Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast

In this episode, host Elliot Volkman is joined by Chloe Messdaghi and Karen Frost for a behind-the-scenes look at Microsoft’s annual Digital Defense Report (MDDR). They explore how AI is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape by increasing the speed, scale, and automation of attacks while also giving defenders new tools to detect and respond to threats. The conversation covers AI agents, phishing and identity-based attacks, vulnerability management, security resilience, and the growing need for organizations to connect signals across their environments. Chloe and Karen also share practical priorities for CISOs and discuss what the rise of increasingly autonomous AI agents could mean for the future of cyber defense.  In this episode you’ll learn:       AI is accelerating the speed and scale of cyber threats  Identity protection and phishing-resistant MFA remain critical  Defenders need AI to manage growing security signals and threats  Some questions we ask:      How can we keep up with vulnerabilities and determine which patches to prioritize?  If you’re a CISO reading the report, what are the three biggest actions you should take?  What does the research and threat intelligence tell us about the changing risk landscape?  Resources:   Read the report  Access the shorter summary  View Chloe Messdaghi on LinkedIn   View Elliot Volkman on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                    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 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.