Razorwire Cyber Security & InfoSec Insights

What happens when your organisation adopts AI faster than your security strategy can keep up?
Welcome to Razorwire, the podcast where we share our take on the world of cybersecurity with direct, practical advice for professionals and business owners alike. I'm Jim, and in this episode, I'm joined by Martin Voelk, penetration tester and AI red teamer, and Jonathan Care, lead analyst covering the intersection of AI, cybersecurity and identity.
We started out planning to talk about the rise of CTEM (Continuous Threat Exposure Management) and why traditional pentesting and vulnerability scanning can't keep up anymore. But the conversation quickly went further than that, into the real security risks of AI agents, prompt injection, vibe coding and the speed at which organisations are adopting AI without thinking about what happens when it goes wrong.
Martin shares examples from his red teaming work of how AI agents can be tricked into exfiltrating data and executing malicious code, Jonathan makes the case for why identity needs to become a first class attack surface in any CTEM programme; and all three of us end up genuinely concerned about what happens when CISOs are expected to govern technology that's moving faster than anyone can keep up with. This one ended up not going quite as planned, and it's all the better for it.
Three key talking points:
Why traditional security testing can't keep up with AI and agent-driven attacks: Annual pentests and periodic vulnerability scans were built for a world where things changed slowly. Martin and Jonathan explain why that model is no longer suitable when new AI vulnerabilities are emerging daily, most of them without a CVE number attached, and why CTEM as a continuous programme rather than a one-off exercise is becoming essential.
How prompt injection and invisible exploits are rewriting the rules of risk: Martin shares examples from his red teaming work where AI agents were tricked into exfiltrating data through a fake spellchecker and downloading malicious code disguised as a support tool. He and Jonathan discuss why prompt injections are so difficult to defend against, how they can be hidden in emails, PDFs, code and even voice, and why traditional security tools don't detect them.
What CISOs and tech leaders must face as responsibility and risk escalate: Organisations are adopting AI faster than security teams can govern it, and CISOs are caught between being seen as obstructionist if they slow things down or negligent if they let things through. Jonathan and Martin get into the legal grey areas around who's responsible when an AI agent causes harm and why the lack of clear legislation makes this even harder to navigate.

If your organisation is adopting AI and your security model hasn't changed to match, this is a conversation worth listening to.

On why traditional security testing no longer works:
“You have new releases and new technology popping up almost on a daily basis. And you have vulnerabilities popping up on a daily basis as well. The traditional model we have in place with regular penetration testing, once every three months, once every year, that doesn't cut it anymore.”
Martin Voelk
Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform: https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen
In this episode, we covered the following topics:
The Acceleration of AI Adoption Find out why organisations are pushing AI adoption at a pace that's leaving security teams behind and why the pressure from upper management to automate is creating serious blind spots.
Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) Evolution Learn why CTEM is a programme not a product, how it differs from traditional vulnerability management and why it focuses on what an attacker can actually exploit right now rather than theoretical CVE scores.
Limitations of Traditional Security Testing Understand why annual pentests and periodic vulnerability scans were built for a different era and why they can't keep up with a landscape where new AI vulnerabilities emerge daily.
The Changing Nature of Exploits Discover why many of the attacks hitting AI systems don't have a CVE associated with them at all, and why the traditional model of scoring and prioritising vulnerabilities is falling short.
Prompt Injection Risks Learn how prompt injections work, why they can be embedded in almost anything from emails and PDFs to code comments and voice, and why they're so difficult to defend against compared to traditional injection attacks.
Agentic AI and Chained Attacks Find out why compromising a single AI agent in an orchestrated system can have a knock-on effect across the entire ecosystem, and why the blast radius is far greater than with traditional vulnerabilities.
Visibility and Explainability Understand why maintaining oversight of AI systems matters, why security teams risk rubber-stamping AI-driven decisions they don't fully understand and why explainability is becoming a critical requirement.
Supply Chain and Third-Party AI Concerns Explore how the use of open source models, third-party AI agents and tools like OpenClaw is exposing organisations to indirect vulnerabilities they may not even know about.
Identity as the New Attack Surface Learn why misconfigured identities, over-privileged service accounts and weak authentication between AI agents are becoming primary targets, and why CTEM programmes need to treat identity as a first class concern.
Regulatory and Legal Accountability Find out why jurisdictions are still divided on who's responsible when an AI agent causes harm, from the Air Canada chatbot ruling to the question of what accountability looks like when AI is making autonomous decisions.

