Episodes

  • Modernizing Cybersecurity with Matt Rowe

    Modernizing Cybersecurity with Matt Rowe
    Sep 16 2025
    Matt Rowe, Chief Security Officer at Lloyds Bank, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea to explore the future of cybersecurity. They discuss the accelerating pace of change in the industry, from AI and automation to data-driven security practices and identity management. Matt shares how Lloyds Bank is modernizing its approach by reducing friction, upskilling teams, and fostering a growth mindset, while also laying foundations for resilience and agility across the financial ecosystem. The conversation highlights why now is the moment to rethink security strategies and how optimism, creativity, and collaboration can help defenders stay ahead. Resources: View Matt Rowe on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn Related Microsoft Podcasts: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast The BlueHat Podcast Uncovering Hidden Risks Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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    32 mins
  • From Bottlenecks to Breakthroughs: Aligning Legal and Security Teams

    From Bottlenecks to Breakthroughs: Aligning Legal and Security Teams
    Sep 2 2025
    Erez Liebermann, partner at Debevoise & Plimpton and a leading voice in cybersecurity and data privacy joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Together, they unpack how legal and security teams can act as strategic partners, aligning regulatory compliance with business priorities while preparing for and responding to incidents. Ezez offers actionable insights from real-world experience on breaking down silos, building trust, and balancing transparency with legal prudence during breaches. Listeners gain practical strategies for fostering cross-functional collaboration, improving incident response, and strengthening organizational resilience in today’s evolving threat landscape. Resources: View Erez Liebermann on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn Related Microsoft Podcasts: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast The BlueHat Podcast Uncovering Hidden Risks Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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    39 mins
  • The Psychology of Speaking Up with Amy Edmondson

    The Psychology of Speaking Up with Amy Edmondson
    Aug 19 2025
    Amy Edmondson, Harvard Business School professor and psychological safety pioneer joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Together they discuss how creating psychologically safe environments allows teams, especially in high-pressure fields like cybersecurity, to speak up about early warnings, embrace the red, and learn from failure. Amy shares her framework for distinguishing between intelligent, basic, and complex failures, and offers practical guidance for leaders looking to build high-performing, resilient teams in uncertain, fast-moving environments. Resources: View Amy Edmondson on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn Related Microsoft Podcasts: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast The BlueHat Podcast Uncovering Hidden Risks Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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    32 mins
  • Nasrin Rezai on the Frontlines of Cybersecurity

    Nasrin Rezai on the Frontlines of Cybersecurity
    Aug 5 2025
    Nasrin Rezai, SVP and CISO at Verizon joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Nasrin shares practical defense strategies for hard-to-secure legacy systems, emphasizes the importance of zero trust, and explains why cybersecurity is now a matter of national defense. Despite the challenges, she closes with optimism, believing that innovation, collaboration, and a new generation of cyber leaders will shape a more secure future. Resources: View Nasrin Rezai on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn Related Microsoft Podcasts: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast The BlueHat Podcast Uncovering Hidden Risks Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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    29 mins
  • Encore: Hugh Thompson on Building the RSA Conference

    Encore: Hugh Thompson on Building the RSA Conference
    Jul 29 2025
    Please enjoy this encore episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea while Ann Johnson and team are taking a break. Dr. Hugh Thompson⁠, Executive Chairman of RSA Conference and Managing Partner at Crosspoint Capital joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. They discuss what goes into planning the world’s largest cybersecurity conference—from theme selection to llama-related surprises on the expo floor—and how the RSA community continues to evolve. Hugh also shares how his background in applied math led him from academia to cybersecurity, his thoughts on the human element in security, and what keeps him optimistic about the future of the industry. Resources: ⁠View Hugh Thompson on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn⁠ Related Microsoft Podcasts: ⁠Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast⁠ ⁠The BlueHat Podcast⁠ ⁠Uncovering Hidden Risks⁠ Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at⁠ ⁠⁠microsoft.com/podcasts⁠ Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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    38 mins
  • Encore: Cybercrime and Storytelling with Jack Rhysider

    Encore: Cybercrime and Storytelling with Jack Rhysider
    Jul 15 2025
    Please enjoy this encore episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea while Ann Johnson and team are taking a break. Jack Rhysider, the creator and host of cybersecurity podcast Darknet Diaries joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Jack shares his journey from network security engineer to self-taught storyteller, detailing how his passion for cybersecurity and relentless dedication to learning and marketing helped him build an independent media powerhouse. He discusses the challenges of growing the podcast from scratch, the intensity required to succeed, and why telling well-researched cybercrime stories keeps him motivated. Resources: ⁠View Jack Rhysider on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn⁠ Related Microsoft Podcasts: ⁠Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast⁠ ⁠The BlueHat Podcast⁠ ⁠Uncovering Hidden Risks⁠ Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at⁠ microsoft.com/podcasts⁠ Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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    32 mins
  • Machine-Scale Defense and the Future of Cybersecurity

    Machine-Scale Defense and the Future of Cybersecurity
    Jul 1 2025
    Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. Jeetu shares insights on the urgent need for machine-scale defenses, the potential for defenders to finally tip the scale against attackers, and the importance of collaboration across the industry. They discuss the evolution of agentic AI, the challenges of innovation fragmentation, and why cybersecurity must become more accessible and effective to keep pace with modern threats. Resources: View Jeetu Patel On LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn Related Microsoft Podcasts: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast The BlueHat Podcast Uncovering Hidden Risks Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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    30 mins
  • The Human Firewall: People-First Cybersecurity

    The Human Firewall: People-First Cybersecurity
    Jun 17 2025
    Dr. Aleise McGowan, Chief Information Security Officer of BlackGirlsHack and a 20-year cybersecurity veteran, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Aleise shares how a career-defining hack early on shifted her trajectory from developer to defender, and why she believes the future of security lies in resilience, diversity, and human-centered leadership. She talks about what separates good and great leaders during the first hours of an incident response and why delayed action equals exponential damage. She also spotlights her work with BlackGirlsHack, a rapidly growing nonprofit that opens doors for underrepresented talent in cyber, and makes the case that building an inclusive security workforce isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Resources: View Aleise McGowan on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn Related Microsoft Podcasts: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast The BlueHat Podcast Uncovering Hidden Risks Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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    33 mins