In this episode of Modern Cyber, Jeremy sits down with Ann Dunkin, former CIO of the U.S. Department of Energy, to discuss the critical infrastructure that powers our digital lives. As data centers and AI drive unprecedented demand on the energy grid,

Ann explains why "aging infrastructure" isn't always the biggest cyber risk, how the U.S. grid is actually structured (including the isolation of Texas), and why security leaders must move from "check-the-box" compliance to active risk management.

Key Episode Highlights:

• The AI Power Surge: For decades, grid demand was flat; now, AI and data centers are driving a massive growth in load that the aging infrastructure was never designed to handle.
• The "Air Gap" Myth: While older nuclear plants are safely analog, modern grid vulnerabilities live in the "two-way" traffic of IoT devices and smart meters that were never meant to be internet-connected.
• Nation-State Threats: The primary concern for grid security is a nation-state actor gaining a foothold to cause long-term, physically destructive disruptions as a prelude to kinetic war.
• Compliance vs. Risk: Ann shares her experience in the Biden-Harris administration, emphasizing that "table stakes" compliance isn't enough—leaders must use risk registers and tabletop exercises to educate boards on true threats.

About Ann

Ann Dunkin is an External Fellow and Distinguished Professor of the Practice at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is also the CEO of Dunkin Global Advisors, providing strategic business advice to companies of all sizes as well as fractional CIO services. She serves as an independent director on the governing board of Global Interconnection group and the advisory boards for Bowtie Security, Openpolicy and CGAI.

Episode Links

• Ann Dunkin at Georgia Tech: https://research.gatech.edu/people/ann-dunkin
• Ann Dunkin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anndunkin/