Cartels, Drones & Deepfakes: Modern Threats You’re Not Ready For

AI is rewriting the security playbook — from deepfakes and “deep-live” video calls to bot farms, quantum-powered hacking, cartel drones, and fast-moving disinformation. In this episode of Time to Head North, host Vince Vargas sits down with Steve Hernandez (CEO, The North Group) to break down what’s real, what’s hype, and how families, schools, and enterprises can harden their defenses right now.

 

What you’ll learn

• Deepfakes vs. deep-live: why real-time video impersonation is the next frontier
• Quantum + AI: the coming risk to banking, identity, and critical infrastructure
• Bot farms and narrative warfare: how short-form content spreads disinfo at scale
• Voice-clone fraud and “CEO scams”: simple verification workflows that stop it
• Cartels, drones, and domestic event security: what battlefield TTPs mean at home
• Protective intelligence for leaders: closing open-source exposure and access gaps
• School security that works: access control, SRO funding, training cadence that matters
• Everyday readiness: situational awareness for families without living in fear

 

Timestamps

00:00 AI hype vs. real risk, and why deep-live beats deepfake
03:05 Quantum computing + ML: what banks and enterprises should expect
04:34 Bot farms, narrative ops, and the power of short-form manipulation
05:58 Voice cloning, image theft, and social-engineered “FaceTime” scams
08:20 Who’s most vulnerable online — and why
12:05 Cartels, cyber, and drones: lessons from modern conflict zones
20:00 Radicalization, grievance, and lone-actor risk
28:00 Practical family safety and situational awareness
33:40 School security: access control, SROs, and training that sticks
40:30 A call for unity, vigilance, and measured response

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Podcast: Time to Head North — Security refined by intelligence.

Guest: Steve Hernandez, CEO, The North Group
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevehernandeztng/ Website: https://tngdefense.com/