Ep. 32 - Ransom Wars: Are States Losing Control of Cyberspace? ft. Cyber Expert Max Smeets

Ep. 32 - Ransom Wars: Are States Losing Control of Cyberspace? ft. Cyber Expert Max Smeets

Author: Anirudh Suri May 29, 2025 Duration: 1:33:43

In the latest episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, cyber conflict expert Max Smeets—senior researcher at ETH Zurich and co-director of Virtual Routes—draws on his books “No Shortcuts” and “Ransom War” to explore why most states struggle to build effective cyber forces and how ransomware has become a major national security threat. He breaks down the contrasting cyber strategies of the US, China, and Russia, the rise of professionalized ransomware groups like Conti, and what it takes for governments to build capable cyber commands. A must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the evolving frontlines of cyber conflict.

Chapters

00:00 Trailer

03:37 Introduction to the Great Tech Game Podcast

03:51 Meet Max Smeets: Cybersecurity Expert

06:04 Max's Journey from Finance to Cyber Warfare

08:22 Discussing No Shortcuts: Challenges in Cyber Command

17:11 Global Cyber Strategies: US vs China

27:09 Building Cyber Capacity: The PETIO Framework

46:38 Ransomware: A Growing National Security Threat

52:03 Evolution of Ransomware

53:30 The Rise of Conti

55:03 Global Ransomware Landscape

59:14 Ransomware Trust Paradox

1:02:48 Conti Group and the MOB Framework

1:09:45 Ransomware Attack Lifecycle

1:19:36 Government Responses to Ransomware

1:25:25 Comparing Ransomware to APTs and Terrorist Groups

1:29:14 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts

Book Links:

By Max Smeets

No Shortcuts: Why States Struggle to Develop a Military Cyber-Force:-https://a.co/d/03FfTol

Ransom War: How Cyber Crime Became a Threat to National Security:-https://a.co/d/2FuXaWS

By Anirudh Suri:

The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My

Follow Anirudh here:

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuri

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.in

Website: http://www.anirudhsuri.com/

Book and Podcast: http://www.greattechgame.com/


#cyber #cybersecurity #cyberwarfare #ransomware #cybercrime #hackers #tech #geopolitics #thegreattechgame #thegreattechgamepodcast #tgtgpodcast #anirudhsuri #maxsmeets


Anirudh Suri sits at a unique crossroads, drawing from his experience as a tech venture capitalist and policy advisor to frame some of today's most pressing questions. In The Great Tech Game Podcast: Geopolitics, Technology, Business and Global Affairs, with Anirudh Suri, he moves beyond surface-level news to explore how technological shifts are actively redrawing the lines of global power and economic opportunity. Each episode is built around a conversation with a carefully selected thinker, from entrepreneurs and investors to strategists and scholars, who can unpack the real-world implications of these converging forces. You'll hear specific discussions on how supply chains are being reshaped by policy, what the race for semiconductors means for national security, and how business strategies must adapt in a fragmenting digital world. The dialogue is grounded in Anirudh's perspective as the author of *The Great Tech Game*, ensuring a consistent, insightful thread through diverse topics. This isn't about abstract theory; it's about understanding the tangible game board where technology decisions collide with geopolitical realities. Tuning into this podcast provides a clearer lens on the forces shaping your industry, investments, and the broader global landscape, offering depth and context that daily headlines often miss.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Great Tech Game Podcast: Geopolitics, Technology, Business and Global Affairs, with Anirudh Suri
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