Detonation Point

Jim Meehan, Director of DFIR Global Investigation and Threat Intelligence at Verizon and former U.S. Secret Service special agent, joins Detonation Point presented by Elastio to discuss the evolution of cybercrime, from payment card fraud to modern ransomware operations. Drawing on decades of investigative experience, Jim shares lessons from major cybercrime cases, the importance of international...

Joe McCormack, communication expert, author, and founder of The Brief Lab, joins Detonation Point presented by Elastio to discuss why so many briefings, presentations, and emails fail, and what leaders can do to communicate more effectively. Drawing from his experience working with senior executives, government agencies, and elite military organizations, Joe shares practical strategies for communi...

Crime prevention expert, self-defense instructor, and author S. Gale Bleth joins Detonation Point presented by Elastio to discuss her book A.W.A.R.E. and practical safety habits everyone should develop before going out into the world. Drawing from decades of experience in personal safety, higher education, and law enforcement, Gale shares how situational awareness, good decision-making, and prepar...

Former Deputy U.S. Marshal and retired FBI Special Agent, Duncan Edwards joins Detonation Point presented by Elastio to discuss his career in federal law enforcement and his current role as a senior investigator at SpyCloud. Duncan shares stories from hunting fugitives with the U.S. Marshals Service, working cyber and crimes against children investigations in the FBI, and how investigators are ada...

After a 25-year career with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Sean Fitzgerald joins Detonation Point presented by Elastio to discuss his journey from a U.S. Customs intern in Chicago to leading some of the agency's most complex investigations. Sean shares stories from the early days of federal law enforcement, the creation of HSI after 9/11, major cartel and financial crime investigations, a...

Three generations of O'Neills discuss historic assassination attempts, life in the Secret Service, campaign travel, international assignments, and the evolution of investigative technology over five decades. Key Takeaways Historic assassination attempts highlight the challenges of threat assessment and protective operations. Life in the Secret Service required extensive travel, adaptability, and t...

Sam Curet, Director of Fraud Intelligence at SpyCloud and former counter-human trafficking investigator, joins host Matt O’Neill to discuss the evolution of cybercrime and how criminals use stolen credentials, online identities, and social engineering to scale fraud. In this episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio , Matt and Sam explore human trafficking investigations, account takeovers,...

Jenny Menna, Chief Security Officer at Sallie Mae and former DHS cybersecurity leader, joins host Matt O’Neill to discuss the evolution of cyber leadership across government and industry. In this episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio, Jenny shares lessons from her time at DHS during the early rise of advanced persistent threats, how public-private partnerships have shaped cybersecurity...

Chris Hallberg, former Army National Guard Staff Sergeant and founder of Business Sergeant, joins host Matt O’Neill to explore how military leadership principles translate into high-performing business teams. In this episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio, Chris shares how commitment, accountability, and structured systems drive results, and why most organizations struggle with execution...

Elliott Franklin, cybersecurity leader and CISO at Fortitude Re, joins host Matt O’Neill to share insights on building effective security programs, avoiding vendor fatigue, and focusing on fundamentals over shiny tools.  In this episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio, discover practical advice for CISOs and security teams to prioritize risk management, streamline security stacks, and fos...

Mike Burnett, former Secret Service agent and current COO of Stratoscope, joins host Matt O’Neill to discuss his transition into the private sector, how to reframe your skillset for business, and why many professionals underestimate their value. They also explore the evolving security landscape, including AI, robotics, and global threat shifts, and debate whether the Secret Service needs structura...

Stephen Dougherty, CEO of Rexxfield and returning guest, joins host Matt O’Neill to unpack the latest IC3 report, a major international fraud investigation, and how today’s scam networks impact victims, before shifting into Eagles draft strategy, Flyers hockey, and Philly sports. From global cybercrime to whether the Birds should go offensive line at 23, it’s a mix of serious insight and classic P...

