at an astronomical rate. Consumers were logging in via dial-up modems by the hundreds of millions and businesses were racing to maximize their footprint in the digital world. A hacker named Onel de Guzman living in the Philippines had been playing with a script called “I Love You”. Distributed via email, it could assume secret control of an individual's computer from a centralized control. The “I Love You” virus spread to over 50 million computers, creating the world's largest botnet. Michael Tiffany and his co-founders were aware of these types of cyber attacks and wanted to ensure the Internet worked for businesses wanting to connect with consumers. They founded Human Security, one of the first companies to combat botnet activity for major brands and today a very powerful cybersecurity company for major corporations. In this episode of Secure Talk, host Justin Beals interviews Michael Tiffany, co-founder of Human Security and the current leader of Fulcra Dynamics. Michael shares his early experiences with computers and his journey into cybersecurity, discussing topics the founding of Human Security as a solution for botnets, ad fraud, and early “Know Your Customer” challenges. He explains his current company, Fulcra's mission to empower individuals by unifying their personal data and promoting privacy and control in the age of AI. Listen as Michael reflects on the ethical responsibilities in technology and shares his vision for a future where individuals have sovereignty over their data. 00:00 Introduction to SecureTalk 00:32 Host's Journey into Computer Science 01:39 Introducing Michael Tiffany 03:12 Michael Tiffany's Early Experiences 15:26 The Birth of Human Security 20:56 Challenges and Innovations in Cybersecurity 27:11 Fulcra Dynamics: Empowering Personal Data 37:22 Vision for the Future of AI and Data Sovereignty 43:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    45 min
  3. Cryptography, Quantum Computing, and the Future of Security with Dr. Bill Anderson

    JAN 14

    Cryptography, Quantum Computing, and the Future of Security with Dr. Bill Anderson

    Without the ability to keep secrets, our internet would fail. Without effective cryptography the internet would never have graduated from the hobbyist interest. And we have great examples of networks without effective encryption like the worldwide HAM radio operators. I’ve been utilizing cryptography in the development of web applications since my first professional web application development work. Although I’ve rarely understood the underlying technology and mathematics of cryptography. In this episode of SecureTalk, our guest is Dr. Bill Anderson, an expert in cryptography. Bill shares his journey into the field, starting as a student in electrical and computer engineering. He inadvertently ventured into cryptography during his postgraduate studies. He discusses the evolution of cryptography, its historical context, and the impact of quantum computing on current cryptographic methods. We explore various topics, including public key cryptography, digital signatures, and the ongoing need for crypto agility. Bill also provides insights into his current role as Principal Product Lead at Mattermost, a secure collaboration platform focused on data sovereignty and security. This episode offers a comprehensive look at modern cryptographic techniques and the challenges posed by future advancements in computing, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in cybersecurity and cryptography. 00:00 Welcome to SecureTalk: Introduction and Host Introduction 00:33 The Role of Security in Business Growth 01:55 Introducing Dr. Bill Anderson: A Security Expert 03:57 Dr. Anderson's Journey into Cryptography 05:35 The Evolution of Security and Cryptography 08:11 Understanding Business and Technology Landscapes 13:56 Mattermost: A Secure Collaboration Platform 22:01 The History and Methods of Cryptography 25:01 Understanding Public and Private Keys 25:58 Digital Signatures and Authentication 27:12 The Open Research Model in Cryptography 28:31 Challenges in Cryptographic Security 31:02 Quantum Computing and Cryptography 35:38 The Future of Cryptographic Systems 42:04 NIST's Role in Quantum-Safe Cryptography 49:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    51 min
  4. Inventing Threat Intelligence: The Story Behind Eldon Sprickerhoff's Startup Success

    JAN 7

    Inventing Threat Intelligence: The Story Behind Eldon Sprickerhoff's Startup Success

