What happens when the lights go out?

In this episode of Wired for Change, host Amy Yee sits down with Cheryl Biswas, Strategic Threat Intelligence Specialist, to explore the real-world impact of cyber threats on critical infrastructure — from power grids and water supplies to hospitals and financial systems.

Cheryl shares her personal journey into cybersecurity, sparked by the discovery of Stuxnet, and explains why threat intelligence is not just about collecting data but about providing context, meaning, and timely action. Together, they dive into:

• How nation-state adversaries exploit fear and disruption

• The lessons of Stuxnet, Ukraine’s power grid attacks, and Volt Typhoon

• Why OT/ICS systems present unique risks for critical infrastructure

• How tabletop exercises expose hidden organizational gaps

• The role of diversity, community, and the next generation of cyber defenders

This conversation connects geopolitics, technology, and human psychology — reminding us that defending critical infrastructure is ultimately about protecting the things of life.

🔔 Subscribe to Wired for Change for more conversations on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and resilience.