Talos Takes

In this episode of Talos Takes, David Bianco from Cisco Foundation AI joins Amy to demystify the world of proactive cyber defense. We explore the evolution of the PEAK Threat Hunting framework and talk through how security teams can modernize their approach to identifying risks before they escalate. David also provides an exclusive look at a new open-source tool designed to help hunters navigate the "prepare" phase of PEAK with ease. 
Whether you are building a new program from scratch or looking to refine your existing strategy, take a listen for actionable advice to help you take that next step in your security journey.
PEAK Threat Hunting Assistant: https://blogs.cisco.com/security/introducing-peak-threat-hunting-assistant
GitHub: https://github.com/cisco-foundation-ai/PEAK-Assistant

Service providers are the backbone of modern connectivity — but why are they such attractive targets for cyber actors, and what happens when critical networks go down? In this episode, Martin Lee joins Amy to explore the shifting threat landscape for service providers, asking how defenders can spot silent intrusions, what trade-offs must be considered when patching, and how industry collaboration helps prevent widespread disruptions. Join us as we unpack real-world examples and offer practical insights into protecting the infrastructure that keeps our world connected.
Video: Footholds in Infrastructure: Protecting Service Providers

What separates organizations that successfully fend off ransomware from those that don’t? What were the top threats facing organizations? Can we (pretty please) get a sneak peek into the 2025 Year in Review?
Amy is joined by Dave Liebenberg, Strategic Analysis Team Lead, to break down key findings from Q4 2025's Cisco Talos Incident Response Quarterly Trends Report. From the top threats facing organizations — like the persistent exploitation of public-facing applications and the rise of new vulnerabilities such as Oracle EBS and React2Shell — to the unexpected drop in ransomware cases, this episode is packed with useful info. 
Episode resources:
Q4 2025 Quarterly Trends Report: https://blog.talosintelligence.com/ir-trends-q4-2025/
Qilin blog: https://blog.talosintelligence.com/uncovering-qilin-attack-methods-exposed-through-multiple-cases/
Cybersecurity on a Budget blog: https://blog.talosintelligence.com/cybersecurity-on-a-budget-strategies-for-an-economic-downturn/

Step into the fascinating world of cryptography. Host Amy Ciminnisi sits down with Yuri Kramarz from Cisco Talos Incident Response and Tim Wadhwa-Brown from Cisco Customer Experience to learn what encryption really accomplishes, where it leaves gaps, and when defenders need to take proactive measures.
Whether you’re picturing classic codebreakers or the latest quantum-proof ciphers, this episode unpacks the essentials: what encryption and hashing actually mean, why key management is a make-or-break factor, and how even the best algorithms can fall short if the basics aren’t handled right.
G7's "Coordinating the Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography in the Financial Sector" roadmap: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0355

Get ready for a brand-new era of Talos Takes! In the first episode of the year, Amy Ciminnisi, Talos’ Content Manager and new podcast host, steps up to the mic with Joe Marshall to explore certifications, one of cybersecurity’s overwhelming (and sometimes most controversial) topics. We dive into the world of vendor-specific and vendor-agnostic certs, the value they can bring to your career, and the barriers people often face to getting certified.
Whether you’re a newcomer facing the sea of choices and feeling some analysis paralysis or a seasoned pro plotting your next move, this episode may just motivate you to tackle your next certification with confidence.
Cybersecurity certification roadmap: https://pauljerimy.com/security-certification-roadmap/