Inside this year’s Microsoft Digital Defense Report
In this episode, host Elliot Volkman is joined by Chloe Messdaghi and Karen Frost for a behind-the-scenes look at Microsoft’s annual Digital Defense Report (MDDR). They explore how AI is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape by increasing the speed, scale, and automation of attacks while also giving defenders new tools to detect and respond to threats. The conversation covers AI agents, phishing and identity-based attacks, vulnerability management, security resilience, and the growing need for organizations to connect signals across their environments. Chloe and Karen also share practical priorities for CISOs and discuss what the rise of increasingly autonomous AI agents could mean for the future of cyber defense.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- AI is accelerating the speed and scale of cyber threats
- Identity protection and phishing-resistant MFA remain critical
- Defenders need AI to manage growing security signals and threats
Some questions we ask:
- How can we keep up with vulnerabilities and determine which patches to prioritize?
- If you’re a CISO reading the report, what are the three biggest actions you should take?
- What does the research and threat intelligence tell us about the changing risk landscape?
Resources:
- Read the report
- Access the shorter summary
- View Chloe Messdaghi on LinkedIn
- View Elliot Volkman on LinkedIn
Related Microsoft Podcasts:
Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts
Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider
The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft, Hangar Studios and distributed as part of N2K media network.
Microsoft Threat Intelligence 
Microsoft Threat Intelligence 