Rethinking Cyber

How is diplomacy evolving as Cyberspace becomes central to national defense and global security? José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission (2004-2014) and Prime Minister of Portugal (2002-2004), shares his perspective on how cyber capabilities are reshaping geopolitics and international relations.

Drawing on decades of experience at the highest levels of global governance, he explores the growing asymmetry between nations’ cyber capabilities, the integration of cybersecurity into defense and diplomatic strategy, and how developing nations can strengthen their competitiveness and influence in an increasingly interconnected world.

From cyber diplomacy and public-private cooperation to the idea of cybersecurity as a global public good, Barroso reflects on why cooperation remains essential in an evolving geopolitical landscape, and underscores the importance of coordinated action between governments, industry, and civil society to address shared cyber risks.

Brought to you by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), the Rethinking Cyber podcast shares the insights from decision makers and experts on the opportunities and challenges shaping Cyberspace.

How can nations strengthen their collective cyber resilience at a time of increased geopolitical competition and an evolving threat landscape? Her Excellency Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, President of Croatia (2015-2020), reflects on lessons from diplomacy and conflict resolution to find shared priorities for a more secure Cyberspace.

Drawing on her experience as Croatia’s first woman president during a period of rapid cyber transformation, Grabar-Kitarović argues that cybersecurity has evolved beyond a technical issue into a core pillar of national security and international stability. She also highlights the importance of building trust to enhance threat prevention, knowledge sharing, and cross-border cooperation, defining these as essential components of a more cyber resilient world.

Brought to you by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), the Rethinking Cyber podcast shares the latest insights from decision-makers and experts on the opportunities and challenges shaping Cyberspace.

How are global law enforcement tactics adapting to the fast-evolving nature of cybercrime? Dr. Jürgen Stock, Secretary General of INTERPOL (2014-2024), offers an inside perspective on the biggest challenges to foster a more rapid global response to cybercrime.

Drawing on more than a decade at the helm of international law enforcement, he shares insights into the growing sophistication of tech-driven cybercrime, the major cyber capacity disparities between nations, and the pressing need for deeper intelligence sharing across borders.

From fragmentation in response systems to the rise of “cybercrime as a service,” Dr. Stock explores why collaboration, coordination, and communication are indispensable to global cybersecurity – particularly as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing are reshaping the threat landscapes.

How can societies better protect children in a world where cyber risks are both borderless and rapidly evolving? Sheema Sen Gupta, Director of Child Protection and Migration at UNICEF, joins the Rethinking Cyber podcast to examine the complex threats children face in Cyberspace and how nations and organizations can cooperate to keep them safe.

Drawing on more than 25 years’ experience at UNICEF advocating for child rights in complex humanitarian contexts, Sen Gupta highlights critical gaps in awareness, reporting, and platform design, explaining why parents, educators, governments, and tech companies all have a stake in strengthening child online protection.

She also points to actionable solutions like cyber skills training, safety-by-design in tech, and cross-border cooperation on reporting mechanisms and helplines, making the case for a whole-of-society approach that puts children at the center of cybersecurity decision-making.

Brought to you by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), the Rethinking Cyber podcast shares insights from global leaders and experts on the opportunities and challenges shaping Cyberspace.

How can nations maintain cyber resilience when technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing are evolving faster than regulation? Robert Hannigan, Director of GCHQ (2014-2017) - the UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency - looks at what lessons can be learned from the decades before AI to build long-term security.

Drawing on his experience in policy development, Hannigan poses that the nature of Cyberspace requires governments and the private sector to join efforts to secure infrastructure and economies. He also highlights the need to ensure that technology itself is designed securely, while building resilience into physical and cyber infrastructure. As agentic AI accelerates in sophistication, Hannigan makes the case for keeping human judgment, ethics, and oversight at the center of cybersecurity strategies.

Brought to you by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), the Rethinking Cyber podcast shares the latest insights from decision-makers and experts on the opportunities and challenges shaping Cyberspace.

How can global industries keep their critical systems operating safely and avoid costly, disruptive downtime as cyber risks evolve?

