Cyber Made Human

In this episode of Cyber Made Human, Alice Violet is joined by Hollie Wakefield, General Manager at CyNam (Gloucestershire's cybersecurity cluster), to discuss what cyber clusters actually are, why Cheltenham has become a powerhouse, and what’s coming for cyber in 2026. We cover: Cyber Clusters Cross-sector collaboration in the tech sector Why cyber companies collaborate so well The most significa...

In this special live of Cyber Made Human Host Alice Violet is joined by Senior Leadership Coach and Consultant Katie Muldoon, and Alexander Giles, Chief Commercial Officer at GHS Clinics. We cover: The rise of AI as companions Chatbots as conversational supports The integration of these into existing therapy practices Evaluating the pros and cons of this new approach Thank you to CyNam for sponsor...

In this special episode of Cyber Made Human, Alice Violet sits down with Charlie Kelly and Derek Ahmedzai to discuss the most haunting cyber and AI fails of 2025.We delve into the inside details behind CrowdStrike, the organisation behind the hacking of M&S, as well as the controversial views of Elon Musk's chatbot Grok, and the growing dependence on AI for emotional support among a new genera...

Host Alice Violet explores the work of the National Signals Intelligence and Security Trust (NSIST), an organisation preserving Britain’s signals intelligence and cybersecurity heritage. From wartime codebreaking to the birth of modern computing, discover why the past of cyber matters for our digital future. Topics we cover in this episode: The secret role of signals intelligence in World War II H...

What can we learn from how the ultra-wealthy stay safe online? Alice Violet speaks with Harry from Coc00n, who protects UHNWIs from some of the most advanced cyber threats in the world. They discuss deepfakes, social engineering, children’s online safety, and why workarounds are the biggest enemy of good cybersecurity. Whether you’re a billionaire or just want to keep your family safe, this episod...

What happens when anyone can make a convincing fake? In this episode, we get practical about deepfakes: consent, intellectual property, data privacy, misinformation, and what “responsible AI” actually looks like for creators and brands. We cover: When a deepfake is parody vs harm (and why consent matters) IP, datasets, training ethics and the open-source grey zone Using brand avatars and synthetic...

Host Alice Violet sits down with cybersecurity leader Cath Golding (formerly of GCHQ, now Critical National Infrastructure) for an in-depth conversation on translating cyber risk into clear, business-relevant language. From leadership to technical teams, this episode dives into: Why fear-based cyber marketing fails—and what to do instead Communicating cyber risk to CEOs, investors, and everyday us...

Government-scale ambition meets start-up speed live at the Cyber Made Human Series 2 launch party in Cheltenham. Host Alice Violet interviews BBC-award-winning inventor-turned-GovTech founder Rebecca Bishop (Zest Intelligence) on: Turning heavyweight compliance (Cyber Essentials, ISO, GDPR) into a competitive edge Why “speedboats” (start-ups) still need life-jackets—risk, resilience and funding re...

Quantum vs. Blockchain: who wins the next cyber arms race? In this episode of Cyber Made Human , host Alice Violet sits down with Joe Cox Lecturer in Cyber Security at the University of Gloucestershire , to unpack: What is a blockchain? Why quantum computing threatens today’s encryption standards The scramble for post-quantum algorithms and NIST’s looming deadlines Digital warfare, zero-trust, and...

Should Apple be forced to weaken encryption to comply with UK law? In this episode of Cyber Made Human, Alice Violet is joined by cybersecurity expert Paul "Duck" Ducklin 🦆 to debate the growing challenge of technical innovation and government legislation. They explore Apple’s move to pull their enhanced iCloud Plus service from the UK in response to legislation which would require them to weaken...

What happens when you combine 27 years in government cybersecurity with Silicon Valley startup culture? In this episode, Mark Adams joins Alice Violet to discuss responsible AI, startup resilience, and the deep cultural divide between US and UK tech scenes. They dive into the rise of AI, its ethical grey areas, and how deep tech innovation can thrive outside of London. Expect insights on his lates...

