In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by security researcher Crane Hassold and Digital Defense Report lead Chloe Mesdaghi for a grounded, practitioner-led discussion on where artificial intelligence actually stands today. Moving beyond hype and fear-driven narratives, the conversation examines how AI is realistically being used by threat actors, where its impact is often overstated, and why defenders currently stand to gain the most from AI-driven tooling.  

The episode explores AI’s strengths in detection, triage, and workflow acceleration, the psychology and incentives that shape attacker behavior, and emerging risks such as prompt injection and AI systems becoming direct attack targets. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

Where AI is genuinely being used in real-world cyber operations 

Why AI systems themselves are becoming attractive targets for attackers 

How AI is accelerating defensive workflows like detection engineering and threat triage 

 Some questions we ask:     

What does AI do well right now, and where has it been overpromised? 

Does AI shift the balance of power toward defenders or attackers? 

Why are prompt injection and agent manipulation such serious concerns? 

Resources:  

View Chloé Messdaghi on LinkedIn  

View Crane Hassold on LinkedIn  

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 

The BlueHat Podcast 

Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft, Hangar Studios and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

To kick off Season 3 of Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Microsoft security researchers Anna Seitz and Jonathan Checchi.  

Our guests examine two developments shaping today’s threat landscape: the cloud-native evolution of ransomware group Storm-0501 and the SesameOp backdoor’s abuse of trusted AI platforms for stealthy command-and-control. The discussion highlights how identity, hybrid-cloud pivot points, and federated authentication enable high-impact attacks without traditional malware, and why policy-compliant platform abuse is becoming harder to detect.  

Sherrod, Anna, and Jonathan provide guidance for defenders around enforcing MFA, tightening conditional access and identity controls, monitoring across cloud and on-prem environments, and partnering with platform providers to disrupt emerging attacker tradecraft. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

What happens when threat actors gain control of highly privileged identities 

Why monitoring identity behavior is as critical as monitoring endpoints 

How attacker tactics are adapting to environments that blend cloud and on-prem systems 

 Some questions we ask:     

What does recent threat activity tell us about where the landscape is headed? 

How is Storm-0501 using federated authentication in their operations? 

What should security teams focus on as AI becomes more integrated into systems? 

Resources:  

View Anna Seitz on LinkedIn  

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

 Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 

The BlueHat Podcast 

Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft, Hangar Studios and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by security researchers Geoff McDonald and JBO to discuss Whisper Leak, new research showing that encrypted AI traffic can still unintentionally reveal what a user is asking about through patterns in packet size and timing.  

They explain how LLM token streaming enables this kind of side-channel attack, why even well-encrypted conversations can be classified for sensitive topics, and what this means for privacy, national-level surveillance risks, and secure product design. The conversation also walks through how the study was conducted, what patterns emerged across different AI models, and the steps developers should take to mitigate these risks. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

Why packet sizes and timing patterns reveal more information than most users realize 

How user-experience choices like showing streamed text create a larger attack surface 

The difference between classic timing attacks and the new risks uncovered in Whisper Leak 

Resources:  

View JBO on LinkedIn 

View Geoff McDonald on LinkedIn   

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

 Learn more about Whisper Leak 

 Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 

The BlueHat Podcast 

Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft, Hangar Studios and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Matt Duncan, Vice President of Security Operations and Intelligence at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s E-ISAC, to explore the cyber threats targeting the North American power grid. Matt breaks down why the grid remains resilient despite increasing pressure from nation-states, cybercriminals, and hacktivists, how AI is lowering the barrier of entry for attackers, and why OT systems and interconnected devices present unique risks.  

He also highlights real success stories, the value of large-scale grid exercises, and how strong collaboration and a focus on foundational security practices help defenders keep power flowing safely and reliably. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

How severe weather events trigger heightened cyber-readiness across utilities 

What motivates hacktivist groups and how their tactics differ from other threat actors 

Why outdated equipment and legacy systems remain such attractive targets 

Some questions we ask:     

Are you seeing more educated and capable OT-focused adversaries now? 

How do you work with policymakers to help them understand these threats? 

If you could eliminate one misconception about securing the grid, what would it be? 

Resources:  

View Matt Duncan on LinkedIn  

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

Learn more about E-ISAC 

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 

The BlueHat Podcast 

Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft, Hangar Studios and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by security researchers Tori Murphy and Anna Seitz to unpack two financially motivated cyber threats. First, they explore the Payroll Pirates campaign (Storm 2657), which targets university payroll systems through phishing and MFA theft to reroute direct deposits. Then, they examine Vanilla Tempest, a ransomware group abusing fraudulent Microsoft Teams installers and SEO poisoning to deliver the Oyster Backdoor and Recita ransomware.  

Together, they discuss how attackers exploit trust in identity, code signing, and SaaS platforms and share practical steps organizations can take to strengthen defenses, from phishing-resistant MFA to stricter executable controls and out-of-band banking verification. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

How Payroll Pirates diverted university salaries through SaaS HR phishing schemes 

Why universities are prime targets for identity-based cyberattacks 

How Vanilla Tempest evolved from basic ransomware to complex multi-stage attacks 

Some questions we ask:     

How are attackers stealing credentials and paychecks? 

Why do attackers create inbox rules after compromising accounts? 

What alerts should organizations monitor for these types of attacks? 

