NCSC Cyber Series
National Cyber Security Centre 15 episodes Oct 23, 2026
This podcast series comes from the UK National Cyber Security Centre and explores the evolving world of cyber security. Each episode discusses topical issues, emerging trends, and expert insights from in-house specialists and external guests. Episodes provide a focused look at specific cyber security topics with useful knowledge and actionable advice. Listeners are directed to ncsc.gov.uk for further resources and updates.
Episodes
Ten years, four CEOs, one mission
In July 2024, Felicity Oswald woke to her radio alarm at ten past seven. The first voice she heard was Ciaran Martin, her predecessor, talking about the CrowdStrike incident. Her day as head of the National Cyber Security Centre was about to go very differently from the one she had planned.To mark the NCSC's tenth anniversary, host Darragh sits down with all four people who have led the organi
Institutional Wilful Blindness: Part 2
If organisations understand cyber risk, what does it actually take to turn awareness into action?In this second part of our two-part special on institutional wilful blindness, host Darragh continues the conversation with leadership expert and author Margaret Heffernan, Professor Genevieve Liveley, Director of the Research Institute for Sociotechnical Cyber Security (RISCS), and Kathryn, Head of So
Institutional Wilful Blindness
If organisations know cyber risk is real, why do so many still fail to act before it’s too late?In this first part of a two-part special on institutional wilful blindness, host Darragh is joined by leadership expert and author Margaret Heffernan, Professor Genevieve Liveley, Director of the Research Institute for Sociotechnical Cyber Security (RISCS), and Kathryn, Head of Social Sciences at NCSC.T
The New AI Reality
What if the biggest artificial intelligence disaster in cyber security isn't an external hack, but a defensive AI system co-opted by an insider? Welcome to the latest episode of the National Cyber Security Center's refreshed podcast, where host Darragh unpacks the revolutionary force of AI. Joined by The Economist’s Alex Hern, NCSC CTO Ollie Whitehouse, and Deputy CTO Peter Hague, the panel dives
Cyber Essentials
In this episode of Cyber Series, we explore the foundations of effective cyber security with experts Mary Haigh (BAE Systems), Emma Philpott (IASME Consortium), and Chris Ensor (NCSC). They discuss the purpose of Cyber Essentials, the five core technical controls, and why “getting the basics right” remains a challenge for organisations of all sizes. From practical implementation tips to tackling r
Post-Quantum Cryptography
In this episode of Cyber Series, Darragh sits down with Dr Jeremy Bradley (Principal TD for Crypt and High Threat Technologies), and Flo D (Deputy CTO for Cyber Policy, NCSC-CAP) to explore what “the quantum threat” really means and how organisations should prepare.From international standards and timelines for migration, to challenges facing critical national infrastructure, our guests break down
Professional Standards in cyber security
What does it mean to be a cyber professional today? In this episode, we explore how professional standards are shaping the field with guests from the Bank of England. From qualifications to cross-sector collaboration, we unpack what’s needed to thrive in a complex threat landscape.
Communications in an incident
When a cyber incident hits, what you say and how you say it can make all the difference. In this episode of The Cyber Series, we’re joined by Nicola Hudson, Partner at Brunswick and Global Lead for Cybersecurity, Data & Privacy, and Beth Maundrill, Editor at Infosecurity Magazine.Together, we unpack why strong communication is vital during a crisis, common mistakes organisations make, and how
Passkeys in practice
In this episode, we are joined by Ollie Whitehouse NCSC CTO, and Google VP Cyber Security Resilience Officer, Heather Adkins to unpack passkeys.They break down what passkeys are, why they matter, and how they’re being adopted across industries. From user experience to cost savings and security, this episode explores the future of authentication and why it might be time to move on from passwords.Ch
Reflections on his First 100 Days: A Conversation with Richard Horne
In this episode, we sit down with Richard Horne, our CEO, as he reflects on his first 100 days in the role.From surprises and challenges to insights on the evolving cyber security landscape, Richard shares his experiences and key takeaways from his time in post. Tune in for an inside look at his journey so far!
Artificial Intelligence
Welcome to Artificial Intelligence! In this episode we’re
joined by Viscount Camrose, Minister for AI, as we discuss the security and ethical dimensions of AI, its impact on humanity, and the balance of opportunities and risks.
Discover how we’re preparing the workforce for AI’s
future and upcoming regulations to protect consumers from cyber crime.
Cyber Proliferation
It’s a first in the Cyber Series as in this episode we’re
joined by Will Middleton, Cyber Director at the FCDO.
Together, we delve into the evolving cyber threat landscape, discussing its impacts and future trajectories. Tune in for insights on strategies and actionable steps to combat
cyber proliferation.
Life Beyond Passwords
Welcome to life beyond passwords! In this episode, we
explore the significance of passwords and envision a world without them.
Despite their drawbacks, why are passwords still pervasive? Listen as we discuss the challenges of transitioning away from passwords and our pragmatic
approach to password management best practices.
Correction: at 19:37 we stated that a hardware token
doesn’t count as a
Incidents and Information Sharing
In this episode, we will uncover the crucial role of sharing
cyber security insights.
From enhancing resilience to fostering collective defence, discover why sharing information is paramount in combating cyber threats.
The Ransomware Ecosystem
In our debut episode, we dissect the latest cyber crime
trends from our Evolution of Cyber Crime paper, and unravel the MO behind ransomware attacks.
From the attack mechanics themselves to mitigation strategies, join us as we explore the who, what and how of ransomware.