Welcome back to Cyber Made Human, the podcast that makes complex cyber topics accessible to all. I'm your host, Alice Violet, and this is part two of our eye-opening discussion with Nakshanthra Suresh. In part one, we explored online harassment and stranger-based stalking through the misuse of social apps like Strava. If you haven’t checked that out, be sure to listen before diving into part two....

Alice Violet is joined by Nakshathra Suresh, a cyber safety researcher and co-founder of Eiris , to dive deep into the intricate world of digital footprints. Together, they explore the hidden dangers of what we share online —from fitness apps that can expose your location to the unsettling rise of AI-powered chatbots influencing our mental health and social interactions.  Nakshathra shares her exp...

In 2024, we will face a cost-of-living crisis, a digital skills gap, and artificial intelligence's ability to write essays and summarise reports on our behalf. What does this mean for education, especially in tech and cyber? Host Alice Violet is joined by Clare Marchant, Vice Chancellor of Gloucestershire University to discuss this, leadership and the future of education. 🎧 Listen now! Want t...

What was your first full-time day job? Our latest Cyber Made Human guest, Rowan Edlington, is a nuclear cybersecurity specialist. You might wonder how on earth someone gets such a complex first job. The answer is apprenticeships, in this case, NCSC Accredited Level 6 Undergraduate Degree Apprenticeships with Gloucestershire College . Rowan joined me for our first recording in our brand new podcast...

The faceless crime of romance scams results in the loss of not only a relationship but also the identity of the person in the stolen photographs. In part three of our romance scam mini-series, Ruth Grover from Scam Haters United shares the story of Edward, a man whose identity has been used thousands of times in various scams. We explore a particularly intense case where a victim, unable to distin...

In part two of our mini series into romance scams   Kerry Tomlinson , shares how the scammer had a harrowing conversation with her fictional 13-year-old son and what happened when she finally confronted him. Have you listened to part one yet? If not, do that first! Kerry shares her extraordinary experience of going undercover to expose the world of romance scams. Join us as we uncover the deceptiv...

In this gripping episode of Cyber Made Human host and producer Alice Violet is joined by Kerry Tomlinson , an Emmy-awarded journalist with a talent for investigative storytelling. Kerry shares her extraordinary experience of going undercover to expose the world of romance scams.  Kerry reveals how scammers exploit the human need for connection, using sophisticated psychological tactics to manipula...

Join us for an insightful episode of Cyber Made Human where host Alice Violet is joined by Debbie McCormack of the Cyber Scheme. The two discuss the power of language in cybersecurity as two women who moved into the industry later in life. Stats show women often leave the industry so it's not just about attracting them, but also retention. We delve into how certain terms can deter people from...

Join Alice Violet in this intriguing Episode 5 of 'Cyber Made Human', featuring cybersecurity expert Paul 'Duck' Ducklin. Dive into the enigmatic world of quantum computing and its implications for cybersecurity. Is the 'Quantum Apocalypse' a sensationalised myth or a real threat looming over our digital world? Duck and Alice demystify complex concepts, using simple languag...

In this special live episode from the South Gloucestershire Business Show , host Alice Violet is joined by Floren Cabrera F. de Teresa to discuss the power of creativity in elevating cybersecurity. We explore beyond the conventional image of cybersecurity as a monochromatic field of codes and protocols: 🎨The role of ingenuity and creative problem-solving in outsmarting cyber threats. 🎨The use of...

In Episode 3 of Cyber Made Human, we sit down with the founder of Digital Woof and INSINTO; Adam Bolas . We examine critical yet often overlooked aspects of cybersecurity and AI through a lens of child safety.  We discuss what those lengthy terms and conditions in apps mean for your data privacy and intellectual property, especially when interacting with AI platforms like GPT. We also address the...

Join host Alice Violet as we delve into the intriguing journey of James Linton, a former web designer who became a cybersecurity sensation. We uncover how a dull day job and a frustrating experience with Barclays Bank set James on a path to phishing high-profile targets like Harvey Weinstein and even the White House. We'll also dive into topics like political motivations behind hacking, the ro...