Resources:  

View Tori Murphy on LinkedIn  

View Anna Seitz on LinkedIn 

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

Investigating targeted “payroll pirate” attacks affecting US universities 

Microsoft Threat Intelligence healthcare ransomware report highlights need for collective industry action 

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 

The BlueHat Podcast 

Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Zack Korman, CTO of cybersecurity startup Pistachio. They explore the reality of AI in security, cutting through hype to discuss where AI is both brilliant and flawed, how vendors AI-wash outdated tech, and why Zack believes AI won’t replace jobs but instead scale human creativity. They also dive into phishing simulations, human psychology behind social engineering, AI-powered attacks, jailbreak chaining between AI systems, and the future risks and opportunities AI introduces in cybersecurity.  

In this episode you’ll learn:      

How to evaluate whether a vendor is truly using AI in their product 

The psychology behind why people fall for phishing attacks 

Why human judgment will remain essential in the era of AI-driven security. 

Some questions we ask:     

How can AI unlock new capabilities in cybersecurity? 

What questions should people ask AI security vendors? 

Why do trained security professionals still fall for phishing attacks? 

Resources:  

View Zack Korman on LinkedIn  

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 

The BlueHat Podcast 

Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Chloé Messdaghi and Crane Hassold to unpack the key findings of the 2025 Microsoft Digital Defense Report; a comprehensive look at how the cyber threat landscape is accelerating through AI, automation, and industrialized criminal networks. 

They explore how nation-state operations and cybercrime have fused into a continuous cycle of attack and adaptation, with actors sharing tooling, infrastructure, and even business models. The conversation also examines AI’s growing impact, from deepfakes and influence operations to the defensive promise of AI-powered detection, and how identity compromise has become the front door to most intrusions, accounting for over 99% of observed attacks. 

Listeners will gain perspective on: 

How AI is shaping both attacker tradecraft and defensive response. 

Why identity remains the cornerstone of global cyber risk. 

What Microsoft’s telemetry—spanning 600 million daily attacks—reveals about emerging threats and evolving defender strategies. 

Questions explored: 

How are threat actors using AI to scale deception and influence operations? 

What does industrialized cybercrime mean for organizations trying to defend at scale? 

How can defenders harness AI responsibly without overreliance or exposure? 

Resources:  

Download the report and executive summary 

Register for Microsoft Ignite 

View Chloé Messdaghi on LinkedIn 

View Crane Hassold on LinkedIn 

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 

The BlueHat Podcast 

Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Tori Murphy, Anna Seitz, and Chuong Dong to break down two threats: the modular backdoor PipeMagic and Medusa ransomware. They discuss how PipeMagic disguises itself as a ChatGPT desktop app to deliver malware, its sophisticated modular design, and what defenders can do to detect it.  

The team also explores Medusa’s evolution into a ransomware-as-a-service model, its use of double extortion tactics, and the broader threat landscape shaped by ransomware groups, social engineering, and the abuse of legitimate tools.  

In this episode you’ll learn:      

Why modular malware is harder to detect and defend against 

How attackers abuse vulnerable drivers to disable security tools 

Why leak sites play a central role in ransomware operations 

Some questions we ask:     

How did Microsoft researchers uncover PipeMagic in the wild? 

Why do ransomware groups often borrow names and themes from mythology? 

What initial access techniques are commonly associated with Medusa attacks? 

Resources:  

View Anna Seitz on LinkedIn 

View Chuong Dong on LinkedIn   

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 

The BlueHat Podcast 

Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.  

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Kelly Bissell, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, to explore how domain impersonation and typosquatting are changing in the age of AI. 

They discuss how attackers are increasingly using AI and bots to scale online deception, why this tactic is so effective, and how Microsoft is countering cutting-edge defenses like Siamese neural networks to detect fraudulent domains in real time. Kelly shares insights on the massive scale of these threats, the shift toward defender advantage, and the broader implications for securing organizations worldwide. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

How attackers use AI and bots to scale domain impersonation and typosquatting 

Why defenders may finally have the higher ground in the fight against online fraud 

How Microsoft’s Siamese neural network model detects fraudulent domains in real time 

Some questions we ask:     

What excites you most about this new detection approach? 

How do fake domains fit into a larger social engineering chain? 

What indicators should defenders watch for in typosquatting domains? 

Resources:  

View Kelly Bissell on LinkedIn  

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 

The BlueHat Podcast 

Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Microsoft researchers Kelsey Clapp and Anna Seitz to examine two major cybercrime campaigns. The team unpacks Storm 2561’s use of SEO poisoning to distribute Trojanized software like SilentRoute and Bumblebee, stealing VPN credentials and paving the way for ransomware brokers. 

They also dive into Storm 1811’s ReadBed malware, a loader deployed through bold social engineering tactics, such as fake IT help desk calls via Teams, that enable lateral movement and ransomware deployment. The discussion highlights how modern threat actors exploit trust, extend attack chains, and continually evolve their techniques, underscoring the importance of vigilance, strong security controls, and verifying before trusting.

In this episode you’ll learn:     

How Storm 2561 uses SEO poisoning to trick users into downloading Trojanized software

The role of trust, urgency, and habit in social engineering tactics

Practical steps organizations can take to block these threats and strengthen defenses

Some questions we ask:    

Why are initial access loaders such a big risk for organizations?

How are threat actors using fake IT help desk calls to gain access?

What steps should defenders take to cut off these entry points?

Resources: 

View Anna Seitz on LinkedIn

View Kelsey Clapp on LinkedIn 

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn 

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson

The BlueHat Podcast

Uncovering Hidden Risks    

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts 

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.