In this episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio, Matt O’Neill interviews Chase Clowser, a former Secret Service agent who transitioned from Division I football to tactical operations and K-9 handling before specializing in complex cyber investigations, including ransomware and money laundering. The conversation delves into the challenges of cyber crime, the importance of collaboration across borders, and the role of AI in criminal activities. Chase emphasizes the need for continuous training and mentorship in the field, as well as the importance of data in investigations. He also provides valuable advice for small and mid-sized businesses on how to protect themselves from cyber threats. The episode concludes with insights on the transition from government work to the private sector and the skills that are transferable between the two.

Takeaways

Chase Clowser specialized in cyber investigations, focusing on ransomware and money laundering.

Collaboration across borders is crucial in law enforcement.

Data plays a significant role in successful investigations.

Continuous training and mentorship are essential in cyber investigations.

AI is being leveraged by criminals to enhance their operations.

Small to midsized businesses need to take cybersecurity seriously.

The mindset of 'it's not a matter of if, it's when’ is important for businesses.

Building a strong network is crucial for success in the private sector.

Selling oneself is a key skill in both law enforcement and private sector roles.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chase Clowser’s Background

02:52 Transitioning from Football to Law Enforcement

05:14 Becoming a Canine Handler

07:38 Diving into Cyber Investigations

10:20 The Role of Money Laundering in Cyber Crime

13:36 Challenges of Cross-Border Collaborations in Law Enforcement

17:01 Leveraging Data in Criminal Investigations

19:15 The Role of Analytics in Complex Cases

21:57 Training and Mentorship in Cyber Investigations

24:53 Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

30:16 The Evolving Threat Landscape

32:57 Cybersecurity for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

35:54 Transitioning from Public to Private Sector

About Our Founding Sponsor, Elastio 

This podcast is proudly presented by Elastio, the control point for cyber resiliency—because survival depends on clean recoveries. As our Founding Sponsor, Elastio continuously validates backups, bridging the gap between security tools and immutable storage. With AI-driven detection and zero-day recovery, Elastio ensures data is clean, uncompromised, and always recoverable. Learn more: www.elastio.com