The CI-Press Podcast

CI Press, Episode 22: Unraveling the Art of Deception with Cryptologist Dave Snell

Join your co-hosts Jeremy Clark and Ryan Rambo in an intriguing episode of CI Press: The Counterintelligence Podcast as they dive deep into the evolving realm of counterintelligence and deception with their guest, Dave Snell, a retired Navy cryptologist.
Explore how corporate environments are becoming battlegrounds for counterintelligence, paralleling their historic governmental roots. Delve into famed espionage cases, including the Walker incident, 1985 dubbed the 'Year of the Spy,' and analyze their impacts with Dave's insightful commentary.
Discover the art and history of deception and how it's meticulously crafted and executed, using World War II examples like Operation Mincemeat, and ponder on the looming disruption posed by quantum computing in the realm of cryptology. Engage with us as Dave shares his career journey, insights into military deception, and the critical role of counterintelligence in today’s complex threat landscape. This insightful conversation promises a fascinating look into protecting secrets and the relentless pursuit of truth in the world of intelligence.

CI Press, Episode 21: Demystifying Counterintelligence Part 8 - The Importance of Employee Reporting

The episode features an engaging conversation between hosts Ryan Rambo and Jeremy Clark, highlighting the importance of employee reporting in both government and corporate environments.
They discuss the significance of counterintelligence and the role it plays in safeguarding people, technology, and information. The hosts share insights from their experiences, emphasizing the need for proper training and policies to encourage effective reporting.
As Ryan and Jeremy reflect on their journey in creating impactful podcast episodes, they celebrate their milestone of surpassing 20 episodes and express excitement about future topics and guest appearances.
Throughout the episode, they stress the critical importance of reporting suspicious activities and foreign contacts to enhance security and mitigate risks.

CI Press, Episode 20: Navigating the Challenges of a Modern CISO with Don Kleoppel

In this episode of the CI Press podcast, co-hosts Jeremy Clark and Ryan Rambo dive into the fascinating world of corporate counterintelligence and cybersecurity. They are joined by Don Kleoppel, a veteran in the field with nearly 30 years of experience as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Don shares his journey from a COBOL programmer to leading security operations in major corporations, highlighting the evolution of the CISO role over the decades.
The discussion covers Don’s innovative strategies for integrating physical and cyber security, the importance of developing a counterintelligence and insider threat program, and the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing.
Listeners will gain insights into the importance of networking, continuous learning, and maintaining both technical and business acumen to succeed in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity. Don's unique perspective on blending technology with strategic business management offers invaluable advice for aspiring CISOs and security professionals.

CI Press, Episode 19: Rewriting the CI Playbook, a conversation with Shane McNeil

In the latest CI Press episode, co-hosts Ryan Rambo and Jeremy Clark engage counterintelligence (CI) expert Shane McNeil for a deep dive into the shifting CI landscape. McNeil dissects the current state of CI, spotlighting the mounting challenges agencies face in a complex global security environment, such as the Cold War with China pitting the U.S. against a tech-savvy rival. He argues that traditional tactics are increasingly obsolete against emerging threats, underscoring the urgent need for CI to evolve in step with technological breakthroughs and geopolitical shifts.
McNeil envisions a future where CI adapts to rapid advancements like artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities, integrating cutting-edge tools and strategies to stay ahead. He stresses the value of cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration to drive modernization and offers practical recommendations to bridge today’s practices with tomorrow’s demands. His insights emphasize ensuring CI remains a robust shield for national security against evolving and unpredictable threats.

CI Press, Episode 18: Demystifying Counterintelligence Series Part 7 (Corporate CI Programs)

In this engaging episode of the podcast, hosts Jeremy Clark and Ryan Rambo dive deep into the intriguing world of corporate counterintelligence programs. With their extensive expertise and unique perspectives, they shed light on the critical role that counterintelligence plays in safeguarding businesses from internal and external threats. Throughout the discussion, Jeremy and Ryan explore the intricacies of developing and implementing effective counterintelligence policies tailored to the specific needs of modern corporations. They break down the essential processes involved, offering practical insights into how companies can proactively identify vulnerabilities, monitor suspicious activities, and mitigate risks before they escalate into costly breaches or leaks of sensitive information.
The episode also tackles the strategic question of where a counterintelligence program should be positioned within a company's organizational structure for maximum impact. Jeremy and Ryan debate the pros and cons of various approaches, whether embedding it within security teams, aligning it with risk management divisions, or establishing it as a standalone entity reporting directly to executive leadership. They provide real-world examples and actionable advice, making the conversation both informative and accessible to business leaders, security professionals, and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes efforts to protect corporate assets. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of how counterintelligence functions as a vital shield in today’s competitive and often unpredictable corporate landscape.

