The Cybersecurity Podcast

The Business of Ransomware: How Attacks Are Planned and Negotiated- Part 2

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0600

What really unfolds once a ransomware attack hits?

In this episode of The Cybersecurity podcast by EC-Council, host Jay Bavisi sits down with Kurtis Minder — a ransomware negotiator and cyber intelligence specialist who operates inside the ransomware underground.

With years of experience observing, engaging, and negotiating with ransomware #groups, building human intelligence networks, and guiding organizations through active attacks, Kurtis reveals how ransomware truly works.

This episode explores:
- How ransomware gangs are organized and why they run like companies
- What real ransom negotiations sound like behind closed doors
- Why these talks often last weeks instead of hours
- How automation and #ai are reshaping ransomware campaigns
- What happens when double extortion and data leaks come into play
- You’ll also hear stories from Kurtis’s earliest negotiations, incidents that went off track, and why understanding attacker psychology is essential to defending against cybercrime.

This episode delivers an insider’s view of ransomware, built on real-world incidents, hard decisions, and the realities organizations face under pressure.

The Business of Ransomware: How Attacks Are Planned and Negotiated- Part 1

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0600

What really happens after a ransomware attack?

In this episode of The Cybersecurity Podcast by EC-Council, host Jay Bavisi is joined by  Kurtis Minder, a ransomware negotiator and cyber intelligence expert who works deep within the ransomware ecosystem.

After spending years studying and engaging with ransomware groups, building #human intelligence #networks, and supporting organizations during live ransomware incidents, he shares how ransomware actually works beyond headlines, assumptions, and surface-level narratives.

This episode covers:

How ransomware groups are structured and why they operate like businesses

What negotiation conversations with attackers actually look like

Why ransomware negotiations often take weeks, not hours

The growing role of automation and ai in ransomware operations

Double extortion, data leaks, and scenarios where negotiations break down

Learn more about the firsthand stories from Kurtis’s early negotiations, cases that went wrong, and why understanding attacker motivation plays a critical role in effective cyber defense.

This episode offers a practical, experience-led perspective on ransomware shaped by real incidents, real decisions, and real consequences faced by organizations under attack.

Jay Bavisi on AI, Cybersecurity, and the HUGE Talent Gap (RSA 2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:00:00 -0600

Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace—but is cybersecurity keeping up?

In this exclusive interview from RSA 2026, Amber Pedroncelli sits down with Jay Bavisi (CEO of EC-Council) to break down the biggest challenges facing cybersecurity leaders today. From AI adoption to governance gaps, the conversation reveals why organizations may be moving faster than they can securely manage.

💡 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
• Why AI is outpacing cybersecurity frameworks
• The shocking stat: only 18% of major companies have AI governance in place
• How CISOs are being “steamrolled” by rapid AI adoption
• The growing AI cybersecurity talent gap
• Why some jobs will disappear—but many new roles will be created
• The biggest risks: prompt injection, data poisoning, and AI attacks
• Introducing the ADG Framework: Adopt, Defend, Govern

🚀 As AI reshapes industries, cybersecurity professionals must adapt quickly—or risk falling behind. This discussion explores what organizations must do now to secure the future of AI.

👤 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿
Jay Bavisi is the CEO of EC-Council and a global leader in cybersecurity education and workforce development.