We’re already in World War III—just not the kind you’re thinking of. Cyber warfare is here, and the battlefield is your inbox, your bank account, and your digital identity. So why are we still acting like it’s peacetime?

Dr. Eric Cole, cybersecurity pioneer and former CIA hacker, joins the show to drop hard truths about the state of cyber warfare, AI’s role in our digital future, and why most people are sleepwalking through a war they don’t even realize they’re in. From the rise of deepfakes to North Korea’s billion-dollar hacking economy, this episode is one you can’t afford to ignore.

Impactful Moments:

00:00 - Introduction 02:00 - Dr. Eric Cole’s journey from the CIA to cybersecurity leadership 07:20 - The fundamentals of hacking and why they still matter 11:00 - AI is only as smart as the data we give it 17:00 - The rise of deepfakes and digital deception 19:45 - Cyber warfare: How North Korea funds its economy through hacking 23:50 - The problem with America’s peacetime mentality 30:00 - Should we be worried about AI replacing humans? 36:10 - The key to success: mastering people skills, not just tech skills 40:30 - Final thoughts and where to follow Dr. Eric Cole

Connect with Dr. Eric Cole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericcole1/

Check out Dr. Eric Cole’s books –

Cyber Crisis: Protecting Your Business from Real Threats in the Virtual World: https://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Crisis-Protecting-Business-Threats/dp/B093X3YNPT

Online Danger: How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from the Evil Side of the Internet: https://www.amazon.com/Online-Danger-Protect-Yourself-Internet-ebook/dp/B078WK39TT

Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/