Disruption Now Episode 191 | Your Refrigerator Is More Cyber Secure than Your Computer?
Fri Jan 30 2026
On this episode 191 of the Disruption Now podcast:What happens when an algorithm knows more about your health than your doctor ever will? When AI can process threats faster than any human operator? When China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are probing our systems 24/7?
Dr. Richard Harknett has spent 30+ years answering these questions at the highest levels. As the first Scholar-in-Residence at US Cyber Command and NSA, a key architect of the US Cybersecurity Strategy 2023, and Fulbright Professor in Cyber Studies at Oxford, he's one of the few people who's seen how cyber threats actually unfold—and what we're doing (or not doing) about them.In this conversation, Richard breaks down:🔹 Why the way we thought about security for 70 years "doesn't map" to a networked world🔹 The critical difference between being "in the loop," "on the loop," and "out of the loop" with AI🔹 What China's cyber capabilities mean for everyday Americans (and why it should keep you up at night)🔹 How AI could cut 47,000 annual car accident deaths in half—if we figure out the policy🔹 Why education needs to shift from rote learning to adaptive thinking🔹 The one thing citizens must do to keep technology accountable: "We have to assert ourselves"
Richard's unique background—a social scientist who started in nuclear deterrence before becoming one of the world's leading cyber strategists—gives him a perspective you won't hear anywhere else. This isn't fear-mongering. It's a framework for staying relevant in a world where algorithms are making more decisions every day.Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, business leader, policymaker, or citizen who cares about the future, this episode gives you the language and models to participate in the most important conversations of our time.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction — Why cybersecurity should keep you up at night01:02 Richard's journey: From nuclear weapons to cybersecurity05:15 The moment he realized traditional security thinking was broken10:30 China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea: The real threat landscape18:45 Election security and what's actually at stake25:00 "In the loop" vs "on the loop" — where humans fit with AI32:15 The doctor and the diagnostic pill: AI as expert assistant38:00 Why universities still operate like it's 131842:30 47,000 deaths per year: The case for autonomous vehicles45:00 "We have to assert ourselves" — a civic call to action
👤 ABOUT THE GUEST:Dr. Richard Harknett is Professor and Director of the Center for Cyber Strategy and Policy and Co-Director of the Ohio Cyber Range Institute at the University of Cincinnati. He served as the inaugural Scholar-in-Residence at US Cyber Command and NSA, and was Fulbright Professor in Cyber Studies at Oxford University. He has briefed the White House, Pentagon, State Department, and No. 10 Downing Street on cybersecurity strategy.
🔗 Connect with Richard:University of Cincinnati: https://researchdirectory.uc.edu/p/harknerjOhio Cyber Range Institute: https://ohiocyberrangeinstitute.org
🎧 Subscribe to Disruption Now:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dvmVthUDvScARfMQj1i4AApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-now/id1450562450YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCWDYBJSzBoqgCd1ADPVttSw/#Cybersecurity #AIPolicy #NationalSecurity
🎧 About This Channel
Disruption Now makes technology accessible and human-centric. Our mission is to demystify complex systems and open conversations across domains that are often hard to grasp — from politics to emerging tech, ethics, civic systems, and more — so every viewer can engage thoughtfully and confidently. We disrupt the status quo.
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On this episode 191 of the Disruption Now podcast:What happens when an algorithm knows more about your health than your doctor ever will? When AI can process threats faster than any human operator? When China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are probing our systems 24/7? Dr. Richard Harknett has spent 30+ years answering these questions at the highest levels. As the first Scholar-in-Residence at US Cyber Command and NSA, a key architect of the US Cybersecurity Strategy 2023, and Fulbright Professor in Cyber Studies at Oxford, he's one of the few people who's seen how cyber threats actually unfold—and what we're doing (or not doing) about them.In this conversation, Richard breaks down:🔹 Why the way we thought about security for 70 years "doesn't map" to a networked world🔹 The critical difference between being "in the loop," "on the loop," and "out of the loop" with AI🔹 What China's cyber capabilities mean for everyday Americans (and why it should keep you up at night)🔹 How AI could cut 47,000 annual car accident deaths in half—if we figure out the policy🔹 Why education needs to shift from rote learning to adaptive thinking🔹 The one thing citizens must do to keep technology accountable: "We have to assert ourselves" Richard's unique background—a social scientist who started in nuclear deterrence before becoming one of the world's leading cyber strategists—gives him a perspective you won't hear anywhere else. This isn't fear-mongering. It's a framework for staying relevant in a world where algorithms are making more decisions every day.Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, business leader, policymaker, or citizen who cares about the future, this episode gives you the language and models to participate in the most important conversations of our time. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction — Why cybersecurity should keep you up at night01:02 Richard's journey: From nuclear weapons to cybersecurity05:15 The moment he realized traditional security thinking was broken10:30 China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea: The real threat landscape18:45 Election security and what's actually at stake25:00 "In the loop" vs "on the loop" — where humans fit with AI32:15 The doctor and the diagnostic pill: AI as expert assistant38:00 Why universities still operate like it's 131842:30 47,000 deaths per year: The case for autonomous vehicles45:00 "We have to assert ourselves" — a civic call to action 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST:Dr. Richard Harknett is Professor and Director of the Center for Cyber Strategy and Policy and Co-Director of the Ohio Cyber Range Institute at the University of Cincinnati. He served as the inaugural Scholar-in-Residence at US Cyber Command and NSA, and was Fulbright Professor in Cyber Studies at Oxford University. He has briefed the White House, Pentagon, State Department, and No. 10 Downing Street on cybersecurity strategy. 🔗 Connect with Richard:University of Cincinnati: https://researchdirectory.uc.edu/p/harknerjOhio Cyber Range Institute: https://ohiocyberrangeinstitute.org 🎧 Subscribe to Disruption Now:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dvmVthUDvScARfMQj1i4AApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-now/id1450562450YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCWDYBJSzBoqgCd1ADPVttSw/#Cybersecurity #AIPolicy #NationalSecurity 🎧 About This Channel Disruption Now makes technology accessible and human-centric. Our mission is to demystify complex systems and open conversations across domains that are often hard to grasp — from politics to emerging tech, ethics, civic systems, and more — so every viewer can engage thoughtfully and confidently. We disrupt the status quo. 🔗 Follow & Connect👤 Rob RichardsonFounder, Strategist, Curator X (Twitter): https://x.com/RobforOhioInstagram: https://instagram.com/RobforOhioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robforohio/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robrichardsonjr 🌐 Disruption Now Human-centric tech, culture & conversationYouTube (Core Channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWDYBJSzBoqgCd1ADPVttSwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@disruptionnowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/disrupt.art/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DisruptionNowClubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/@disruptionnow 📅 MidwestCon Week The Midwest’s human-centered tech & innovation week — Sept 8–11, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio 🌆MidwestCon Week brings together builders, policymakers, creators, and learners for multi-sector conversations on technology, policy, and inclusive innovation. Official Website: https://midwestcon.live/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwestcon_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@midwestcon 🔔 Subscribe for Deep, human-centric tech explorationConversations breaking down barriers to understandingEvent updates, including MidwestCon WeekCulture, policy, and innovation insights #DisruptionNow #TechForAll #MidwestConWeek