Yonatan Zunger, Corporate Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for Artificial Intelligence at Microsoft joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. They dive into the evolving cybersecurity landscape shaped by generative and agentic AI, discussing both the opportunities and the risks. Yonatan shares insights on how organizations should think about AI as a junior employee - not infallible, but useful when paired with human oversight. They also explore the principles of safe AI development, how to balance innovation with governance, and why AI could finally enable persistent cybersecurity defense in a way never before possible.
Resources:
View Yonatan Zunger on LinkedIn
View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn
Related Microsoft Podcasts:
Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
The BlueHat Podcast
Uncovering Hidden Risks
Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts
Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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24:44
Hugh Thompson on Building the RSA Conference
Dr. Hugh Thompson, Executive Chairman of RSA Conference and Managing Partner at Crosspoint Capital joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. They discuss what goes into planning the world’s largest cybersecurity conference—from theme selection to llama-related surprises on the expo floor—and how the RSA community continues to evolve. Hugh also shares how his background in applied math led him from academia to cybersecurity, his thoughts on the human element in security, and what keeps him optimistic about the future of the industry.
Resources:
View Hugh Thompson on LinkedIn
View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn
Related Microsoft Podcasts:
Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
The BlueHat Podcast
Uncovering Hidden Risks
Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts
Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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37:34
Bringing the Cyber Tea to RSA 2025
On this special episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea, Ann brings listeners inside the 2025 RSA Conference to explore the intersection of AI, quantum computing and cyber resiliency with two visionary experts: Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Vinod Vaikuntanathan and Dr. Sasha O’Connell from The Aspen Institute. Vinod shares how quantum computing poses a serious threat to current encryption methods and explains the urgent need for post-quantum cryptography, while Sasha shares her non-technical path into cybersecurity, her work leading Aspen Digital’s global policy efforts and the launch of the new public campaign aimed at making cybersecurity accessible and actionable for everyone.
Resources:
View Sasha O’Connell on LinkedIn
View Vinod Vaikuntanathan on LinkedIn
View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn
Related Microsoft Podcasts:
Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
The BlueHat Podcast
Uncovering Hidden Risks
Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts
Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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29:52
Game Plans and Playbooks: Building and Implementing a Cybersecurity Strategy
Christina Morillo, Head of Information Security at the National Football League’s New York Giants joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Christina discusses the ins and outs of building a resilient cybersecurity strategy, the importance of entering organizations with curiosity—not checklists—and why listening is always her first step. Christina breaks down common cybersecurity misconceptions, shares how to move from strategy to implementation, discusses the importance of storytelling in governance and shares how she addresses burnout and mental health in her teams.
Resources:
View Christina Morillo on LinkedIn
View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn
Related Microsoft Podcasts:
Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
The BlueHat Podcast
Uncovering Hidden Risks
Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts
Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
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34:16
Cybercrime and Storytelling with Jack Rhysider
Jack Rhysider, the creator and host of cybersecurity podcast Darknet Diaries joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Jack shares his journey from network security engineer to self-taught storyteller, detailing how his passion for cybersecurity and relentless dedication to learning and marketing helped him build an independent media powerhouse. He discusses the challenges of growing the podcast from scratch, the intensity required to succeed, and why telling well-researched cybercrime stories keeps him motivated.
Resources:
View Jack Rhysider on LinkedIn
View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn
Related Microsoft Podcasts:
Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
The BlueHat Podcast
Uncovering Hidden Risks
Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts
Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.
Ann Johnson, Corporate Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Microsoft, talks with cybersecurity thought leaders and influential industry experts about the trends shaping the cyber landscape and what should be top-of-mind for the C-suite and other key decision makers. Ann and her guests explore the risk and promise of emerging technologies, as well as the impact on how humans work, communicate, consume information, and live in this era of digital transformation. Please note, the opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and are not endorsed by, nor do they necessarily reflect opinions of, Microsoft or Ann Johnson.
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