Andrew Kling, Director of Cybersecurity and Architecture at Schneider Electric, examines the evolving complexities shaping industrial cybersecurity as operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) converge – from regulatory compliance and evolving cybersecurity standards to risk management, threat awareness, and preparedness.

Drawing on decades of experience across multiple industries and in international standards development, Kling explores how secure-by-design - a “shift-left” approach that embeds cybersecurity at an early stage and anticipates threats - can build resilience into the industrial control systems (ICS) powering our critical infrastructure. Looking to the future, he also speaks of the important role of multistakeholder collaboration as cyber threats and technologies evolve.

Brought to you by GCF’s Operational Technology Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (OTC-CoE), the OT Cyber Brief podcast shares insights from industry leaders and experts on global priorities in OT cybersecurity.

How can healthcare systems embrace groundbreaking technologies that improve patient care, without compromising the critical infrastructure and patient data that they rely on? Richard Staynings, Chief Security Strategist at Cylera, joins us to explore the evolving risks that accompany the use of advanced technologies in medical environments.

From AI-driven precision medicine to the rapid proliferation of interconnected medical devices, Staynings looks at how reliance on Cyberspace is reshaping healthcare delivery and the factors that have made the sector a prime target for cyberattacks. He underscores the urgency of addressing security gaps, given the disruptive and life-threatening impact of ransomware attacks. As innovation is adopted, he emphasizes the need to strike a balance against risks and build in adequate cybersecurity controls.

Brought to you by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), the Rethinking Cyber podcast is here to share insights from decision makers and experts on the opportunities and challenges shaping Cyberspace.

What is the interrelation between Cyberspace and globalization? With over 30 years of experience in international relations and multilateral cooperation, Pascal Lamy, VP of the Paris Peace Forum and former Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by globalization in a borderless, interconnected world.

In this episode, Lamy discusses how the parameters of international diplomacy, global trade, and economic growth are evolving in Cyberspace. Exploring the complexities around data flows, he shares insights on how decision makers can navigate data governance and leverage the potential of emerging technologies for global security and prosperity. He also reflects on how “polylateralism” can re-frame international collaboration on pressing issues in cybersecurity to be more inclusive, purpose-led and impact-oriented.

Brought to you by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), the Rethinking Cyber podcast is here to share insights from decision makers and experts on the opportunities and challenges shaping Cyberspace.

What role does cybersecurity play in shaping the future of healthcare?

Dr. Junaid Nabi, a Senior Researcher at Harvard Business School, dives into the nexus between cybersecurity, patient safety, and trust in the new era of interconnected healthcare.

Focusing on the uniquely sensitive nature of healthcare data, Dr. Nabi considers the challenges of maintaining public trust amid rising cyber threats. An expert in digital health transformation, he highlights the potential of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to improve data processing while advocating for ethical frameworks that address healthcare inequities. Drawing from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Nabi underscores the importance of cross-border data sharing for enabling coordinated global responses to future crises.

Brought to you by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), the Rethinking Cyber podcast is here to share insights from thought leaders and industry experts for straightforward and thought-provoking conversations on the opportunities and challenges shaping Cyberspace.

How can we balance public safety and trust in an open, borderless Cyberspace?

Professor William H. Dutton, Oxford Martin Fellow at the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre (GCSCC), explores the challenge of balancing safety and trust in Cyberspace. Drawing on his experience in broadcast regulation, he warns against over-regulation of the internet and potential harms to privacy and freedom.

Author of The Fifth Estate: The Power Shift of the Digital Age, Professor Dutton argues that bringing cybersecurity experts and broadcast regulators together can deliver many of the solutions needed to protect adults and children when it comes to inappropriate and harmful content. He explores the behavioral dimension of cyber safety and how we can look beyond law and policy to regulate behavior, such as developing shared principles. He underscores the importance of striking a balance between protecting the public and preserving their confidence in Cyberspace as a space to access vital information.

Brought to you by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), the Rethinking Cyber podcast is here to share insights from thought leaders and industry experts for straightforward and thought-provoking conversations on the opportunities and challenges shaping Cyberspace.