Resources Mentioned
Gartner
OpenClaw
PCI DSS
Tenable
Nessus
Anthropic
Claude
Claude Secure Code
Groq
Air Canada - AI Lawsuit
Engineering Council of Great Britain
11 Labs
Voicebox
SpartanX Technologies
SpartanX AI
Mexican Government Cyberattack
Connect with your host James Rees
Hello, I am James Rees, the host of the Razorwire podcast. This podcast brings you insights from leading cyber security professionals who dedicate their careers to making a hacker’s life that much more difficult.
Our guests bring you experience and expertise from a range of disciplines and from different career stages. We give you various viewpoints for improving your cyber security – from seasoned professionals with years of experience, triumphs and lessons learned under their belt, to those in relatively early stages of their careers offering fresh eyes and new insights.
With new episodes every other Wednesday, Razorwire is a podcast for cyber security enthusiasts and professionals providing insights, news and fresh ideas on protecting your organisation from hackers.
For more information about us or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss email [email protected].
If you need consultation, visit www.razorthorn.com, We give our clients a personalised, integrated approach to information security, driven by our belief in quality and discretion.
LinkedIn: Razorthorn Security
YouTube:

Are you ready for the cybersecurity incident that could bring your business to a standstill?
On this episode of Razorwire, I sit down with Marius Poskus, a CISO and vCISO, to tackle one of the most crucial yet overlooked aspects of information security: incident response. Whether you’re leading a cyber team, supporting your board, or simply keen to sharpen your readiness, we dig into what happens when your best defences fail and chaos strikes.

We talk about what actually happens when an incident hits and why polished policies on their own aren't enough. From the practical realities CISOs face at the sharp end of an incident, through the pitfalls of security theatre, to the importance of clear communications and building resilience, we get into the lessons the playbooks often miss. Marius and I talk through wargaming, learning from unexpected scenarios and how to empower teams to make tough decisions on the fly.

Key talking points:
Wargaming the Unthinkable:
What happens when your CEO dies? When your entire C-suite is on a plane for six hours and unreachable? When someone poisons the fish at a team dinner? Jim and Marius talk about why the most valuable wargaming exercises aren't the predictable ones. Testing unusual, uncomfortable scenarios is what exposes the single points of failure nobody thought about and builds the kind of muscle memory that no written policy can replace.
Decision-making Authority in Crisis:
One of Marius's contacts had a major ransomware incident and needed to hire 200 people within hours. The biggest problem wasn't the attack itself, it was getting budget approved and contracts signed fast enough. Learn why pre-agreed access to emergency funds, signing authority and the ability to bypass normal procurement processes can be the difference between a swift response and days of lost time.
Security Theatre and Why It Falls Apart Under Pressure:
Marius has been making waves on LinkedIn talking about companies that want the appearance of security rather than the real thing. In this episode, he and Jim get into why polished policies that have never been tested crumble the moment a real incident hits, how to tell the difference between genuine preparedness and box-ticking and what it actually takes to build an incident response capability that works when it matters.
Listen and step inside the mindset every cybersecurity professional needs before the worst happens.
On testing your plan:
"You never want to run through an incident response scenario first time when the real thing happens."
Marius Poskus

Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform: https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen

