S9 Ep35: Eric O’Neill on Cybersecurity and Catching One of America’s Most Infamous Spies

Former FBI counterintelligence specialist Eric O’Neill joins Chris to recount his mission to help capture one of the most damaging spies in American history: Robert Hanssen. They discuss Hanssen’s transformation from a wannabe Bond into a real-life cyber mole, his staggering betrayal of US intelligence, and how O’Neill built trust with a man he knew he had to take down. Eric also shares how the Hanssen case shaped his transition into cybersecurity, explores the rise of cybercrime as a $12 trillion black-market economy, and explains why AI deepfakes, ransomware, and social engineering attacks pose growing threats to national security and everyday life.Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs.Please share this episode using these linksYouTube: https://youtu.be/vmViAP6jitsPodfollow: https://pod.fo/e/2bfdc5Find more about Eric on his website: https://ericoneill.netSupport Secrets and SpiesBecome a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our Redbubble shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.comConnect with us on social mediaBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspiesFacebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspiesSpoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesFollow Chris and Matt on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/fultonmatt.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.socialSecrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.Music by Andrew R. BirdSecrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.