CI Press, Episode 17: Demystifying Counterintelligence Part 6 (CI vs HUMINT)

In this engaging episode, hosts Jeremy Clark and Ryan Rambo explore the nuanced distinctions between counterintelligence (CI) and human intelligence (HUMINT), two critical disciplines within the intelligence community. These terms are frequently conflated under the umbrella designation "CI/HUMINT," leading to misunderstandings about their unique roles and objectives. Through an in-depth discussion, Jeremy and Ryan delineate the fundamental differences between these fields, examining their applications from both governmental and corporate perspectives.
The conversation illuminates how counterintelligence is primarily dedicated to safeguarding sensitive information and thwarting adversarial threats, serving as a protective shield for organizations and nations alike. In contrast, human intelligence—alongside other intelligence-gathering disciplines—focuses on the proactive collection of actionable insights, often through interpersonal engagement and source development. By unpacking these concepts with clarity and expertise, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of how CI and HUMINT operate distinctly yet complementarily within the broader intelligence framework.
This episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of these vital topics, enriched by the hosts' insights and real-world examples. We invite you to tune in and join us for this fascinating discussion. As always, we value your thoughts and encourage you to share your feedback, which helps us continue to deliver content that informs and inspires.

CI Press, Episode 16: A Fireside Chat on Counterintelligence Covering Agent Programs

In this episode, co-hosts Jeremy Clark and Ryan Rambo sit by the fire with special guests Scott Sparks, Joe Sheridan, and Dave Turner for an engaging discussion on the vital role of a counterintelligence covering agent program. Tune in as they share gripping stories, insider insights, and expert perspectives on how these programs protect equities, outsmart adversaries, and strengthen security in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

CI Press, Episode 15: Uncovering the Shadows of Counterintelligence History Part 1

Demystifying CI Series Part 4.  In this episode, Jeremy Clark and Ryan Rambo discuss the incredible history of the world's third oldest profession - counterintelligence.  Listen along as we take you from the Egyptian era up to World War II in this first part.  In the second part, we'll discuss the Cold War up to present day.  We hope you enjoy this episode and look forward to your feedback.

CI Press, Episode 14: The Important Role of Facility Security Officers with Jeff Bennett

Join co-hosts Jeremy Clark and Ryan Rambo in this episode of CI Press: The Counterintelligence Podcast, as they dive into a captivating discussion with security expert Jeff Bennett. Explore the evolving world of facility security officers (FSOs), insider threats, and the challenges of navigating the complex National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) and Security Executive Agent Directive-3 (SEAD-3).
With a rich military background and extensive experience in industrial security, Jeff shares his insights on transitioning from an Army intelligence analyst to a leader in the defense industry. Discover the critical role FSOs play in safeguarding classified information and the complexities of managing facility, and individual, security clearances.
Learn about the future of security processes, the integration of technology, and Jeff’s personal journey in endurance racing. This episode offers valuable perspectives for industry professionals, and anyone interested in the intersection of security and technology.

CI Press, Episode 13: Demystifying Counterintelligence Part 3 - The How

Join co-hosts Jeremy Clark and Ryan Rambo, as they lead an engaging discussion on the expansive field of counterintelligence. This episode dives into the nitty-gritty of essential counterintelligence functions, from reactive investigations to proactive operations.Jeremy and Ryan candidly explore how counterintelligence is not reactive, but about understanding, predicting, and neutralizing threats through a series of strategic proactive functions. They dive into real-world applications, the importance of data collections, the role of technology, and how it all ties into a cohesive strategy for national and corporate security.Join them as they discuss how analysts connect the dots to transform raw data into actionable intelligence and the critical support provided by technical services, including polygraphs, surveillance, and cybersecurity.Whether you're a professional in the field or just curious about the inner workings of counterintelligence, this episode offers valuable insights into protecting what matters most. Tune in to learn how these pivotal practices shape the ongoing battle against espionage and insider threats.