In this episode, we covered the following topics:
The Importance of Incident Response Find out why incident response is still one of the most neglected areas of security, how to get organisational buy-in for proper preparation and what happens when the first time you test your plan is during the real thing.
Security Theatre vs. Real Preparedness Learn how focusing on the appearance of security rather than genuine preparedness leaves organisations vulnerable when a real incident hits, and what it takes to build real readiness through testing and practice.
Practical Testing and Muscle Memory Discover why written policies aren't enough on their own and how regular testing and tabletop exercises help teams build the confidence to act effectively under pressure.
Authority and Decision-Making During Events Learn how to set up clear escalation paths and decision-making authority before an incident happens, including access to emergency funds and the ability to hire specialist support at short notice.
C-Suite Engagement and Support Find out how senior executives can best support their security teams during an incident, from trusting CISOs to lead the response to providing practical help like food, hotel rooms and team rotations.
Communication and PR During Incidents Explore how thoughtful, transparent communication can protect reputation and rebuild trust after a breach, and why generic "we take security seriously" messaging does more harm than good.
Resilience and Recovery Strategies Learn how to maintain business operations while an incident is unfolding, from planned team rotations and post-breach customer support to quantifying downtime for the board.
Wargaming and Scenario Thinking Find out why testing unusual scenarios, not just technical failures, helps organisations expose single points of failure and prepare for real-world unpredictability.
Critical Thinking and Cybersecurity Career Skills Discover why curiosity, initiative and adaptability matter more than following prescribed instructions, both for handling incidents and for building a career in cybersecurity.
Learning from Mistakes and History Explore how drawing on real historical events and shared industry experiences equips professionals to handle crisis situations, make tough decisions and build personal resilience.

Resources Mentioned
SolarWinds
Cited as a high-impact security incident affecting third parties and requiring significant communication. https://www.solarwinds.com/
Professor Messer
Cited as a free educational resource for CompTIA courses.
https://www.professormesser.com/
Network Chuck
Mentioned as a well-known YouTuber focused on networking tutorials and resources.
https://www.youtube.com/c/NetworkChuck
CompTIA
Reference to a popular provider of IT and cybersecurity certifications.
https://www.comptia.org/
Y2K (Year 2000 problem)
Discussed as a past example of widespread incident response planning.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_2000_problem
Changi Jail
Historical site referenced during a discussion of resilience and decision-making under pressure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changi_Prison
Rorke’s Drift
Brought up as a historical account to learn about resilience.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rorke%27s_Drift
Apollo 13 (“Houston, we have a problem”)
Referenced as an example of problem solving under extreme pressure with limited resources.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13
US Military zombie apocalypse wargaming
Referenced as an example of creative scenario planning for incident response.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONOP_8888
The Y-Files
Referenced as a source of conspiracy theories and unusual scenarios Jim enjoys.
https://www.youtube.com/@TheYFiles

Connect with your host James Rees

Hello, I am James Rees, the host of the Razorwire podcast. This podcast brings you insights from leading cyber security professionals who dedicate their careers to making a hacker’s life that much more difficult.
Our guests bring you experience and expertise from a range of disciplines and from different career stages. We give you various viewpoints for improving your cyber security – from seasoned professionals with years of experience, triumphs and lessons learned under their belt, to those in relatively early stages of their careers offering fresh eyes and new insights.
With new episodes every other Wednesday, Razorwire is a podcast for cyber security enthusiasts and...

