Special Editions

Special Editions

Special Editions include extended interviews and bonus content that takes a deeper dive into some of the topics we cover on our daily show.
Join Pro Today
To get access to ad-free episodes, exclusive podcasts, unlimited briefings, stories, and transcripts, and other valuable bonus features sign up today.

Recent Episodes

Ep 96 | 5.10.26

CyberWire Daily at 10: The evolution of geopolitics and warfare.

In this special edition of CyberWire Daily’s 10th anniversary series, N2K CyberWire's ⁠Maria Varmazis⁠ and ⁠Dave Bittner⁠ discuss cybersecurity geopolitics and warfare that have been in the news over the past 10 years. Our conversation treks around the globe beginning with the supply chain malware from the destructive NotPetya campaign out of Russia, then Maria and Dave highlight: Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine pairing cybersecurity and kinetic war, the use of inexpensive technology in warfare in Iran, and shifts of nation-state strategies by China with VoltTyphoon and SaltTyphoon intrusions in critical sectors. They touch on the movement toward zero trust architecture and the rise and proliferation of ransomware. And, what's a conversation between Maria and Dave without a mention of AI and the future? Join us as we reflect on the escalation from election interference and disruption, to espionage and ransomware as national security crises, to integration in kinetic war, and now expansion into space, with AI-driven defenses and NATO codifying cyber as a collective defense domain.

TranscriptTranscript
Ep 95 | 3.29.26

CyberWire Daily at 10: The breaches we still talk about.

In this special edition of CyberWire Daily’s 10th anniversary series, N2K CyberWire's Maria Varmazis and Dave Bittner discuss the biggest breaches over the past 10 years. The foundational 2014 Sony hack kicks off our conversation, then Maria and Dave highlight: the 2015 OPM breach, which exposed sensitive security-clearance data and was attributed to long-term access by China amid outdated government systems and security, 2017’s WannaCry and NotPetya's global disruption and Equifax's ongoing fallout, and the 2020 SolarWinds breach underscored supply-chain risks and raised concerns about potential personal criminal liability for CISOs. The conversation illustrates two main threat-actor categories—nation-state espionage and financially motivated criminals—and the increasingly blurred lines between them. Join us as we reflect on how the industry and cybercrime have evolved over the past decade.

TranscriptTranscript
Ep 94 | 3.22.26

CyberWire Daily at 10: From an idea to the airwaves.

In this special edition of CyberWire Daily’s 10th anniversary series, Maria Varmazis hosts a thoughtful and engaging conversation with N2K CyberWire CEO Peter Kilpe and CyberWire Daily host Dave Bittner, exploring the origin story of the podcast that started it all. From early ambitions to behind-the-scenes turning points, they trace how the show found its voice and evolved from a startup experiment into a trusted cornerstone of the cybersecurity community. Along the way, they share candid anecdotes, hard-earned lessons, and reflections on how both the industry and CyberWire Daily have transformed over the past decade.

TranscriptTranscript
Ep 93 | 3.9.26

Cyber without borders: Reporters notebook.

In this special Reporter’s Notebook, ⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, host here at N2K CyberWire, takes listeners behind the scenes of our three-part series on Cyber Coalition 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia. After exploring real-time incident response, cross-border coordination, and the broader stakes of collective cyber defense, this episode offers a more personal, behind-the-scenes look at how the reporting came together. Hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence, the exercise brought together allied military, government, and industry teams inside NATO’s secure cyber range. Here, Maria reflects on moments that didn’t make the final cut — the atmosphere inside the facilities, the pace of covering a live exercise, and the small, human details that added texture to the larger story.

TranscriptTranscript
Ep 92 | 3.2.26

Cyber Without Borders: Standing guard 210 kilometers from risk.

In the final installment of our three-part series on ⁠⁠Cyber Coalition 2025⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠, host here at N2K CyberWire, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Liz Stokes⁠, CyberWire Producer, step back from the cyber range to reflect on what their time in Tallinn really meant. This episode moves beyond the mechanics of the exercise and into the broader stakes of collective cyber defense in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical moment. Recorded two months after their visit, the conversation blends field tape and personal reflections — from standing outside the Russian Embassy in Old Town to recalling the weight inside NATO’s secure facilities. Estonia’s history, including the 2007 cyberattacks, and its visible solidarity with Ukraine underscore just how real and proximate the risks remain.

TranscriptTranscript
Load More
Special Editions
Host(s)
Dave Bittner
Maria Varmazis
Dave Bittner is a security podcast host and one of the founders at CyberWire. He's a creator, producer, videographer, actor, experimenter, and entrepreneur. He's had a long career in the worlds of television, journalism and media production, and is one of the pioneers of non-linear editing and digital storytelling.
Maria Varmazis is a podcast producer and journalist specializing in space, cybersecurity, and emerging technology. She translates complex industry developments into clear, engaging conversations and thoughtful storytelling that connects technical subjects to the people and ideas shaping the future. Maria is the host of T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing and co-host of Hacking Humans.
Creator: N2K Networks, Inc.
N2K logo