Debugged S3 E11: Cyber Crossroads: Navigating Policy and Threats with Daniel Kroese

Hello! Welcome back to Debugged, the Congressional App Challenge’s alumni-led podcast that connects the country’s youth with technology by debugging the intricate world of computer science.

In the episode, host Medha Gupta had the pleasure of chatting with Daniel Kroese, who is the Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Palo Alto Networks. Equipped with a wealth of cybersecurity experience from working in the legislative and executive branch, Kroese leads efforts of interfacing the work of Palo Alto Networks with leaders on Capitol Hill and other governments around the world.

Kroese was introduced to cybersecurity over a decade ago working as the Chief of Staff for a member of Congress who chaired a cybersecurity subcommittee. He shares some insights into how the world’s perception of the field has changed since then, as well as a radical headline for a talk his team gave that would now be considered commonplace.

While Kroese started his cybersecurity career in the public sector, he now works in the private sector. With Medha, he discusses how the same mission that originally drew him into the field has helped him find fulfillment in the work he does, no matter what logo sits at the top of his business card. This mission involves realizing that cybersecurity is no longer just an IT nuisance, but a matter of economical and national security.

Later in the interview, Kroese talks about striking a balance between protecting national security and individual privacy rights in the field of cybersecurity. He believes that cybersecurity is a great enabler of personal privacy, and gives some examples of recent legislation that demonstrates this. He also shares his hopes for the future legislation that will double down on helping “target rich, resource poor” entities (e.g. small businesses, schools, etc.) be more equipped to handle cybersecurity attacks.

Kroese was among the earliest advocators for the importance of cybersecurity and it “protecting our digital way of life.” Likewise, his insights today are also compelling as to what might come next in the field: he believes that AI has the potential to turbocharge cyber defense, allowing analysts to focus on more proactive work than defensive monitoring and triaging massive feeds of data for attacks. He also believes that AI will lead to more negative trends, though: phishing attacks today are easy to spot, but will they be once generative AI makes them sound much more believable and grounded in context?

To any student listeners interested in the field of cybersecurity, Kroese ends the interview by sharing some free “curriculum in a box” resources published by Palo Alto Networks. Tune in to this week’s episode of Debugged to hear more about Kroese’s fascinating career and insights about the cybersecurity field!

More about Debugged

Founded in 2021 by the Congressional App Challenge’s Alumni Advisory Board, Debugged is a unique podcast experience that seeks to redefine STEM education, shine a light on diverse voices, and further the narrative around a myriad of computer science topics. By highlighting trends in the industry, breaking down complicated concepts, and interviewing high profile guests, listeners are given the opportunity to delve into the world of technology in an analytical yet engaging way.

Debugged is free to stream on your favorite platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more via Anchor.fm! To be the first to know about new episodes, and to learn more about the team of eleven alumni behind every one, follow @cacdebugged on Instagram and X. Thank you so much for your viewership; we hope you enjoy the episode!