Drones are evolving faster than defenses, and the gap is becoming a serious security risk. Logan Harris, founder of Spotter Global, joins Matt O’Neill to explain how drone threats have shifted from RF-controlled systems to autonomous and fiber optic “dark drones” that are difficult to stop. With decades of experience in radar and defense technology, Logan shares how compact surveillance radar beca...

Most cybersecurity training doesn’t work… and it may actually be making your organization less secure. Craig Taylor of CyberHoot joins Matt O’Neill to break down why phishing tests, punishment-based training, and compliance checklists fail to change employee behavior. With 30+ years in cybersecurity and a background in psychology, Craig shares a different approach focused on engagement, reinforcem...

Your phone is the easiest way for hackers to access your data… and most people don’t realize how exposed they are. Rivka Tadjer joins Matt O’Neill to break down how cybercrime really works: from SIM swapping and account takeovers to data breaches and the dark web economy. With decades of experience in cybersecurity and fintech, Rivka explains how cybercriminals target individuals and the practical...

Award winning author and keynote speaker Robert Siciliano joins Matt O’Neill to discuss cybersecurity, identity theft, and why human behavior remains the weakest link in security. This episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio explores Robert’s journey into security, the failures of traditional awareness training, and practical ways individuals can better protect themselves in a data-driven...

Derek Wood joins host Matt O’Neill to explore how AI, startups, and modern technology trends are reshaping business, security, and society. The episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio covers Derek’s experience in the startup ecosystem, the changing role of venture capital, the growing trust gap around AI, and how automation may fundamentally reshape the workforce. Derek and Matt also exam...

Hieu Ngo returns to Detonation Point presented by Elastio to discuss the evolving world of financial cybercrime. Hieu and host Matt O’Neill break down how modern scam factories operate, why pig butchering scams remain so profitable, and how criminals are using technologies like AI and biometric bypass tools to scale their operations. The episode also explores how law enforcement, tech companies, a...

Matt O'Neill interviews Earl Stafford Jr., CEO of Aperio Global, discussing leadership, entrepreneurship, and the evolving landscape of technology in government and business. Earl shares his journey to becoming an entrepreneur, the importance of authenticity and trust in business relationships, and the critical role of investing in people. This episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio also...

Matt O'Neill and Mike Centrella discuss their early careers in the Secret Service, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of proving oneself in various roles. They delve into the current cybersecurity landscape, emphasizing the need for information sharing and collaboration between public and private sectors. In this conservation of Detonation Point presented by Elastio , O'Neill and Cen...

Host Matt O’Neill sits down with Ron Green, who shares his journey from growing up in Northeast Philadelphia to attending West Point, from suture salesman to Secret Service agent, and ultimately to executive leadership in the private sector.  In this episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio , Ron shares stories from the Army and the Secret Service, reflects on the early days of cyber inves...

Host Matt O’Neill and Zack Martin, Sales and BD Lead at CipherOwl, a blockchain analytics company, explore the intricacies of sales in both government and commercial sectors. They discuss the evolution of sales in the digital age, the importance of trust and authenticity, and the impact of AI on sales processes. The conversation emphasizes curiosity, problem-solving, and building genuine relations...

In this conversation, Sierra Perna from Warhorse Cyber discusses the critical importance of cybersecurity for small businesses, emphasizing the accessibility of their services and the real costs associated with cyber incidents. She highlights the vulnerabilities that small businesses face, the impact of cyber incidents beyond technical issues, and the necessity of effective communication and leade...

In this episode, Cezary Podkul, an award-winning investigative journalist, discusses his journey into journalism, his transition to cybercrime reporting, and the alarming rise of scams such as unemployment insurance fraud and pig butchering scams. He shares insights into the complexities of human trafficking within cybercrime compounds and the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating these...

In this episode of Detonation Point presented by Elastio, host Matt O’Neill welcomes Ronnie Tokazowski, a leading expert in combating business email compromise (BEC) and other cybercrimes. They delve into the evolution of BEC from its early days in 2015 to its peak as the number one cybercrime, responsible for billions in losses annually. Ronnie shares his frustrations with the lack of attention f...