Hack or Hype with Joseph Menn | Ready. Or Not. Episode 2

Joseph Menn, author of Cult of the Dead Cow joins Ready. Or Not. to unpack the hacker culture that helped shape modern cybersecurity, and what it can teach us about the age of AI. From agents escaping containment to the accelerating arms race between offense and defense, Menn separates what deserves our attention from what’s simply hype. Joseph Menn is an investigative cybersecurity journalist and author who has spent decades uncovering the stories behind some of the world's biggest cyber incidents. Formerly an investigative reporter for The Washington Post, Reuters, and the Financial Times. In conversation with host Nathan Macintosh, Menn explores how hacker culture evolved from internet subculture into the foundation of today's cybersecurity industry. Drawing from decades covering cybercrime, nation-state attacks, organized hacking groups, and emerging technologies, he examines the realities behind AI security risks, the future of cyber defense, and why critical thinking remains one of the most important skills in an increasingly automated world. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Hacker culture helped create and shape the modern cybersecurity industry • AI is accelerating both cyber attacks and cyber defense capabilities • Organizations should distinguish between genuine AI risks and industry hype • Automated vulnerability discovery is transforming cybersecurity • Nation-state actors and cybercriminal organizations increasingly overlap • Critical thinking remains one of the most valuable skills in the age of AI • Open source and proprietary AI models are driving new security and policy debates • Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly central to business, government, and society TL;DR Joseph Menn explains how hackers helped build the modern internet, why cybersecurity is entering a new era driven by AI, and what leaders should understand about emerging threats, digital trust, cybercrime, and the future of security. WHO IS THIS FOR? • CIOs • CISOs • Chief Technology Officers • Security Leaders • Cybersecurity Professionals • Risk & Compliance Leaders • IT Operations Teams • AI Governance Teams • Enterprise Architects • Digital Transformation Leaders • Technology Executives • Business Leaders Evaluating AI Adoption FAQ Q: Who is Joseph Menn? A: Joseph Menn is an investigative cybersecurity journalist and author known for reporting on cybercrime, nation-state hacking, technology policy, and major cybersecurity incidents. He previously worked for The Washington Post, Reuters, and the Financial Times. Q: What is Cult of the Dead Cow? A: Cult of the Dead Cow is one of the most influential hacking groups in U.S. history, known for helping popularize hacktivism and influencing generations of cybersecurity professionals. Q: How is AI changing cybersecurity? A: AI is enabling both defenders and attackers to find vulnerabilities faster, automate tasks, and accelerate cyber operations, creating new opportunities as well as new risks. Q: What is hacktivism? A: Hacktivism refers to the use of hacking techniques in support of political, social, or human rights causes. Q: Why is critical thinking important in the age of AI? A: As AI-generated content, automation, and misinformation become more prevalent, the ability to evaluate information critically is increasingly important for security, decision-making, and digital trust. Watch the full episode in the Readiverse: https://bit.ly/4rEYwwq #Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #CyberCrime #Hacktivism #DigitalTrust #JosephMenn #ReadyOrNot