Converge Lab: Navigating Cyber & AI

Ever wondered why compliance isn’t enough in today’s cybersecurity landscape?

In this episode of Converge Lab, Jon Waldman welcomes Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, Chancellor of Dakota State University, who shares lessons from database security to quantum computing.

They tackle cyber risk, the dangers of boardroom complacency, and why building a security-first culture requires both technology and humanity. Discover how executive mindsets on cyber-maturity are evolving, which new threats keep leaders up at night, and the advanced defensive technologies that are turning the tide—from self-healing systems and multifactor authentication to the reality of AI-powered attacks.

Dr. Griffiths also draws on decades of experience at the intersection of government, academia, and enterprise, sharing actionable insights on training, reporting culture, and why the next quantum leap is closer than you think.

Don’t miss this conversation packed with real-world takeaways for business leaders facing the future of cyber and AI risk. Tune in now.

==== Timestamps ====

00:00 – Introduction

00:19 – Meet Dr. José-Marie Griffiths

03:39 – Database Security and Metadata

05:39 –Compliance, Tools, and Executive Blindspots

07:11 – Ransomware, Quiet Attacks, and Liability

09:09 – Mindset Shifts, MFA, Threat Hunting, and Self-Healing Tech

13:10 – Building Security Culture

16:58 – Signs of a Healthy Security Culture

19:33 – The Next Five Years: AI, Quantum, and Ambient Technologies

23:49 – What AI Might Solve

26:04 – Quantum Computing

29:00 – Humanity in a Hyper-Connected World

31:36 – Dr. Griffiths’ Legacy and Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline

How do you spot a scam before it’s too late?

From rural beginnings to leading the charge in cybersecurity education and AI risk advocacy, Reanna Schultz joins Jon Waldman for a lively, revealing episode of Converge Lab: Navigating Cyber and AI.

Hear Reanna Schultz’s unfiltered journey from tech “side quests” to national cybersecurity advocate. Discover why real-world cyber threats are often closer and more personal than you think, from $1,000 gift card scams hitting family members to kid-targeted data exploitation hiding in “innocent” apps.

Learn today’s biggest AI risks, from data poisoning and hallucinations to the new frameworks and practical steps actually making a difference in defending organizations and families.

Don’t miss this episode that blends personal stories, actionable insights, and the latest on AI threats. Tune in now to win against scams, risks, and what’s next.

==== Timestamps ====

00:00 - Introduction: Cybersecurity and leadership

01:12 - About Reanna Schultz

03:39 - Early career struggles and college side quests

07:35 - First taste of programming and pivot to cybersecurity

08:40 - Discovering cybersecurity through accidental opportunity

13:27 - Lessons from scams

18:39 - Exploitation in kids’ tech and advocacy for data protection

24:51 - AI risks in the real world

30:43 - MITRE ATLAS and new frameworks for AI threat detection

36:05 - What excites and worries cyber pros about AI

37:41 - Final thoughts

When cybersecurity is about more than just tech, organizations thrive.

With evolving threats and advancing AI, the real edge in cyber risk management is human: building strong security cultures, sharing knowledge, and empowering every team member to step up.

In this episode of Converge Lab: Navigating Cyber and AI, Jon Waldman welcomes Katie Shuck, Cyber Intelligence Analyst for the State of South Dakota’s Fusion Center and longtime advocate for cybersecurity as public safety.

Travel with Katie Shuck from dial-up days to her leadership at the forefront of cyber defense, where people make or break your organization’s safety. Learn why information sharing is a turning point, discover what’s keeping leaders up at night, and hear actionable strategies for embedding a resilient cyber culture across your teams. Katie Shuck digs into the opportunities and pain points of advancing tech and why, in a hyperconnected world, security isn’t someone else’s job.

Ready to rethink your cybersecurity playbook? Tune in now for modern strategies you can actually use.

==== Timestamps ====

00:00 - Introduction

02:13 - Katie Shuck’s cyber journey and role in public safety

03:31 - How did you get started in cybersecurity?

06:42 - Why cybersecurity is now a public safety issue

08:33 - How has your thinking about cybersecurity evolved?

12:00 - Speed vs. security—risks of rapid tech adoption

14:14 - The power of information sharing

17:32 - What does it take to build a strong security culture?

19:19 - Humans as cyber assets, not weak links

20:30 - Security culture and information sharing

23:45 - Where is technology headed in the next five years?

28:32 - What excites you about AI’s future in security?

29:18 - AI governance and deepfake response

32:57 - Final thoughts and takeaways

When trust and technology evolve together, banking leaders win.

Accelerating digital change, relentless threats, and the need to keep customers’ trust, community bank tech leaders face more pressure than ever. In this episode of Converge Lab: Navigating Cyber & AI, Jon Waldman welcomes Chris Kreul, CTO at First Bank and Trust, for an unfiltered look at what’s working and what’s failing in modern cybersecurity strategy.

Hear how Chris Kreul went from reimaging call center computers during the ILOVEYOU virus days to leading an award-winning tech team. Uncover the real value of elevating cyber programs beyond box-checking, why empathy and communication are central to a security-first culture, and how AI is unlocking operational and security wins banks couldn’t even dream of five years ago.

Tune in to get inspired, rethink your approach, and drive your cybersecurity maturity forward.

==== Timestamps ====

00:03 Introduction

02:12 Chris Kreul’s cybersecurity origin story

04:34 Early lessons from ILOVEYOU and Code Red viruses

06:27 How cybersecurity thinking has evolved

08:18 Challenges in current cybersecurity approaches

10:13 Dangers of “check-the-box” security

13:22 Opportunities and what's working in security maturity

15:23 Building a strong cybersecurity culture

17:19 Empathy and human factors in security incidents

18:43 Evolution of banking technology and threat landscape

19:43 Predictions for technology and cybersecurity in the next five years

21:56 AI’s role in unlocking value and secure automation

22:44 Real-world AI use cases reducing vulnerabilities

28:04 Measuring AI’s ROI and operational impact

30:28 Lessons learned and the importance of continual learning

33:14 Episode wrap-up

Technology is transforming banking at an unprecedented pace, creating new opportunities while introducing new challenges for financial institutions. As AI, real-time payments, and digital innovation continue to reshape the industry, leaders must balance progress with the trust, security, and stability their customers expect.

In this episode of Converge Lab: Navigating Cyber & AI, Jon Waldman sits down with DJ Seeterlin, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at Chesapeake Bank, to talk about the changing role of cybersecurity in financial services and what it takes to build a culture where innovation and security work together. The conversation also looks at building a lasting security culture, preparing for the next wave of technology, and the opportunities AI presents for the future of banking.

Tune in to hear how innovation, cybersecurity, and strategic leadership are shaping the future of banking.

In this inaugural episode of Converge Lab: Navigating Cyber & AI, host Jon Waldman welcomes Chad Knutson, CEO of SBS CyberSecurity and his business partner. They explore the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the impact of AI on risk management and decision-making. Jon and Chad discuss how organizations can cultivate a robust cybersecurity culture, emphasizing that security is no longer just a technical issue but a crucial leadership and business resilience concern. Listeners will gain insights into building effective cybersecurity frameworks and understanding the importance of proactive measures in a rapidly changing environment. Tune in to discover how to navigate the complexities of cyber risks and leverage AI for strategic advantage.