Ransomware operators are no longer 'hackers'. It's business. And management is responsible
In the end the interview turns to the future – artificial intelligence, the cloud, and how cyber threats increasingly intersect with everyday life. Dependence on digital services is growing, along with the impacts of outages, supplier mistakes, or the human factor.
Cyberattacks have long ceased to be chaotic attempts by individuals. Today's ransomware groups operate like organized companies – they have processes, hierarchy, negotiation scenarios and clear pricing. That's exactly what the interview with Michalem Zedníčkem, Head of Cyber Security at ALEF and chair of the working group AFCEA Czech Chapter, is about.
In the episode we talk about how the reality of cybersecurity in the Czech Republic has changed over the past ten years, why security can no longer be treated merely as an IT problem, and what role company and institution management plays in all of this.
Cybersecurity as a system, not technology
One of the main topics is the role of working groups within AFCEA Czech Chapter. Their goal is not just technical awareness, but primarily connecting people, sharing experiences and education in areas that often remain "below the surface". It is precisely the details that are easily overlooked that today decide whether an organization weathers an attack – or not.
Audit, risks and practical realities
The interview also touches on the difference between a classic audit and a deep technical risk analysis. Not everything can be checked down to the last detail, but at the same time it holds that without consistency and a systematic approach security is hard to advance. Cybersecurity is not a one-off project, but a long-term process.
Ransomware as an organized business
A crucial part of the episode is dedicated to ransomware. Not as a technical attack, but as an economic model. Attackers today know very well whom they target, how much they can afford to ask for, and how to negotiate. They often decide as pragmatically as ordinary companies – where the defense is strong, an attack simply doesn't "pay off" for them.
The new cybersecurity law and the role of leadership
The new cybersecurity law significantly shifts responsibility towards top management. It's no longer just about technical measures, but about risk management, decision-making, and the personal responsibility of organizational leadership. According to Michala Zedníčka, this change in mindset is crucial.
The future of threats: AI, cloud and everyday life
In the end the interview turns to the future – artificial intelligence, the cloud, and how cyber threats increasingly intersect with everyday life. Dependence on digital services is growing, along with the impacts of outages, supplier mistakes, or the human factor.
🎥 You can find the full episode in the video above.
🔐 The bonus section is available to subscribers of CZECH CYBER TV+.