Is there really honour amongst cybercriminals or is it every hacker for themselves?
On this episode of Razorwire, I’m joined by Martin Voelk, a seasoned ethical hacker, to take a look at how the world’s most notorious cybercriminal groups really operate. We trace the journey from early hacking culture to today’s sprawling underworld of digital organised crime. Along the way, we ask: What does "hacker" truly mean and who actually gets caught when the authorities close in?
We discuss the blurred lines between white hat and black hat hackers and why some of the most skilled operators never set foot in the countries they target. Martin and I explore the various motivations behind cyber attacks, from ideology to pure profit and debate why classic notions of criminal “honour” simply don’t hold up in this ruthless business. We share stories from both sides of the fence - how cyber gangs operate like corporations, how rivalry and betrayal play out behind the scenes and why it’s never been easier to get started in cybercrime (if you’re not fussy about the law). The episode closes with a stark look at the arms race between attackers and defenders and what it means for the future of cybersecurity.
Three key talking points
Fresh Perspectives on Hacker Mentality:
Martin breaks down the difference between hackers, researchers and outright criminals, challenging media stereotypes. We examine why understanding attacker psychology isn’t just academic - it’s essential for building better defences.
Behind the Scenes of Cybercrime-as-a-Service:
Hear how today’s criminal groups mirror legitimate organisations, complete with their own HR, development teams and even “scapegoats” to throw authorities off their trail. Discover what this corporatisation means for detection, attribution and response.
The Global Chessboard: Tactics, Rivalries and AI Advances:
Learn why the most effective cyber operators operate with impunity from certain countries, protected through corruption and international legal gaps. We unpack how rivalries really play out, the role of AI in hands of both attackers and defenders and what to expect as attack automation accelerates.

Tune in and arm yourself with real-world insights that go beyond the headlines - because what you don’t know about the criminal underground could be your biggest risk.

AI-Powered Cyber Threats Target Weaker Defences:
"Because the hackers are predominantly looking at the weakest targets, does it make sense to hack into the most sophisticated bank in the United States? Or do I rather target a mid-sized bank in Mexico where I already know that they had previous security vulnerabilities?"
Martin Voelk

Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform: https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen

In this episode, we covered the following topics:
The Evolution of Hacking
Explore how hacking started as a curiosity-driven activity, the role of groups like the Chaos Computer Club and why the term “hacker” was never originally a negative label.
Different Types of Hackers
Learn about the three main categories of attacker (hacktivists, financially motivated criminals and state-sponsored groups) and what drives each of them.
Organised Crime's Role in Cybercrime
Discover how cybercrime evolved from individuals working alone to structured operations with recruitment, development teams and corporate-style hierarchies.
Scapegoats and Sacrificial Lambs
Find out what can happen to less skilled members of criminal groups and how the people who get arrested are rarely the ones running the operation.
Safe Havens and Jurisdictional Gaps
Understand how top operators work from countries with no extradition treaties, often protected by corruption, and why Western law enforcement struggles to reach them.
The Rise of Ransomware and Espionage
Learn why attackers target Western organisations where ransoms are more likely to be paid and how corporate espionage is a bigger part of the picture than most people realise.
Rivalries and Alliances Among Hacker Groups
Find out how competition between groups plays out in forums, why it’s driven by profit rather than politics and how hackers from rival nations routinely work together.
AI's Dual Impact on Cybersecurity
Learn why AI has made it easier than ever to develop malicious code, how both sides are using it and why SMBs and less cyber-aware countries face the greatest risk going forward.

Resources Mentioned

Silk Road
Dread Pirate Roberts
Conti Files
Chaos Computer Club
GitHub
Hugging Face
Claude Code
Cursor CLI
Google Anti-Gravity
Flipper Zero
Tor network
El Salvador crypto currency acceptance
Tron chain

Connect with your host James Rees

Hello, I am James Rees, the host of the Razorwire podcast. This podcast brings you insights from leading cyber security professionals who dedicate their careers to making a hacker’s life that much more difficult.
Our guests bring you experience and expertise from a range of disciplines and from different career stages. We give you various viewpoints for improving your cyber security – from seasoned professionals with years of experience, triumphs and lessons learned under their belt, to those in relatively early stages of their careers offering fresh eyes and new insights.
With new episodes every other Wednesday, Razorwire is a podcast for cyber security enthusiasts and professionals providing insights, news and fresh ideas on protecting your organisation from hackers.
For more information about us or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss email [email protected].
If you need consultation, visit www.razorthorn.com, We give our clients a personalised, integrated approach to information security, driven by our belief in quality and discretion.
LinkedIn: Razorthorn Security
YouTube: