Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast

• A Blizzard Is Impacting NATO and Ukraine – The Latest on Russian Cyber Threats

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by two Microsoft security researchers to analyze the latest Russian nation-sponsored cyber threat activity. They discuss how Russian threat actors—collectively referred to by Microsoft with the Blizzard suffix—are primarily targeting Ukraine and NATO member states, focusing on espionage, influence operations, and cyber disruption. The conversation covers Russia’s reliance on cybercrime infrastructure, the vulnerabilities of academic and IT supply chains, and the evolving tactics of groups like Secret Blizzard and Seashell Blizzard.     In this episode you’ll learn:       Why 90% of Russian cyber-attacks target Ukraine and NATO member states  How Russian threat actors exploit academic identities to infiltrate government networks  The role of cybercriminal marketplaces in supplying tools and access to nation-state actors    Some questions we ask:         How does Secret Blizzard leverage infrastructure from other threat groups?  Is there evidence of collaboration between different Russian cyber groups?  Why is identity security such a critical factor in cyber defense?      Resources:   Attending RSAC? Connect with Sherrod and Microsoft  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.

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• Microsoft’s CVP of Fraud on Combating Ecosystem Abuse

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by two expert guests to explore critical challenges in today’s evolving threat landscape.  First, Sherrod sits down with Kelly Bissell, CVP of Fraud at Microsoft, to discuss the complexities of combating fraud and product abuse. Kelly digs into the unique challenges Microsoft faces, highlighting prevalent schemes such as crypto mining, tech support scams, and the exploitation of deepfakes. Kelly also shares insights into Microsoft’s proactive approach, including recent Azure policy changes and efforts to detect and prevent fraud across its services, especially those attempting to use the compute power for crypto mining.  Later, Sherrod is joined by Priyanka Ramesha, Senior Threat Researcher on the Defender Experts team, to examine the rising risks of cloud-native attacks. They unpack why threat actors are increasingly targeting the cloud, exploiting its complexity, scalability, and common misconfigurations. Priyanka explains how attackers gain initial access through tactics like phishing, API exploitation, and OAuth abuse, and outlines their methods for credential theft, lateral movement, and data exfiltration.  In this episode you’ll learn:       What crypto mining looks like in Azure and how Microsoft detects and prevents it  The five main areas of fraud and product abuse that Microsoft focuses on  How attackers exploit the complexity and misconfigurations in cloud infrastructures    Some questions we ask:         How long do crypto mining operations run unnoticed in a customer's environment?  What changes did Microsoft make to its policy regarding crypto mining?  Why are legitimate apps sometimes compromised and used in attacks?    Resources:   View Kelly Bissell on LinkedIn    View Priyanka Ramesha 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.

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• Seashell Blizzard Ramping Up Operations and OSINT Trends of DPRK Threat Actors

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by security researchers Elise Eldridge and Anna Seitz to discuss the most recent notable developments across the threat landscape.   The threat actor, also known as Sandworm or APT44, has also been observed resuming the use of the wrappers WalnutWipe and SharpWipe, and expanded the use of the Prickly Pear malware downloader. The team highlights the geopolitical implications of these attacks, particularly in the context of Russia's influence on energy and global events. Sherrod also touches on the history of wipers in cyber operations and transitions to a discussion with Elise about trends in North Korean cyber activity, emphasizing Microsoft's ongoing efforts to analyze and mitigate these threats.  In this episode you’ll learn:       Why recent attacks have targeted the European energy sector  How Seashell Blizzard’s attacks in 2024 involved spear-phishing campaigns  Why North Korean hackers infiltrate companies through remote IT job programs    Some questions we ask:        How has Seashell Blizzard returned to using wipers, and what might explain this shift?  After sending out crafted spear-phishing emails, what happens next in the attack chain?  How might global geopolitics impact Seashell Blizzard's campaigns?     Resources:   View Elise Eldridge LinkedIn   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 and distributed as part of N2K media network.

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• Threat Landscape Update: North Korean IT Workers, OSINT, and Remote Monitoring and Management Abuse

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by security researchers Caitlin Hopkins, Diana Duvieilh, and Anna Seitz to discuss the latest trends in cybersecurity threats.   The team explores OSINT observations around Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools like Screen Connect by nation-state actors and reveals how they are used to deploy malware like AsyncRAT, ransomware, and execute phishing scams. They also uncover alarming tactics, such as North Korean IT workers posing as legitimate coders to infiltrate organizations, who steal cryptocurrency and use it to fund their regime. Since 2017 they have contributed to the theft of more than $3 billion.  In this episode you’ll learn:       The role of tech support scam websites in tricking victims into allowing remote access  How cybercriminal and nation-state actors are increasingly exploiting remote monitoring  Why the financial services sector is a major target for cyberattacks    Some questions we ask:         What is Screen Connect, and why is it attractive to threat actors?  How long have RMM tools been used in C2 frameworks?  Why are remote management tools being used in command-and-control systems?    Resources:   View Caitlin Hopkins on LinkedIn   View Diana Duvieilh on LinkedIn   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 and distributed as part of N2K media network.

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• Doctors’ Perspective: The Rise of Healthcare Ransomware

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Christian Dameff and Jeff Tully, co-directors from the UCSD Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity, and contributors to our recent Healthcare Ransomware report.   They discuss their unique backgrounds as doctors and hackers, focusing on healthcare cybersecurity, and the growing risks of hospital ransomware attacks. Christian shares his journey from hacking as a teenager to combining his passion for medicine and cybersecurity, particularly the risks posed to patient safety by vulnerable medical devices. Jeff adds his perspective, highlighting the parallels between medicine and hacking, and their efforts at UCSD to bring evidence-based research to healthcare cybersecurity. The conversation explores the challenges and importance of protecting critical healthcare systems from cyber threats, aiming to improve patient safety and outcomes.  In this episode you’ll learn:       How medical device vulnerabilities reveal the impact of cybersecurity on patient care  The lack of comprehensive data on healthcare ransomware attacks  When ransomware-induced disruptions can delay life-saving procedures    Some questions we ask:         As healthcare providers, what stands out to you about ransomware in healthcare?  What does the UCSD Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity do?  What ransomware attacks are common in healthcare, and how do they differ from other industries?    Resources:   View Jeff Tully on LinkedIn   View Christian Dameff on LinkedIn   View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn   Healthcare Ransomware Report    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.

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