Cyber Threats and Intelligence
Cyber Threats and Intelligence: Insights from Former CIA CCI Director Andy Boyd
This video features an animated classroom short titled “My Dad Hacks for the CIA,” followed by a deep-dive interview between Ron Gula and Andy Boyd, former CIA cyber chief. They discuss offensive cyber operations, national cybersecurity, regulation, public-private cooperation, AI risks, and evolving global threats shaping the future of cyber policy.
Synopsis
In this episode of Gula Tech Adventures, Ron Gula presents a two-part feature: an animated short and an in-depth interview with Andy Boyd, former director of the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence (CCI).
The animated short, “My Dad Hacks for the CIA,” takes place in a classroom where a father visits for career day. His profession—hacking for the CIA—sparks curious, humorous, and revealing questions from students. Through playful dialogue, the video explores real concepts like foreign intelligence operations, online anonymity, and the responsibility of using cyber capabilities, while cautioning kids about digital interactions.
The conversation shifts gears in the second half, where Ron interviews Andy Boyd, a seasoned intelligence veteran with experience spanning the Air Force, State Department, and CIA. Andy discusses the evolution of offensive cyber operations, the role of CCI, and why cybersecurity needs to be a whole-of-nation effort. They reflect on events like Salt Typhoon, critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, and how public-private partnerships can become essential tools in defending against nation-state and ransomware threats.
Boyd advocates for updated cyber legislation, deeper integration between government and tech providers, and regulation of AI and data privacy. He also warns that a lack of coordination may leave the U.S. behind adversaries like China, who effectively blend commercial and national cyber capabilities.
The interview concludes with a look at the future of cybersecurity—how education, policy, and offensive capabilities must evolve to meet threats from disinformation to industrial sabotage. With insights drawn from decades of service and strategic leadership, Boyd stresses that cybersecurity is no longer a niche field—it’s national defense, and everyone has a role to play.
This episode is a must-watch for policymakers, cyber professionals, educators, and anyone curious about the real work behind America’s cyber intelligence community.