Cybertraps Podcast

INCH360 2025: Rise of Phishing and AI-Driven Scams with Heather Stratford

In this episode from the Inch360 Conference, cybersecurity expert Heather Stratford explores how AI is revolutionizing phishing attacks and social engineering tactics. She breaks down the rapid adoption of AI—with ChatGPT reaching 100 million users in just two months—and explains how criminals are weaponizing machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing to create highly personalized, sophisticated attacks.Stratford examines real-world breaches including the MGM hack and a $25 million deepfake Zoom scam, demonstrating how attackers combine voice impersonation, social engineering, and AI-generated content to bypass traditional security measures. She reveals the shocking accessibility of cybercrime tools, with AI-powered phishing kits available for just $20.The episode emphasizes that once-a-year security training is no longer sufficient. Stratford advocates for weekly micro-learning sessions, monthly phishing simulations, and role-specific training—especially for executives, accounting teams, and anyone with financial access. She stresses that while technology defenses are important, the human element remains the most vulnerable layer, making continuous employee education critical in the AI-driven threat landscape. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

INCH360 2025: Ryan Nelson

This episode is a part of a special series of interviews conducted at the INCH360 Cybersecurity Conference in Spokane, Washington. Visit their website to learn more about INCH360 and their mission. Host Jethro D. Jones interviews Ryan Nelson from IBM's X-Force about the realities of incident response in cybersecurity. Ryan shares insights into handling cyberattacks, the importance of adaptability, and the role of communication and teamwork during high-stress investigations. The conversation also covers working with law enforcement, threat intelligence, and lessons learned from real-world breaches. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

INCH360 2025: Cyber Risk as a Business Imperative

INCH360 2025: Sam Kabui

This episode is a part of a special series of interviews conducted at the INCH360 Cybersecurity Conference in Spokane, Washington. Visit their website to learn more about INCH360 and their mission. Host Jethro D. Jones interviews Sam Kabui, a cybersecurity analyst at STCU. Sam shares insights on protecting financial data, the importance of robust cybersecurity awareness, and why people—not just technology—are key to defending organizations. The conversation also explores the role of business risk in cybersecurity and the value of effective communication and recovery planning. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

INCH360 2025: Aydan MacKay

This episode is a part of a special series of interviews conducted at the INCH360 Cybersecurity Conference in Spokane, Washington. Visit their website to learn more about INCH360 and their mission. Host Jethro D. Jones talks with Aydan MacKay, an EWU computer science graduate, about his experiences at the Inch 360 cybersecurity conference, the importance of social skills in cybersecurity, and the evolving role of AI in software development. Aydan shares insights on job hunting, personal projects, and the challenges and opportunities facing new tech professionals. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.