How Microsoft Stays Ahead of the World’s Most Dangerous Hackers
In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Aarti Borkar, Simeon Kakpovi, and Andrew Rapp for a behind-the-scenes look at how Microsoft Threat Intelligence and Microsoft Incident Response teams collaborate as part of a closed-loop system, the emotional toll of breaches, and how organizations of any size can build resilience through preparation and psychological safety. By listening to this segment, you’ll get a preview of what this group brought to the main stage of Black Hat this year.
Later, Sherrod chats with Snow, co-founder of the Social Engineering Community Village at DEF CON, about her journey from special effects makeup to elite social engineer, and how empathy, creativity, and even a ladder can be powerful tools in physical security testing.
In this episode you’ll learn:
How Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit uses legal tactics to disrupt threat actors
Why rehearsing your incident response plan can save weeks of recovery time
How AI is being trained to make social engineering phone calls on its own
Some questions we ask:
How would you describe the overall health of the global cybersecurity landscape?
Why does tailoring AI prompts sometimes feel like social engineering?
What is the feedback loop between incident response, intelligence, and product protections?
Resources:
View Aarti Borkar on LinkedIn
View Simeon Kakpovi on LinkedIn
View Andrew Rapp on LinkedIn
View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn
Microsoft at Black Hat USA 2025
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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1:17:33
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1:17:33
Inside Microsoft’s Global Operation to Disrupt Lumma Stealer’s 2,300-Domain Malware Network
In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Richard Boscovich and Derek Richardson from Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit to unpack the global takedown of Lumma Stealer, one of the world’s largest infostealer malware operations. They discuss how creative legal tools like RICO and centuries-old trespass laws, deep collaboration with global partners, and innovative technical strategies came together to seize 2,300 domains and protect nearly 400,000 victims. The episode explores how the DCU is shifting toward persistent, cost-imposing disruption of cybercrime as a service, and what this means for defenders everywhere.
In this episode you’ll learn:
How Microsoft took down one of the world’s largest infostealer malware operations
The global partnerships with Europol, Japan, and private companies in cyber takedowns
What happens to stolen victim data during a takedown operation
Some questions we ask:
How did you first identify Lumma as a high-priority threat?
Is persistent disruption now the new normal for DCU operations?
Do you see more operations like this coming from DCU in the future?
Resources:
View Richard Boscovich on LinkedIn
View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn
Disrupting Lumma Stealer: Microsoft Leads Global Action Against Favored Cybercrime Tool
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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45:19
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45:19
Tips from Grifter and Lintile for Attending Hacker Summer Camp
In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Grifter, the legendary Black Hat NOC lead, and Lintile, host of Hacker Jeopardy, to go behind the scenes of DEF CON and Black Hat. They unpack the chaos of managing the world’s most hostile networks, share advice for first-time attendees, and explore the vibrant hacker community that thrives on connection, contests, and lifelong friendships. The conversation also covers how to submit compelling CFP abstracts, why live events matter, and the controlled mayhem that defines Hacker Jeopardy each year in Las Vegas.
Heading to Black Hat? Join us at booth #2246 where we will be recording new episodes, and request to attend the VIP Mixer. We’ll also be hosting the BlueHat podcast, our friends from GitHub, and experts from our incident response team.
In this episode you’ll learn:
Why skipping talks at DEF CON to join contests and villages can be more valuable
Tips for crafting compelling CFP abstracts that stand out among 1,000+ submissions
The importance of connection and niche technical discussions in the hacker community
Some questions we ask:
What advice would you give to someone who has never been to DEF CON?
How does the team plan traps and misdirection in Hacker Jeopardy questions?
What do you think the community should focus on getting out of DEF CON?
Resources:
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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1:33:18
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1:33:18
The Art and Science of Microsoft’s Red Team
In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Craig Nelson, who leads the elite Microsoft Red Team. Together, they dive into the art and impact of red teaming at Microsoft: what it means to simulate real-world attacks, how threat intelligence informs operations, and why collaboration between red and blue teams is crucial for organizational resilience.
Craig shares the surprising mission that blurred the lines between physical and cyber security, reflects on how AI is reshaping attacker tactics and defensive strategies, and offers advice for aspiring red teamers. From stories of early hacker days in the ’90s to navigating the complexities of securing cloud and AI systems, this conversation is packed with insights on how Microsoft stays ahead of evolving threats.
In this episode you’ll learn:
The role of human behavior in real-world security breaches
How Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative impacts security culture
What the Microsoft Red Team does and what it doesn’t do
Some questions we ask:
How do you feel about getting caught during a red team operation?
What do you wish people paid more attention to in red team findings?
Is this new AI complexity good or bad for red teaming?
Resources:
View Craig Nelson 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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40:51
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40:51
A Peek Inside Microsoft’s Global Fight Against Cyber Threats
Recorded live at RSAC 2025, this special episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, hosted by Sherrod DeGrippo, brings together Jeremy Dallman from the Microsoft Threat Intelligence and Steven Masada from Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit.
The panel explores the psychology and techniques behind nation-state and criminal cyber actors, how Microsoft innovatively uses legal and technical disruption to dismantle threats like Cobalt Strike and Storm-2139, and the growing trend of adversaries leveraging AI. From North Korean fake job interviews to China's critical infrastructure infiltration, this episode highlights how Microsoft is staying ahead of the curve—and sometimes even rewriting the playbook.
In this episode you’ll learn:
How targeting attacker techniques is more effective than chasing specific actors
The surprising ways threat actors use AI—for productivity, not just deepfakes
Why North Korean threat actors are building full-blown video games to drop malware
Some questions we ask:
What’s the role of Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit and how is it unique in the industry?
Why should cybersecurity professionals read legal indictments?
What impact did Microsoft’s legal actions have on tools like Cobalt Strike and Quakbot?
Resources:
View Jeremy Dallman on LinkedIn
View Steven Masada on LinkedIn
View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn
Bold action against fraud: Disrupting Storm-1152
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.
Join us to hear stories from the Microsoft Threat Intelligence community as they navigate the ever-evolving threat landscape - uncovering APTs, cybercrime gangs, malware, vulnerabilities, and other weird and cool tools and tactics in the world of cyber threats. Featuring tales of innovation, teamwork, and cyber espionage, tune in to hear in-depth analyses of Microsoft's influence on the threat landscape and behind the scenes stories from the tireless researchers and analysts that take part. This enthralling and insightful podcast is delivered in a casual, conversational style that transports you to the frontlines of cyber defense.