Distilling Cyber Policy

Hosted by CCPL

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Latest episode

Apr 2026

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About the show

Distilling Cyber Policy is the podcast for those that want to follow and understand global public policy events and developments related to cybersecurity. We separate the facts from the hype, and boil out the wonky jargon so you can keep up with the latest developments impacting the future of security.

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25 recent

April 21, 2026Episode 144 min

Digital Sovereignty, CSA 2.0, and PQC with MEP Bart Groothuis

In the latest Distilling Cyber Policy podcast, Alex Botting and Jen Ellis from the Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law are joined by Bart Groothuis, Member of the European Parliament and a leading voice on EU cybersecurity policy. This episode features an in-depth discussion on AI security, cyber policy, and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, featuring experts from the EU and industry leaders. Topics include Project Glasswing, EU cybersecurity legislation, quantum computing, and the dark economy of hacking.Interview:European Cybersecurity Act 2.0News:Anthropic’s Mythos UK Tracking Russian Submarines over its Subsea CablesCommunity Corner:US version: "Dark Screens: Hackers and Heroes in the Shadowy World of Ransomware"(release date 28 April)UK version: "We Know You Can Pay A Million: Inside the Dark Economy of Hacking and Ransomware" (release date 2nd April)

January 12, 2026Episode 1231 min

Special Episode: A Look Ahead to Cyber Policy in 2026

In this year-end episode of Distilling Cyber Policy, hosts Alex Botting and Jen Ellis are joined by three CCPL experts to try and predict the future of cyber policy in the coming year, while reflecting on some of their predictions from last year. Our experts include Caitlin Clarke, Jeremy Grant, and Heather West as well as thoughts from prior guests such as MEP Bart Groothius, Ifran Hemani, and Katharina Sommers.

December 19, 2025Episode 1139 min

Offensive Cyber Policy with Leonard Bailey and Stacy O'Mara

In the latest Distilling Cyber Policy podcast, Alex Botting and Jen Ellis from the Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law are joined by guests, Stacy O’Mara, Senior Director of Venable and Leonard Bailey, former Head of the Cybersecurity Unit in the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Special Counsel for National Security in the DOJ’s Criminal Division.From shifting global norms to the rising pressure for stronger deterrence, our guests break down why offensive capabilities are back in the spotlight and what it means for national security. They dig into the debate over whether these operations should remain strictly government-run or if there’s ever a world where the private sector plays a significant role. They also break down the risks, the misconceptions, and the practical challenges that keep the “hack back” debate alive, including concerns about misattribution, escalation, and potential interference with intelligence or law enforcement operations.Interview:Pall Mall Process Industry Code of Practice (due Dec. 22)Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)News:India Orders Smartphones Makers to Preload State-Owned Cyber Safety AppCISA, Australia, and Part and Partners Author Joint Guidance on Securely Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Operational TechnologyCommunity Corner:Carveout for Security Research in Portugal's NIS2

December 10, 2024Episode 1139 min

Special Episode: A Look Ahead to Cyber Policy in 2025

For our last Distilling Cyber Policy podcast episode of 2024, Alex Botting and Jen Ellis from the Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law are joined by four CCPL experts to try and predict the future of cyber policy in the coming year, while reflecting on some of their predictions from last year. Our experts include Ari Schwartz, Jeremy Grant, Heather West, and Harley Geiger, as well as thoughts from prior guests such as Ambassador Brendan Dowling and Shehzad Charania. Instead of the news segment this week, Jen and Alex share details on the upcoming CyberNext DC conference, co-hosted by CCPL and the Cyber Threat Alliance, which is taking place this Dec. 12. You can register for virtual attendance here.

November 26, 2024Episode 1040 min

The US Data Security EO with Lee Licata and Grant Dasher (Part 2)

In the latest Distilling Cyber Policy podcast, Alex Botting and Jen Ellis from the Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law are re-joined by guests from earlier this season: Lee Licata, Deputy Section Chief for National Security Data Risk at the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Grant Dasher, the Acting Technical Deputy Director for Cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA).Both came on to discuss the then-recently released Executive Order 14117 and the associated Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM). Since then, the DOJ issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), with written comments from the public due by November 29, 2024. Additionally, as directed by the EO, CISA has developed proposed security requirements to apply to classes of restricted transactions identified in the NPRM. In the episode, Lee and Grant dig into the proposed rule and security requirements, as well as the next steps in the rule making process.Interview:Executive Order 14117DOJ Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)CISA Proposed Security Requirements News: Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act (Senate); Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act (House) Pall Mall Process MeetingIST's 2nd Annual Cyber Policy Awards, open for submissions through December 6thCommunity Corner:Citizen Lab Report - Rivers of Phish, Sophisticated Phishing Targets Russia’s Perceived Enemies Around the Globe