    Eldon Spickerhoff founded eSentire in 2001. He had been a Senior Information Security Engineer for ING Prime after completing his academic work at Waterloo University. At the time the cybersecurity solutions marketplace was primarily a services offering, focusing on vulnerability scanning. The team at eSentire realized that the tools deployed in vulnerability scanning to internal systems could be left running post a services engagement. And in the process they invented an ‘always on’ threat intelligence solution. In 2022 eSentire added storied private equity firm Warburg-Pincus to their cap table and achieved unicorn status with a valuation of one billion dollars. In this engaging episode of SecureTalk, host Justin Beals invites Eldon Sprickerhoff, a seasoned cybersecurity expert and founder of eSentire, to share his journey. Eldon graduated with a computer science degree from Waterloo University in 1991 and went on to establish a leading managed security services provider. During the conversation, Eldon reflects on his early career concerns and the macroeconomic challenges he faced during a recession. He also shares insights from his book, *Committed*, which explores the realities of startup life. The discussion highlights essential strategies for navigating the cybersecurity marketplace, the importance of founder-led sales, and the significant challenges and opportunities within the cybersecurity field. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on entrepreneurship, real-time vulnerability scans, and the impact of AI and quantum computing on cybersecurity. Link to the Book: Commited: Startup Survival Tips and Uncommon Sense for First-Time Tech Founders https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/product/committed/

    44 min
  5. Unlocking AI’s Potential Privately, Safely and Responsibly with Dan Clarke

    12/10/2024

    Unlocking AI’s Potential Privately, Safely and Responsibly with Dan Clarke

    Privacy laws in our modern computing era have been around for well over twenty years. The conversation around appropriate privacy measures and effective governance of data has matured quite nicely since the early days of the Internet. While breaches do continue to happen, laws like GDPR, HIPAA and CCPA have helped set expectations for ethical and effective privacy practices. But we are in the midst of a massive proliferation of generative AI models. Since the technology is so nascent our expectations of privacy are being reshaped. An AI model is fundamentally a mathematical representation of a large data set. Its probabilistic function will create information depending on the prompts it can be given. Deep in the model the data used to ‘train’ it still leaves a fingerprint of the source information. What are the expectations for privacy, copyright and safety to those of us that have shared information on the internet? In this episode of Secure Talk, host Justin Beals engages in a comprehensive discussion with Dan Clarke,  about the significant impact of AI. The conversation begins with Dan’s early days in computing and follows his journey into developing AI governance. They explore the transformative effects of AI in comparison to historical technological innovations, as well as the risks and biases that are inherent in AI systems. Additionally, they discuss current and future legal compliance issues. Dan shares personal anecdotes related to privacy challenges and the applicability of AI, emphasizing the importance of transparency, thorough risk assessment, and bias testing in AI implementations. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the ethical and responsible use of AI technology in today's applications. 00:00 Welcome to SecureTalk: Exploring Information Security 00:32 The Evolving Landscape of Privacy and AI 01:47 Introducing Dan Clark: AI Privacy Leader 03:10 Dan Clark's Journey: From Intel to Privacy Advocacy 04:14 The Impact of AI: Paradigm Shifts and Privacy Concerns 06:08 Personal Data and Privacy: A Real-Life Story 08:45 The Importance of Data Control and Fairness 13:10 AI Governance and Legal Responsibilities 21:02 Current Laws Impacting AI and Privacy 26:47 Legal Basis for Data Usage 27:01 Introduction to Truio and InnerEdge 27:29 The Birth of Truio: Addressing GDPR 28:39 AI Governance and Federal Privacy Law 30:48 Transparent AI Practices 31:58 Understanding AI Risks and Transparency 36:52 AI Use Cases and Risk Assessment 44:57 Bias Testing and AI Governance 50:39 Concluding Thoughts on AI and Governance Link: https://get.truyo.com/ai-governance-training

    53 min
4.8
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Secure Talk reviews the latest threats, tips, and trends on security, innovation, and compliance. Host Justin Beals interviews leading privacy, security and technology executives to discuss best practices related to IT security, data protection and compliance. Based in Seattle, he previously served as the CTO of NextStep and Koru, which won the 2018 Most Impactful Startup award from Wharton People Analytics. He is the creator of the patented Training, Tracking & Placement System and the author of “Aligning curriculum and evidencing learning effectiveness using semantic mapping of learning assets,” published in the International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJet). Justin earned a BA from Fort Lewis College.

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