Ep 73: AI, Quantum, and Cybersecurity: Protecting Critical Infrastructure in a Digital World

In this episode, host Aaron Crow is joined by Kathryn Wang, Principal of Public Sector at SandboxAQ, for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about the critical role AI and quantum technology are playing in today's cybersecurity landscape.

Kathryn and Aaron break down complex concepts like quantum cryptography and the growing risks of deepfakes, data poisoning, and behavioral warfare - all with real-world examples that hit close to home. They dig into why cryptographic resilience is now more urgent than ever, how AI can both strengthen and threaten our defenses, and why your grandma shouldn’t be left in charge of her own data security.

From lessons learned in power plants and national defense to the nuances of protecting everything from nuclear codes to family recipes, this episode dives deep into how we can balance innovation with critical risk management.

Kathryn shares practical advice on securing the basics, educating your network, and making smart decisions about what truly needs to be connected to AI. Whether you’re an IT, OT, or cybersecurity professional—or just trying to keep ahead of the next cyber threat - this episode will arm you with insights, strategies, and a little bit of much-needed perspective. Tune in for a mix of expert knowledge, humor, and actionable takeaways to help you protect it all.

Key Moments:

04:02 "Securing Assets in Post-Quantum Era"

07:44 AI and Cybersecurity Concerns

12:26 "Full-Time Job: Crafting LLM Prompts"

15:28 AI Vulnerabilities Exploited at DEFCON

19:30 AI Data Poisoning Concerns

20:21 AI Vulnerability in Critical Infrastructure

23:45 Deepfake Threats and Cybersecurity Concerns

28:34 Question Everything: Trust, Verify, Repeat

33:20 "Digital Systems' Security Vulnerabilities"

35:12 Digital Awareness for Children

39:10 "Understanding Data Privacy Risks"

43:31 "Leveling Up: VCs Embrace Futurism"

45:16 AI-Powered Personalized Medicine

About the guest :

Kathryn Wang is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of leadership in the technology and security sectors, specializing in the fusion of cutting-edge innovations and cybersecurity strategies.

She currently serves as the Public Sector Principal at SandboxAQ, where she bridges advancements in post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and data protection with the mission-critical needs of government agencies. Her work focuses on equipping these organizations with a zero-trust approach to securing sensitive systems against the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats.

During her 16-year tenure at Google and its incubator Area120, Kathryn drove global efforts to develop and implement Secure by Design principles in emerging technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI.

How to connect Kathryn :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-wang/

Connect With Aaron Crow: