Countering Ransomware, CISA 2015, and Active Cyber Defense with Cynthia Kaiser

Overview Cybersecurity threats are growing more complex as ransomware gangs, nation-states, and criminal networks converge. In this episode, Frank Cilluffo speaks with Cynthia Kaiser, senior vice president at Halcyon and former deputy assistant director for cyber at the FBI. They discuss the looming risk if Congress fails to reauthorize the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, the evolution of ransomware as both a business model and geopolitical weapon, and how industry must play a bigger role in active defense. Kaiser also explains the indiscriminate reach of Chinese espionage campaigns and the urgent need to define national red lines in cyberspace. Together, they outline why collaboration, innovation, and trust are essential to future cyber resilience. Main Topics Covered Halcyon Ransomware Research Center launch FBI lessons from major takedowns Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act stakes Ransomware and nation-state espionage Active defense and industry roles Balancing disclosure and attribution FBI of tomorrow and AI Red lines in cyberspace Key Quotes "If CISA 2015 lapses, companies may be less inclined or may be less able to share information with the government… And then America would be in the dark." – Cynthia Kaiser (~07:37) "There's not one action that's going to stop Putin from cybering… And industry has such a critical role." – Cynthia Kaiser (~11:04) "As a mom… the Chinese government now has information about who [kids] called, where they were, how long the call was… It really shows that the Chinese government is indiscriminate." – Cynthia Kaiser (~22:45) "[Ransomware is] an ecosystem of businesses… And so broadening and being able to conduct more of these proactive active defense operations against criminal groups would have a really great effect." – Cynthia Kaiser (~16:02) "[Washington] should really just be asking 'What are our red lines today, and have we already gone over them?'" – Cynthia Kaiser (~32:16) Relevant Links and Resources Halcyon Ransomware Research Center Fortune op-ed: Cynthia Kaiser on CISA 2015 reauthorization Recent Salt Typhoon joint advisory Guest Bio Cynthia Kaiser is the Senior Vice President of Halcyon's Ransomware Research Center and former Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI's Cyber Division. She led cyber policy, intelligence, and engagement efforts at the Bureau and played a key role in disrupting major ransomware groups like LockBit and Qakbot.