November 11, 2024Episode 937 min

The US Navy's Cyber Strategy with Anne Marie Schumann

In our latest Distilling Cyber Policy podcast episode, Alex Botting and Jen Ellis from the Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law are joined by Anne Marie Schumann, the Department of the Navy’s Principal Cyber Advisor. In this role, she is responsible for advising the Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations, and Commandant of the Marine Corps on all cyber matters. In the discussion, Anne Marie shares context on the Navy’s first-ever Department Cyber Strategy, which was released in November 2023. News:CISA's Call for Comment on Cyber Incident Reporting FormCommunity Corner:Paris Peace SummitAs always, if you would like to submit something for the Community Corner segment, or have topic ideas for upcoming episodes, please email iaj01@venable.com.

October 28, 2024Episode 845 min

The Counter Ransomware Initiative with Hamish Hansford

In our latest Distilling Cyber Policy podcast episode, Alex Botting and Jen Ellis from the Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law are joined by Hamish Hansford, the Deputy Secretary of Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group at the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The discussion begins with the fourth annual convening of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI), as well as several other cyber priorities for Australia.News:The Pall Mall Process The official adoption of the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)The publication of the EU’s Network and Information Security Directive (NIS 2) Implementing ActGhana’s New National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy Community Corner:“Software Supply Chain Security: Securing the End-to-End Supply Chain for Software, Firmware, and Hardware” by Cassie Crossely As always, if you would like to join us for the community corner segment, or have topic ideas for upcoming episodes, please email iaj01@venable.com.

August 14, 2024Episode 744 min

Costa Rican Cybersecurity Policy with Minister Paula Bogantes

In our latest Distilling Cyber Policy podcast episode, Alex Botting and Jen Ellis from the Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law are joined by Paula Bogantes, the Costa Rican Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications.News:Senate Confirms Michael Sulmeyer as DoD Cyber Policy ChiefDoD Establishes the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber PolicyChile’s Public Consultation on Cybersecurity Framework Law RegulationsChile’s New Cybersecurity Framework LawEU Product Liability DirectiveInterview:Costa Rica's 2023-2027 Cybersecurity Strategy United States Announces $25M to Strengthen Costa Rica’s CybersecurityDigiAmericas LATAM CISO Summit

July 23, 2024Episode 643 min

The NDAA and Cybersecurity with Grant Schneider

In our latest Distilling Cyber Policy podcast episode, Alex Botting and Jen Ellis from the Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law are joined by Grant Schneider, Senior Director of Cybersecurity Services at Venable LLP. Grant’s discussion with Alex and Jen delves into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and its implications for cybersecurity policy. News:Chevron Pattern Disrupted: The Impact on Cybersecurity RegulationsPolish Parliament Investigation Into Spyware ProgressesPall Mall ProcessEuropean Commission Consultation on NIS2 Implementing Regulation Interview:National Defense Authorization Act Assessing an Independent Cyber ForceFISMA Amendment Community CornerPolicy @ DEF CON programming

June 27, 2024Episode 553 min

EU Cyber Policy with Despina Spanou

In our latest Distilling Cyber Policy podcast episode, Alex Botting and Jen Ellis from the Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law are joined by Despina Spanou, the Head of the Cabinet of the Vice-President of the European Commission. The discussion begins with the recent history and intentions of EU technology policy making, the EU’s legislative process, and the development of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). The conversation concludes with a look towards international cooperation on cybersecurity, including the recent announcement of the US-EU Joint Cybersafe Products Action Plan and the outcomes of the latest U.S-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting. News:ONCD Releases its Summary of the 2023 Cybersecurity Regulatory Harmonization RFIWhite House highlights voluntary commitments from Google, Microsoft to provide cyber services for health sectorInterview:Digital Covid CertificateNIS DirectiveCRAU.S.-EU Sign Joint Cybersafe Products Action PlanU.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council MeetingCommunity Corner:ICS VillageHack the Capitol