In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Harry Krejsa, Director of Studies at Carnegie Mellon University's Institute for Strategy and Technology. Krejsa, a former Pentagon and White House cyber strategist, discusses his latest report, Sunshield, which highlights the intersection of cybersecurity, U.S.-China competition, and grid security. The conversation explores how China's cyber operations exploit technical debt in U.S. critical infrastructure, the cybersecurity risks and opportunities in the energy transition, and how the rapid buildout of AI-driven power demand presents both new challenges and unique opportunities. Krejsa outlines strategic actions the U.S. must take to secure its energy future and broader critical infrastructure against Chinese cyber threats.

Main Topics Covered

• China's cyber threat to U.S. critical infrastructure, including Volt Typhoon's activities
• The risks of integrating old and new technology in the energy sector
• How the energy transition presents a unique chance to embed cybersecurity from the start
• The role of AI data centers in reshaping U.S. energy infrastructure and security
• Key policy actions needed to reduce U.S. dependency on Chinese-dominated supply chains
• Lessons from the financial sector in managing systemic cybersecurity risks

Key Quotes

"The People's Republic of China, we now know, are working to place disruptive and destructive cyber capabilities on various kinds of American infrastructure... to stymie our ability to mobilize a military response to a crisis... [and] induced societal panic." — Harry Krejsa

"No critical infrastructure sector in the country has the amount of capital necessary to undergo that [security] transformation, except for one... the electricity sector." — Harry Krejsa

“I think we need to put modern energy at the center of our competition with China.” — Harry Krejsa

“We need to get the glowering national security hawks like myself, and the affirmative vision granola crunching energy communities sitting down and talking to each other.” — Harry Krejsa

"The IT-OT convergence has been a theme we come back to over and over because it is very real. Yet if you look at our defenders, we still don't look at it through the same lens.” — Frank Cilluffo

Relevant Links

SUN SHIELD: How Clean Tech & America's Energy Expansion Can Stop Chinese Cyber Threats

Guest Bio

Harry Krejsa is the Director of Studies at Carnegie Mellon University's Institute for Strategy and Technology. A former White House and Pentagon cyber strategist, he played a key role in shaping the National Cyber Strategy and served on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. His expertise spans China's cyber operations, critical infrastructure security, and the intersection of emerging technology with national defense.