Breaking the Intelligence-Defense Divide with Scott Scher
Update: 2025-08-13
Description
Cyber threat intelligence is often misunderstood, seen as a niche reporting function instead of the connective tissue that links defenders, leaders, and strategy.
In this episode of Data Security Decoded, join Caleb Tolin as he sits down with Scott Scher, a cyber threat intelligence (CTI) expert with an unconventional backstory, to explore how his off‑grid years shaped his view on resilience, why CTI should be seen as “counter‑threat intelligence,” and how intelligence defenders, and policy teams can work as one to turn raw data into actionable security decisions.
What You’ll Learn:
- The mindset shift from cyber threat intelligence to cyber counter-threat intelligence
- Why threat intel must not just inform, but recommend actions for defenders
- How intelligence insights serve as “cover” for defenders, offering justification and prioritization for security decisions
- Why we should think of intelligence, defenders, and policy teams as part of a formula, not opposing forces
- How Scott’s off-grid lifestyle shaped his view on resilience, preparedness, and technology dependency
Episode Highlights:
[00:01 ] Scott’s unconventional path from off‑grid homesteading to cybersecurity
[03:47 ] Breaking the “versus” mindset: How intelligence, defenders, and policy work as a formula
[08:19 ] What CTI and defenders really need to understand about each other
[12:45 ] CTI as “cover”: Giving defenders justification and prioritization for key decisions
[17:45 ] How CTI helps organizations protect their most sensitive data
[03:47 ] Breaking the “versus” mindset: How intelligence, defenders, and policy work as a formula
[08:19 ] What CTI and defenders really need to understand about each other
[12:45 ] CTI as “cover”: Giving defenders justification and prioritization for key decisions
[17:45 ] How CTI helps organizations protect their most sensitive data
Episode Resources:
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